Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2 Corinthians 1:21-24

Notice the Triune language Paul is using here about God, “Now He (Father) which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us is God, who has also sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” Wow, talk about an amazing revelation by Paul about how our salvation works with God. I highly recommend you analyze these scriptures with multiple translations to get the full context

As Jesus said “Nobody comes to me unless the Father draws them” (John 6:44) I know this can be a controversial text, however its in alignment with what Paul is saying here also “The Father establishes us with You in Christ” the Greek word here for establishes can also secure or guarantee! The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all essential in the process of our salvation, to remove any from the Triunity of God is to misunderstand God

Paul also said God has anointed us, isn’t this a wonderful revelation, to know you have been anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit, you don’t have to feel insecure with your salvation in Christ, you have been guaranteed salvation. Some people strangely don’t like this promise, they want to waver daily on whether they are saved or not, when you have become Born Again in Christ, you can’t be unregenerated, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit!

The Apostle Paul made a similar statement to the Church of Ephesus, “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”(Ephesians 1:13) You were not sealed with the uncertainty, you were sealed with a promise, when God makes a promise you can trust and believe, take comfort in knowing you will never be forsaken by your Heavenly Father

Often people want to view salvation as if God is dangling a carrot in front of them, God is not the author of confusion, when you are saved in Christ, you are saved, it’s a guaranteed done deal. This idea that we worship an insecure God that changes his mind every day is not Biblical

God the Father establishes and anoints us in Jesus Christ and we are sealed and baptized by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

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. 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? 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: 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. 1 Corinthians 14:22-25

The Apostle Paul continues to drop more truth bombs on us with his teachings. The first part of his statement is “Tongues are a sign” So , as we established, the speaking of tongues has a reason or purpose, people don’t just randomly babble for no purpose. As we talked about previously, tongues are used for evangelism and for edification within the Church. Unknown tongues are to be spoken in private while alone with God, since there is no interpreter

Paul goes on to say “Tongues are a sign for non-believers, not believers” Now I believe Paul is referring to evangelism of the gospel but also its evidence of God’s presence. Again we see a specific purpose for speaking in tongues, God has a reason for delivering this message. 

Now think about this from a non-Christians perspective, they hear a Christian speaking in tongues, and their first thought is “What is going on here”? I think that is part of the reason, God is grabbing the attention of the unsaved, God is demonstrating a supernatural gift into the natural world. So now what is the response from the non-believer? Are they going to seek this more or are they just going to blow it off as foolishness? Its a heart condition check by God

On the flipside Paul states “Prophecy is for the believer and not the non-believer” So this makes sense, if someone doesn’t believe in God they obviously are not going to be in prophecy. But it also demonstrates the importance of sharing your revelation with the rest of the Church. If God is giving you a prophecy , it needs to be shared with the Church, as it probably effects the Church. 

So just to summarize what Paul is saying towards the end of this “ If a non-Christian witnesses multiple Christians speaking in tongues, their heart condition will be checked” the KJV says “his heart made manifest” , meaning how is this non-believer going to respond to a supernatural event? Are they going to continue to deny God or as Paul says “fall down on his face and worship God”

1. Tongues is a sign of the New Covenant for non-believers
2. Tongues of prophecy are purposed for the Church
3. The response to tongues determines someone’s heart condition towards God

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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 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. 1 Corinthians 14:16-19

The Apostle Paul makes an important statement here “ In the Church, I had rather speak five words with my understanding, than ten thousands words in an unknown tongue” You have heard the phrase quality over quantity, Paul would rather speak only 5 words that was understandable and edifying to the Church than ten thousand words that nobody could understand

Again this goes back to why are we speaking tongues in Church? Are you trying to edify the body of Christ with a message or are you trying to puff yourself up? There has to be a reason and purpose for what your saying, God doesn’t just randomly make up words with no edification. 

As Paul says here also, and I’ll paraphrase, “How can those in the room say “Amen” and they don’t understand what you say” When the Church says Amen , they are agreeing to something being said, the Church can’t agree or they shouldn’t agree, if they don’t understand what is being proclaimed

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 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. 1 Corinthians 14:20-21

It’s interesting here because the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah , there are a couple of things we can conclude from this reference.

