1 Corinthians 12:8-11 - Tongues

[Jim Watt]

"*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES*

*Jim & Marie Watt*

*Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com*

*Web: www.2rbetter.org*

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<http://www.2rbetter.org/>*


   *1 COR 12:8-11 - TONGUES, GLOSsa, 50x, Strong #1100*

*BENEFITS OF DAILY USE OF PRAYER LANGUAGE - INDIVIDUAL & CORPORATE*

*MEDICAL REASON: FOR PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT*


 Dr. Carl Peterson of O.R.U. in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a brain specialist. He
was doing research on the relationship between the brain and praying in the
Spirit, or speaking in tongues. Some amazing things were discovered! Through
research and testing, Dr. Peterson found that as we pray in the Spirit (our
heavenly language), there is activity that begins in the brain. As we engage
in our heavenly language, the brain releases two chemical secretions that
are directed into our immune system, giving a 35 to 40% boost to our immune
system. This promotes healing within our bodies.


 Amazingly, this secretion is triggered from a part of the brain that has no
other apparent activity in humans, and we don't use it. It is only activated
by our praying in the Spirit. Therefore, we need to pray in our prayer
language more than we ever have before.


 Acts 2:4 (1-4,Amplified Bible) *"And they were all filled (diffused
throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
(different foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them
clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]."*


 Jude 20 (17-23, Amplified Bible) *But you, beloved, build yourselves up
[founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice
higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit."*


 *NOTE**:* Years ago Pastor Dr. David Yonggi Cho of Seoul, South Korea
quoted a medical doctor in one of his books. It was not the same as the
insights of Dr. Peterson, but it was somewhat parallel. According to the
best of my memory, this other doctor scientifically discovered that when
believers audibly spoke in their devotional prayer language, a release took
place that built up such people in an unusual way in the inward man. This
certainly corroborates the Spirit-inspired teaching of the apostle Paul.


 Mark 16:17-18 (9-18, NNT) *TONGUES: ONE OF THE 5 SIGNS PROMISED BY JESUS TO
BELIEVERS. "And these signs shall follow them that have believed: in my
:name shall they cast out demons, speak with tongues; 17 and in their hands
they shall take up serpents, and if they drink aught deadly, it shall in no
wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover." *Bible
Numerics is God's infallible signature. It deftly moves through the
conclusions of the "Bible Critics", confirming where they were right, and
conversely - correcting where they were wrong. In the 8th portion of the
Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6, "Thine is the kingdom etc." - Yes - they were
right. This was an eager-beaver copyist's addition. But John 8:1-11, the
woman caught in the act of adultery - *This* is a bona-fide part of the NT
text! And Mark 16:9-20, left out of the NT by the majority of the "Bible
Criticism School" - Bible Numerics is so magnified in this portion, that if
any part of the NT should be omitted, this would be the very last portion to
go!


 2 Timothy 2:15 (2:14-26) *RIGHTLY** DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTHL "Give
diligence to present yourself approved to :God, a workman that needs not to
be shamed, rightly dividing the word of the truth." *This verse was chosen
by Lance Latham of Chicago years ago for a Boys' Club that he named *AWANA -
APPROVED WORKMEN ARE NOT ASHAMED.* He proved that boys who learned to
rightly divide the word of truth, succeeded in life percentage wise to an
unusual degree.


 1 Corinthians 13:1 (12:31b-13:13) *DIVIDE BETWEEN TONGUES OF MEN AND
ANGELS. DIVIDE BETWEEN THE GIFT OF TONGUES AND DEVOTIONAL PRAYER LANGUAGE.
"If with the tongues of :men I speak, and of :angels, but have not love, I
am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal." *All apart from "rightly
dividing", whether we speak of the *gift* of tongues or the devotional
prayer language, either one, without love, avails little.


