“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11)
The Basket Case Chronicles #164
“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?” (1 Cor. 14:6).
Paul allows that speaking in tongues in private is an edifying activity. A man by himself can edify himself by speaking in tongues (v. 4). He may be ministered to in the spirit because he is the only one in the room. But if there are others in the room, then their edification is only possible if there is content.
So, Paul says, if I come to you speaking in tongues, there is no profit in it. The only way there is profit is if content is given by one of three supernatural methods—revelation, knowledge, or prophesying—or by opening the Bible and teaching expositionally, which is doctrine.
Tongues speaking in a group (even when it is the genuine gift of tongues) has no point of edification. There is one good thing that can come from it, as we will see later in this chapter, but if love for your brother is your goal, tongues speaking in the congregation is to be discouraged.
“opening the Bible and teaching expositionally, which is doctrine”
Yes, and so is showing show how lillies get clothed through no effort of their own.
Bible expositors don’t have a corner on the doctrine market.
I’m confused, here. If speaking in tongues amongst the brethren is not edifying – presumably b/c others do not understand it, then how is it edifying to the one speaking it, even if they are alone? Assuming they do not understand it, then how does it edify him? I think I need some sorting out related to what he’s said in other posts. Are we talking about real languages or “mysterious” languages? If real ones, then what would be the point or benefit of a person speaking in tongues while alone, assuming they do not understand what tongue they are… Read more »
Eric,
I don’t think he was actually limiting it to expository preaching, but any sort of teaching or conveyance of the Word that is faithfully “exposing” it, whether it be actual preaching from the pulpit, or a father explaining something to his kids, or a friend helping a friend open up and apply God’s Word to all of life. The point is it’s rooted in the Word and expository in nature, regardless of the forum or form of presentation.
Eric, since your example was of the Word Himself expositing, I’m not sure it proves much. It’s either the Word, or the Word.
So… Is this post directed because of something the Pastor recently had to deal with in his own church…. or are we throwing a rock through someone else’s stained glass window?
I don’t picture the Christ Kirk there in Moscow as a big “Tongues speaking” sort of place…. but perhaps, I could be wrong…..
John C.,
I’m not sure, but it’s possible that Pr. Wilson has been doing something like a long slow blog-posting through 1 Corinthians over the past 4 years or so. But it was probably all so he could throw stones at the Charismatic church windows down the street. Talk about working the long game.