 1. Speaking in tongues is a New Covenant practice- as Isaiah referenced , the prophets beforehand spoke in clear language to the people of Israel, yet they still rejected Gods Word, now that the Holy Spirit speaks through foreign tongues, its clear the New Covenant is for All nations and people and not just Israel

2. Speaking in tongues is a sign and confirmation of the New Covenant in Christ. Those who claim Christ is just a renewal of the Mosaic Covenant, would have to dismiss the gifts of speaking in tongues at Pentecost all together

3. Paul warns the Church to be mature in the use of speaking of tongues and not like spiritual children. Even discussing the topic of tongues we see brings a strong reaction and sometimes division among the Church. The use of tongues is a powerful gift given by the Holy Spirit, it should be used with wisdom and caution of Gods providence.

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. 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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 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. 1 Corinthians 14:5-9

Our scriptures today generate some questions, does everyone speak in tongues or prophecy? Secondly, what is the purpose of you speaking in tongues or prophesying? As we talked about previously, there are various spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12, Romans 12) and we all that are Born Again, have a spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit. You may not know or understand what your spiritual gift is at this point, but I can guarantee if you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then He has given you a gift

Now the first question, what is the purpose of you speaking in tongues? God is a God of law and order (1 Cor. 14:33) God doesn’t just create random things to create confusion, there is a purpose and plan for everything He has created, including You! We know in the past that Speaking of Tongues, was instrumental to spreading the gospel very quickly. In fact that might still be the case today, as missionaries go to foreign countries , the Holy Spirit may enable them to share the gospel in their native language. 

There are many today who claim to have the gifts of speaking in tongues, what is the purpose of your gift? Are you using it for the body of Christ to edify or spread the gospel? And what about unknown tongues? What is Gods plan and purpose for this gift? I’m not going to claim to have all the answers, in fact to be honest, speaking in tongues is very mysterious to me. I do believe they are real, because the Word of God says they are real, but I don’t fully understand everything about it

As the Apostle Paul says here “What shall I profit or benefit you” How are these gift going to enhance the Kingdom of God or edify the Body of Christ? That should be the question if you are speaking in tongues or if someone in your Church is also. We know there are some false prophets who fake speaking in tongues to gather attention or to try and demonstrate a greater spiritual authority, but what are they accomplishing? Has anything been edified since they have spoken? Has the gospel been increased?

The Apostle Paul also says here “except you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken”? Again what is the purpose of what is being spoken, if its now understood by anyone? Is this to glorify God or to glorify yourself?

Many false prophets have abused the gifts of the Holy Spirit, lets make sure we are worshiping God in Spirit and Truth, Amen!

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 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.But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  1 Corinthians 14:1-4

 I love how Paul begins this teaching here , he says “Follow after Love and Desire Spiritual Gifts” When it comes to the controversy of Spiritual Gifts, it almost seems like some Christians don’t want any spiritual gifts! As we talked about previously the Holy Spirit is continually active in every believer’s life. You can’t be saved without the Holy Spirit, you can’t be Born Again without the Holy Spirit, you can’t confess Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit.

So when it comes to the topic of spiritual gifts, I don’t understand why it would be hard to believe that some Christians can speak in unknown tongues or still make prophecies. I think the KJV translation brings a little more clarity to this teaching as it states “For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to man but to God” Now I think this clarifies things here a little bit, because the word “tongues” basically just means languages. So to speak in tongues basically just means to prophecy in a different language. Now this is effective if there is a Christian there who can interpret the prophecy in their own language. This is precisely how the gospel message got spread to the entire world so rapidly

So in my opinion , there is nothing “strange fire” about people speaking in “tongues” if its an actual language, Paul goes on to say there are some tongues that are unknown to people speaking to God. Now the problem with our modern day Christianity is we have alot of false prophets who fake speaking in tongues. We have all seen and experienced this probably at one point in our Christian walk, however that doesn’t mean that everyone who speaks in an unknown tongue is false, because Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said it would happen. 