 1 Corinthians 14:37 14:37-40) *RECOGNIZE THE LORD SPEAKING THROUGH NT
WRITERS. "If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take
knowledge of what things I write you, that it is the Lord's commandment." *This
word needs to be repeated again and again. Many professing believers feel
that Paul's words are not on the level with those of Jesus. *False!* It is
not just the words of Jesus in the Gospels that should be in red - but all
His words through all other writers of the NT. This is a most serious
observation, and most upsetting to many who reject the words of Jesus
through Paul especially. Paul''s words on worship and tongues in 1
Corinthians 14 are really *not* his words, but the words of Jesus through
him. When Israel in the OT rejected the words of Moses, he made the same
observation. Israel was not rejecting *his* words, but the words of *Jehovah
* through him!


 1 Corinthians 7:10-12; 39-40 (7:8-40) *EXCEPTION: PAUL SPEAKS HERE, NOT THE
LORD. "But to the married I have charge, not I, but the Lord, That a wife
depart not from a husband 11 (but and if she depart, let her remain
unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband); and that a husband leave not
his wife. 12 But to the rest say I , not the Lord: If any brother has an
unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave
her. 39 A wife is bound for so long time as the husband lives; but if the
husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will; only
in the Lord. But she is more blessed if she abide as she is after my
:judgment: and I think that I also have God's Spirit.* This is the only
passage in Scripture where the apostle Paul speaks on his own, apart from a
command of the Lord speaking through him. Yet because of his faithfulness in
the past, he believes he has her the Lord's confirmation.


 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (14:1-19) *PAUL'S TESTIMONY CONCERNING HIS USE OF
TONGUES. "I thank :God, I speak with a tongue more than you all: 19 but in
church I would rather speak five words with my :understanding that I might
instruct others also, then ten thousand words in a tongue. *Here is a very
clear illustration where one needs to rightly divide between the *gift of
tongues* and *one's devotional prayer language*.


 1 Corinthians 14:5 (14:1-19) *PAUL'S DESIRE FOR US CONCERNING THE GIFT.
"Now I would you all to speak in tongues, but rather that you prophesy: and
greater he that prophesies than who speaks in tongues, except he interpret,
that the church receive edification." *Do all have the gift of *tongues* or
prophecy? *No!* - Yet all may have devotional tongues. Notice here, that
Paul by the Spirit makes tongues and interpretation equal to prophecy. That
is why the Menorah in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle of Moses could have
but 7 branches, not 9 - like in the hanukkiah Therefore later in this
chapter (14:26-33) when Paul gives rules of order for the most edifying way
to have the manifestation of tongues and prophecy in a meeting, we can see
the close connection in his rulings. Some feel Paul is quenching their
spirits when he does so. *Not so* - these are rules of the Lord for
edification, not selfish manifestation of the few! Now consider the verse
that follows.


 1 Corinthians 12:28-31a (14:12-31a) * TONGUES, LIKE APOSTLES,: NOT ALL HAVE
THESE GIFTS! "And :God **has set** some in the church, first apostles,
second prophets, third teachers, then powers, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, **kinds of tongues**. **29** Are all apostles? are all
prophets? are all teachers? are all power workers**? **have all gifts of
healings? **speak all in tongues**? do all interpret? **31a **But desire
earnestly the greater :gifts." *Consider the above questions by the Spirit
through Paul. The Greek construction in each case automatically requires the
answer of *No!* Not all are apostles, and *not all* have the *gift of
tongues!* Yet, all may have devotional tongues, making the distinctions
noted above. Some Bible teachers believe that more Christians may have the
gift of prophecy than the gift of tongues. The Gift of tongues is speaking
in a language known by men on earth, but unknown to the speaker. It is
supernatural. It is therefore a sign to the unbeliever. Stanley Frodsham
prior to the '48 Visitation, wrote a book entitled "With Signs Following,"
in which he recounts over 100 instances of this gift. Many have come to the
Lord through this supernatural manifestation. Because of lack of discerning
between the gift of tongues and one's devotional prayer language, much
misunderstanding has of course followed.


