Note for 2024/05/17

‭1 Corinthians 14:1-40 KJV‬

[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. [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. [3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. [4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. [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. [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? [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? [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. [10] 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. [12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. [13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. [14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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 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. [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. [20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. [21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. [22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. [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? [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. [26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. [27] 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. [29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. [31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. [32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. [35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. [36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? [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. [38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. [39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.14.1-40.KJV

Friends, do you see how Paul is still speaking of the Spiritual gifts here? He is laying down the order of things in the church. So, if you hold by what he has written and, like me, believe it to be the Word of GOD shared, even to this very day; then you must hold on to all he has written by the Holy Spirit.

Can we judge the Word of GOD? And I am not speaking of what I am writing, though I am convinced I write here by the Holy Spirit too; but I am speaking about that which is written in the Word of GOD, which we all have in common. Read then what Paul wrote about the gift of prophecy, which is to make known the Word and Will of GOD. If I then accomplish nothing this day but this, believe the Word of GOD you read. All of it.

Now, the harder part of this chapter, but I will have to preface it just a little for the sake of those who are still opinionated. Does the Word of GOD speak on the Law and Prophets? Does it give us the Words of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us? Do you believe? Well, this word also speaks of these things here in this chapter, that what we do should edify the church. That includes the order of things in church. All that is written here. You see, then it is not I that say it but the Word of GOD. What have you read here then? Or are you partial to what is written here because of a personal opinion? If you change what is written here to suit yourself, then you have become part of those who divide the church. Read for yourself what the Word says here.

Now, shall I then ask, where are the prophets in your congregations? Shall I ask, where is the Speaking in tongues, without acknowledging that it is a gift of the Spirit and that not all speak in tongues, and more specifically not amongst others? I can only confirm the Word as it is written here by Paul, for in the Spirit it rings true too and I can say, Amen.

What then of the things that people do not want to hear, even believers today? Is it permitted for us to give ourselves over to fornication and idols? No, because we have read it in the Word of GOD. Then what else is written in the Word of GOD, more specifically here in our reading today? Then it is not I that say it, but it is I that confirm that I believe the Word of GOD.

So, what is the order in your congregations? Is there a need for correction in the operations? Don't you know Paul wrote the epistles to establish the order of things in the church too? He addressed then what was found to be going wrong in the churches. Then, if that same matter is in view today, must the order that Paul gave then, not still apply today? I say again, what then must be in the church today, which is no longer in order, as it is written here?

I have been outspoken about the inclination of the human soul to excuse himself and justify his own actions. Do not let that prevent you from correction. If we were perfect, then Christ died needlessly. But, we are not, so are we saved by what Christ Jesus did for us. The Word we have today, survived a great ordeal over many generations. How then do we, who stand so easily in error, judge the Word of GOD of when it is true and when not? It is ALWAYS TRUE, and when we do not agree, we stand in rebellion. Yes, it is hard to hear, but, I would rather be hard on that, so your Spiritual growth may happen with speed. For we are living in godless times, and the doctrines of man, their opinions have defiled the Word of GOD. I agree with all of God's Word. GOD knows the state of my heart. Yes, I agree with all the Word of GOD, even when it exposes error in me. I wash my thoughts and deeds, by the Word of GOD, for GOD is love, thus is His Word for our benefit. The Word gives us order from the Kingdom of GOD. So when it says, love your neighbor as yourself, that is what I set my heart to do. That is what I demand of my heart and all my actions. But, I ask you again, what does the Word say here today? Do you believe the Word of GOD to be the Authority of GOD'S Will?

Then, what is the state of your congregations? Who is speaking and who is silenced? Who is judged? It is written here, see? Or is the order of things in church determined by public opinion, what then of the broad and narrow way?

Friends, the church is not part of a democracy, it is subject to a KING! Do you understand the difference, how then would we yearn to be a part of GOD'S KINGDOM? KINGDOM! Subject to the KING of kings. His rule and reign. Who then rules and makes the laws, and includes or expels? The Word of GOD then comes as the KING'S decree. It is not open for opinion, what then is rebellion but treason?

Now, there is much more to understand, but it may serve us all well to reflect on this for a while. God is Love, that He proved in Jesus Christ, but He remains on His Throne, as the Most High GOD, the Creator of us all.

Shalom.

Verse of the Day

(Verse 19 from YouVersion Bible App expanded for context)

‭Matthew 28:18-20 KJV‬

[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.18-20.KJV

Search This Blog

The House of Bread