speak in Tongues (non-existent today)
1 Corinthians 13:8, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away"
Highlights the enduring nature of godly love. This verse contrasts the eternal and unwavering quality of love with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts like prophecies, tongues, and knowledge. These gifts are essential for edifying the church and spreading the gospel, but they are finite and will serve their intended roles within the church age.
Scripture also recognize that these gifts will continue until the end of the age when
"that which is perfect is come" (
1 Corinthians 13:10). This phrase is interpreted as
referring to the culmination of God's plan and the return of Christ,
(not the finished canon of Scripture or end of Apostolic Age) when believers will experience complete understanding and fulfillment in His presence. At that time, prophecies, tongues, and partial knowledge will no longer be needed as they will be surpassed by the perfect knowledge and revelation found in Christ.
In contrast, charity—selfless, sacrificial love modeled after Christ's love—is eternal and foundational to the Christian faith. It persists beyond the temporal expressions of spiritual gifts because it reflects the very nature of God Himself (
1 John 4:8). Scripture emphasizes the importance of cultivating this love in all aspects of life, as it transcends the transient nature of gifts and endures throughout eternity. This perspective encourages believers to prioritize love above all else, knowing that it is the enduring mark of a life lived in communion with God and in service to others.
1 Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part"
Acknowledges the limitations of human understanding and spiritual revelation in relation to the vastness of God's wisdom and knowledge. This verse underscores the belief that while believers receive divine insights and messages through prophetic utterances and spiritual gifts, these revelations are partial and incomplete compared to the fullness of God's truth. This as a reminder of the need for humility and dependency on God's Spirit in interpreting and applying spiritual revelations.
The phrase "we know in part" acknowledges that human knowledge and understanding are finite and subject to our current perspectives and experiences. It emphasizes the ongoing journey of growth and learning in faith, recognizing that our understanding of spiritual truths is progressive and evolving. Similarly, "we prophesy in part" highlights that the prophetic messages received are not exhaustive or complete revelations but are delivered according to God's timing and purpose. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit intended for edification, exhortation, and comfort within the church community (
1 Corinthians 14:3).
1 Corinthians 12:29-30, "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing?
do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"
Addresses the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, emphasizing that not every believer will have the same role or gift. The church is likened to a body, with each member having a distinct function, and all are necessary for the health and growth of the church. This diversity ensures that the church operates effectively, with apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, those with gifts of healing, and others each contributing uniquely to the mission of the church.
It is important to distinguish between the different types of speaking in tongues mentioned in the New Testament. The Bible teaches that speaking in tongues serves different purposes and contexts. First, there is speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, which is a private and personal experience for every believer baptized in the Holy Ghost. This experience is a sign of the New Birth and is distinct from the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12.
Second,
the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 refers to the specific gift of tongues used in a public worship setting. This gift, meant for the edification of the church, typically occurs
during quiet spiritual moments and requires interpretation. Not all believers will possess this particular gift, just as not all are apostles, prophets, or teachers. This public exercise of the gift of tongues, accompanied by interpretation, is different from the personal prayer language experienced by individuals when they receive the Holy Spirit.
In summary, while every believer is encouraged to seek and receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as a personal experience, the specific gift of tongues used in church settings for communal edification and requiring interpretation is given according to God’s sovereign will and purpose. This distinction clarifies the different roles of speaking in tongues within the body of Christ, both for individual spiritual growth and for the edification of the church.
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