Tongues and Prophecy - Part 1
.... In our previous posting we described how an utterance in tongues will essentially takes the form of a psalm. This brings us to a controversial point regarding the interpre- tation of tongues (which, I am sorry to say, may offend some Christians; but if you’re one of them I ask you to please hear me patiently.)
.... In the modern church, when the interpretation of a tongue is given, it will often be vocalized in the form of a prophecy: "Yes My children, thus says the Lord . . ." but a fundamental mistake is being made in doing this. It’s not totally wrong, but an adjustment is needed.
.... When a tongue is given, we know that the underlying message is not a prophecy, so the interpretation can not be a prophecy either:
.... "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God . . ."
(1 Corinthians 14:2)
.... If the original message was not spoken to men, but to God, then how can the interpretation be: "Yes My children, thus says the Lord . . ." with a message spoken to men? This would be entirely backward and would miss the underlying intention. So, where does our modern misunderstanding come from? Many Christians believe the interpretation of tongues will appear as prophecy based on the following passage:
.... "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification."
(1 Corinthians 14:5)
.... Paul is telling us that the interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy, 
but this does not make them the same thing. For example, let’s say that two people had $1,000 each, and one used his money to buy a fishing boat. The other bought a computer. Each object is of equal value; each is worth $1,000; yet they serve two very different purposes. Such is the case with prophecy and the interpretation of tongues: they are equal in value yet different in purpose. We will continue this discussion in our next posting.
To proceed to the next lesson, click here
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12
posted by Cleopas at 12:31 AM
1 Comments:
The interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy, but they are not identical. In fact, if the interpretation was a prophecy, that would make it superior to ordinary prophecy.
Think about it. As we have discussed, prophecy must be judged. But who has ever heard of the interpretation of a tongue being judged, when it comes forth as prophecy? Or where does the Bible say that we must judge it? I would then argue that if tongues equal prophecy, then the interpretation of tongues is superior to prophecy, for once it is given it stands unchallenged.
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Cleopas, at 12/18/2005 10:34 PM
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