 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (12:1-11) *THE NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, INCLUDING
TONGUES. "But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit **to :profit*
*. **8** For to one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom; and to
another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: **9** to another
faith, in the same spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one
Spirit; **10** and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy;
and to another discernings of spirits; to another kinds of tongues; and to
another interpretation of tongues; **11** but all these work the one and the
same Spirit, dividing to each severally **even as he wills**." *Henry
Blackaby carefully points out that each of these 9 gifts are *not* for the
personal edification of the user, but for the *church*. We are *not* to use
any of the gifts of the Spirit for personal edification - they are to profit
others. This understanding helps to prevent much abuse. Notice too that the
gift of discernings of spirits comes between the gift of prophecy and the
gift of tongues. These two gifts of utterance lead easily to pride and self
exaltation. This leads to the possibility of demonic entrance. But the
discernings of spirits coming between these two, protect the church from
abuse of these two gifts.


 1 Corinthians 14:2 (1-19) *DEVOTIONAL TONGUES: GIVES DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD.
" For who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one
hears; but in spirit he speaks myteries." *Again, rightly dividing the word
of truth, it is obvious that Paul here is *not* speaking of the *gift*, but
of the devotional prayer language. What a blessing to have this direct
access to God, Spirit to spirit. The human mind does not have understanding,
but the spirit is tremendously edified. Smith Wigglesworth made use of this
hours each day, and testified that *this* was the secret of his ministry,
with perhaps 2 million coming to Christ, and tens of thousands healed and
delivered. Note also that this communication for the believer is speaking *
mysteries.* Pray then for the gift of interpretation, and the mind can also
be edified. Paul unveiled *many* mysteries, especially the mystery of the
"One New Man." No doubt he received this when praying in his devotional
prayer language those 3 years in the desert following his conversion, and
then receiving the interpretation.


 1 Corinthians 14:4 (1-19) *DEVOTIONAL TONGUES: A WAY TO BUILD UP YOUR
SPIRIT. "Who speaks in a tongue **builds up himself**; but who prophesies
builds up the church." *Pastor Dr. David Yonggi Cho and Smith Wigglesworth
are leading exponents of those who availed themselves of this privilege.


 1 Corinthians 14:13-19 (1-19) *PRACTICAL TEACHING ON TONGUES, BOTH GIFT &
DEVOTIONAL.*

Note: The context following each verse is established by Bible Numerics.
Ivan Panin believed we can trust it!

"*Wherefore let him that speaks in a tongue pray that he interpret.
**14**For if I pray in a tongue, my :spirit prays, but my
:understanding is
unfruitful. **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. 16 Else if you bless in spirit, how shall
who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen at your :giving of thanks,
seeing he knows not what you say? 17 For you truly give thanks well, but the
other is not built up. **18** I thank :God,I speak with a tongue more than
you all: **19** but in church I would **rather** speak five words with my
:understanding that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in
a tongue." *Yet Paul in his devotional prayer language exceeded all others
in its use.* *I personally believe that the total contexts for tongues,
encourages us to believe for interpretation for both the *gift* and for *
devotional* tongues. Note too the Spirit's exhortation through Paul to both
*pray* and *sing* in the Spirit. There are some who, because of lack of
understanding the difference between the gift of tongues and ones'
devotional prayer language, disallow singing in the Spirit in the church,
either individually or corporately, because they require interpretation in
all cases. *This is wrong!* "40 Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of
Mrs. Marie Woodworth-Etter" abundantly makes this clear. I read this book in
1944, and God made clear to me as a new believer, that in the not too
distant future I would see "The Heavenly Choir" restored. This took place in
Edmonton in October, 1948. Singing in the spirit, either individually or
corporately, is making use of one's devotional prayer language, and *does
not* require one to give an interpretation. One man in Western Canada has
written a book on this subject erroneously, bringing confusion to
individuals and the church.


 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (20-25) *ANOTHER INSIGHT ON TONGUES. "In the law it
is written, [that] By strange-tongued and by lips of strangers will I speak
to this :people; and not even thus will they listen to me, says **the**Lord.
**22** So that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the
unbelieving: but prophecy is not to the unbelieving, but to the believing."
* This hearkens back to Frodsham's book, "With Signs Following." Paul here
quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12 (28:9-13,ASV) *"Nay, but by **men of** strange
lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; **12** to whom he
said, **This is the rest**, give rest to him that is weary; **and this is
the refreshing**: yet they would not hear." *So devotional prayer language
is *rest and refreshing* in the spirit for one using it. But the *Gift of
tongues* is a sign for the unbelieving, bringing many of them to Christ.


