1. In the Power of His Might
NEXT SLIDE: Lesson 2

2. The Gifts of Prophecy and the Interpretation of Tongues
LESSON 12
The Gifts of Prophecy and the Interpretation of Tongues

3. This lesson focuses on 1 Corinthians 14, which continues in the theme of Chapter 13:

4. This lesson focuses on 1 Corinthians 14, which continues in the theme of Chapter 13:
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

5. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

6. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
“Charity” is an old English word for the selfless and sacrificial love personified by Christ.

7. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Christian love is the guiding principle in the proper use of the gifts of the Spirit.

8. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
The reason why Paul prefers the gift of prophecy will soon become clear.
But first, here is a simple explanation of the gift of prophecy:

9. The gift of prophecy is the tool used by the Spirit to give utterance to a message from the LORD directed to a certain individual or group, voiced in a language that is understood by the person speaking.

10. Remember, the primary use of the gift of tongues is for speaking to God.

11. 1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Remember, the primary use of the gift of tongues is for speaking to God.

12. But the gift of prophecy is the Holy Spirit’s tool for bringing a message from the LORD to his people.

13. 1 Corinthians 14:3
But he that prophesieth
speaketh unto men
to edification,
and exhortation,
and comfort.
But the gift of prophecy is the Holy Spirit’s tool for bringing a message from the LORD to his people.

14. 1 Corinthians 14:3
But he that prophesieth
speaketh unto men
to edification,
and exhortation,
and comfort.
A genuine word of prophecy will fit into these three categories:

15. Words of EDIFICATION minister grace:
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

16. But sometimes the truth can hurt!
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

17. Isaiah 30:9-10
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
God forbid we only want to hear “smooth things.”

18. 2 Peter 3:1
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

19. 2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

20. 2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
We know what happens to paint left sitting in the can.

21. Words of COMFORT soothe our distress.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

22. Words of COMFORT soothe our distress.
People ask,
Where was Jesus when I needed him?

23. Words of COMFORT soothe our distress.
He was there through you.

24. Speaking in tongues strengthens the person using the gift.
Words of prophecy strengthen the entire congregation.

25. Speaking in tongues strengthens the person using the gift.
Words of prophecy strengthen the entire congregation.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;
but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

26. That is why prophecy is the preferred gift in church …
EXCEPT when tongues are interpreted.

27. 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
That is why prophecy is the preferred gift in church …
EXCEPT when tongues are interpreted.

28. PROPHECY is greater than TONGUES, but
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
PROPHECY is greater than TONGUES,
but
TONGUES + INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES = PROPHECY

29. 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
When the gift of tongues is used in conjunction with the gift of the interpretation of tongues, there is the same benefit to the congregation as the gift of prophecy – the church is edified.

30. The gift of the interpretation of tongues is the tool used by the Spirit to restate what was spoken in tongues, but this time in a language that is understood by the person speaking.

31. The gift of the interpretation of tongues is the tool used by the Spirit to restate what was spoken in tongues, but this time in a language that is understood by the person speaking.
The Holy Spirit does the interpreting, not the person. The person is the mouthpiece for the interpretation.

32. What is better – prophecy or tongues?
It depends on the situation.

33. 1 Corinthians 14:6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
What is better – prophecy or tongues?
It depends on the situation.

34. 1 Corinthians 14:6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
If you want your words to benefit others, they must be understood.
Otherwise it is just noise in their ears.

35. 1 Corinthians 14:7-8
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

36. 1 Corinthians 14:9
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
The Tower of Babel

37. 1 Corinthians 14: There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

38. 1 Corinthians 14: There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

39. Our zeal for spiritual things must be governed by love.

40. 1 Corinthians 14:12
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Our zeal for spiritual things must be governed by love.

41. Speaking in tongues is only beneficial to the congregation when it is interpreted. That is why everyone who has the gift of tongues should also have the gift of the interpretation of tongues.

42. Speaking in tongues is only beneficial to the congregation when it is interpreted. That is why everyone who has the gift of tongues should also have the gift of the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:13
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

43. 1 Corinthians 14:13
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
This gift is received through prayer.

44. Again, speaking in tongues benefits a man’s spirit, but not his understanding.

45. 1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Again, speaking in tongues benefits a man’s spirit, but not his understanding.

46. 1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
And so, God gives us two ways to pray – with the spirit and with the understanding – each one having a particular benefit:

47. 1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then?
I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
And so, God gives us two ways to pray – with the spirit and with the understanding – each one having a particular benefit:

48. And by using the gift most appropriate to the situation, we will do what is best for others, and not only ourselves:

49. 1 Corinthians 14:16-17
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
And by using the gift most appropriate to the situation, we will do what is best for others, and not only ourselves:

50. Now the wisdom behind Paul’s position is clear:

51. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Now the wisdom behind Paul’s position is clear:

52. Sadly, the ignorance and/or disobedience of the people of God in the use of the spiritual gifts has made the Holy Spirit unwelcome in many churches.

53. 1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
Sadly, the ignorance and/or disobedience of the people of God in the use of the spiritual gifts has made the Holy Spirit unwelcome in many churches.

54. 1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

55. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

56. The rules are not hard to understand.

57. 1 Corinthians 14: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
The rules are not hard to understand.

58. God is not responsible for the strange things associated with the spiritual gifts:

59. 1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
God is not responsible for the strange things associated with the spiritual gifts:

60. No Christian should doubt the veracity of Paul’s instruction to the church:

61. 1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

62. 1 Corinthians 14:38
But if any man be ignorant,
let him be ignorant.

63. 1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

65. Test Your Understanding of Lesson 11
What is the governing principle for the use of the spiritual gifts?

66. Test Your Understanding of Lesson 12
What is the governing principle for the use of the spiritual gifts?
To speak in tongues is to speak to ______; to speak by prophecy is to speak to ____________.

67. Test Your Understanding of Lesson 11
What is the governing principle for the use of the spiritual gifts?
To speak in tongues is to speak to ______; to speak by prophecy is to speak to ____________.
When are tongues and prophecy equal in value to the church?

68. Test Your Understanding of Lesson 11
What is the governing principle for the use of the spiritual gifts?
To speak in tongues is to speak to ______; to speak by prophecy is to speak to ____________.
When are tongues and prophecy equal in value to the church?
How do you receive the gift of the interpretation of tongues?

69. Test Your Understanding of Lesson 11
What is the governing principle for the use of the spiritual gifts?
To speak in tongues is to speak to ______; to speak by prophecy is to speak to ____________.
When are tongues and prophecy equal in value to the church?
How do you receive the gift of the interpretation of tongues?
How much responsibility does God have for confusion in the church?