The New Testament always gives a doctrinal basis for Christian behavior. The primary emphasis of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 is that the biblical procedure for the use of tongues is to be systematic and orderly, according to dive pattern — Contrary to the confused way in which the Corinthian believers seemed to do everything. They were not interested in serving, learning, or edifying, but only in self-expression and self-glory. Everyone was vieing for attention and preeminence. In light of such confusion and disorder, Paul gives a clear command: “Let all things be done for edification” (v26) The spiritual lives of Christians need to built up and improved, expanded to fulness and completeness. Edification is a major responsibility of church leaders (Ephesians 4:11-12), but it is also the responsibility of all other Christians. What builds other us is also the very thing that brings harmony within the church. Just as anything that is selfish brings disharmony. We must understand that as believers we are built up by only one thing, THE WORD OF GOD! That is the tool that every believer needs to be skilled in understanding. This week look to build up your brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask yourself what … READ MORE

1 Corinthians 14 is an unusually important section, because it gives a clear picture of what the gift of tongues was designed to do and therefore gives another basic criterion for judging whether or not that gift is valid today. Beginning in verse 20 Paul begins to explain the true purpose of tongues, and quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12, where hundreds of years before Christ, the Lord told Israel that one day He would speak to this people by strange tongues from the lips of strangers. despite this miraculous sign, however, Israel would not listen to God. The heart of chapter 14 and the most important truth about this phenomenon is that it was given as a sign to unbelieving Israel. This gift was a three-fold sign, one of curse, blessing and authority. A curse, because it proclaimed that God was setting Israel aside for a time, to work through another people group (today that is the church – cf. Romans 9-11). A blessing, in that God was still offering salvation to mankind, but in a new and more complete way. And authority, because it demonstrated to the early church that God sanctioned the message of the Apostles. Yet through it … READ MORE