 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 14:37-40) *FORBID NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES! ** **"So
then, my brethren, desire* *earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak
with tongues. **49** But let all **things** be done decently and in order."
*Would to God all would hear these dual exhortations.


 1 Corinthians 14:26-29 (14:26-33) *EDIFYING: THE RULE FOR ALL GIFTS. "What
is it then, brethren? When you come together, **each** has a psalm, has a
teaching, has a revelation, has **a tongue**, has an interpretation. Let all
**things** **be** unto **edifying**. **27** If any speaks in a tongue, **let
it be** by two, or at the most three, **and in turn**; and let one
interpret: **28** but if **there** be no interpreter, let him be silent in
church; and let him speak to himself, and to :God. **29 **And let prophets
speak **by** two or three, **and let the others discern."* Ern Baxter in his
church in Surrey BC, observed this. And after the church gleaned from the
preceding 2 o 3 messages, he would ask - "Now is there anything the Spirit
would have us act upon in the light of this Living Word?" Verse 28 then is
literally a correction - for every member participating in every service
would bring great confusion! Les Pritchard saw it this way. Notice too, that
discernings of spirits comes between tongues and interpretation - and
prophecy. Many a time a message will come that needs to be corrected, for an
evil spirit has inspired the user, *not* the Holy Spirit! This happened in a
church in Tacoma years ago. The pastor witnessed that a visitor had brought
a false prophecy. He immediately went to the 4 or 5 elders sharing the
platform with him, and got their confirmation. Then he waited for the
visiting brother to finish. When he was through the pastor said, "Now
church, I have checked with the elders, and we do not witness that our
brother's prophecy was of the Lord. If he would like, we would be glad to
meet with him following the service. But now church - Let's go on with the
service." *This* is both a discernings of spirits and a word of wisdom.


 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23 (5:12-24) *QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT. "Quench not the
Spirit; **20** despise not prophesyings; **21** but prove all **things**;
hold fast what is good; **22** abstain from every form of evil. **23** And
the God of :peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your :spirit and
:soul and :body be preserved entire, without blame at the presence of our
:Lord Jesus Christ." *Make no mistake - we are quenching the Spirit if we do
not encourage individual and corporate singing in the spirit from a
"devotional prayer tongue" sense apart from legal requirement, over against
the interpretation requirement for the "gift of tongues." Let us
*rightly*divide the Word of Truth!


 *CONCLUSION*: J. E. Stiles wrote a book entitled "The Gift of the Holy
Spirit". This and other writings came out at the same time as the 1948
Northern Canada Visitation. Some called it "The Episcopalian Bible" - it was
so used by the Historic Churches at the time of the Charismatic Renewal. One
of his studies was over a score of reasons why believers should use their
devotional prayer language much every day. The above notes I am sure would
confirm what was written by Brother Stiles. He also felt that it was
unnecessary to "tarry" for the gift of the Holy Spirit following Pentecost.
Indeed, Jesus commanded the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until that time,
but from then on we are to follow Acts 2:38. There in the "Peter Package,"
we need to have a Scriptural repentance and baptism - and then immediately
through the laying on of hands we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We saw hundreds receive this way in 1948 in the light of Pastor Stile's
exhortation.


 Can people have an anointing apart from a devotional prayer language? Of
course! See John Wesley, George Muller and Oswald Chambers as examples. They
were *much* in prayer over the Word, but did not move in tongues. This
produces an anointing and release of other gifts of the Spirit, which these
3 shared in abundance. Out of 70,000 Wesleyan members who attended class
meetings, fully half faithfully and daily used their devotional prayer
language. John Wesley affirmed - "I neither encouraged nor discouraged the
speaking in tongues. But of the 50% of my ministers who moved in this favor,
I noted that they were amongst my most zealous soul winners." - Jim Watt















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