It’s like the gift of healing, I believe God still heals today, even though they are many false prophets who perform fake healings. Does that mean all healings are not valid, of course not. This is the same with tongues and prophecy, just because some people abuse the Holy Spirit, doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit isn’t still alive and working today. 

The Apostle Paul says “He that prophecies speak unto men for edification” Now again , because the cannon of the Bible is closed, many believe prophecy is over. Why? The purpose of prophecy is not just to foretell the future but as Paul says here for edification. When you look at the original Greek word for Prophecy “prophēteuōn” it also means to “speak under inspiration” or “divine” Just because you are “prophesying” doesn’t mean you are adding to the revelation of God, it’s just guidance from God in our daily lives

Going back to Paul’s original statement “Desire Spiritual Gifts”, do you desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit or are you quenching the Holy Spirit? Sometimes we need to step out of our box of theological understanding and trust the Holy Spirit , Amen!

for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

We talked about earlier in my previous post, that every Born Again believer has the Holy Spirit living inside of them and the Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift. These gifts and purposes can vary depending on what your calling is from God. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are to Glorify God and to expand Christs Kingdom, not for us to puff ourselves up

The Apostle Paul here lists some of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers, Wisdom, Knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. Notice what Paul says here “Dividing to every man severally as He will” If someone has the gift of prophecy, don’t get annoyed or jealous with their ministry, God has chosen to appoint them this gift, we are not the Holy Spirit, we can’t give people the gifts of the Holy Spirit, only God can appoint these gifts

With that said, don’t be jealous of a brother or sister who has a gift that you desire. Scripture tells us that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit,  I can tell you I have never spoke in tongues in my life. Should I be concerned or jealous of those who do speak in tongues? No I’m not concerned at all, it’s God’s plan on what gifts he wants to administer to whom. Now I know there are Christians who are going to argue this gift has ceased, I don’t find any scriptural support for that, therefore I will believe what the Bible is saying here. While there will be others who will fake speaking in tongues to demonstrate they have some kind of spiritual authority. I would warn you, this is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, since the Holy Spirit is the only one who distributes these gifts, I would advise you to not mock God

We need to stay Kingdom focused, stop worrying about who has what gift or who doesn’t have a specific gift, we are the body of Christ, together with these gifts we have the power and authority to overcome evil. This is why Satan wants to keep the Church divided, separating these gifts weakens the Church, but united together with the gifts of Holy Spirit, the Church becomes unstoppable, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11)

If you are a Born Again Christian, you have the gift of the Holy Spirit, unite with your brothers and sisters in Christ and build Gods Kingdom, Amen!

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

The gifts of the Holy Spirit is unfortunately another debated topic in Christianity. I think part of the reason is there are many Christians who have abused the Holy Spirit, while there are others that have neglected the Holy Spirit. You will find out when you talk to various Christians, there is a broad spectrum of everyone’s understanding of the Holy Spirit

As we looked over in my previous post about Jesus Is Lord, the Apostle Paul states “Nobody can say Jesus Is Lord without the Holy Spirit” , so if you are Born Again in Christ, it’s because of the Holy Spirit. For a Christian to say the works of the Holy Spirit have ceased, they would have to deny their own salvation. You can’t be saved without the Holy Spirit, you can’t be regenerated without the Holy Spirit, you can’t even know Jesus Christ without the Holy Spirit

With all this said, if you are Born Again in Christ, you have a gift of the Holy Spirit. You may not know what that gift is or maybe you quench the Holy Spirit and don’t use it, but I can guarantee you have been given a gift. The Apostle Paul says “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man (everyone)” There are many different gifts of the Holy Spirit, not just speaking in tongues or prophecy, having the Fear of The Lord is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11) 

We take alot of things for granted in our salvation, we have this attitude or mentality that we just naturally know Christ or have knowledge of God. You don’t have anything without the Holy Spirit. You are like the Dry Bones in the valley of the book of Ezekiel, you have zero knowledge or hope, it’s only the breath of God that can bring you back to life. 

I want you to just notice the Triune language Paul uses in this teaching, “the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God” People who deny the Trinity and say Jesus and the Apostles never taught this, have clearly missed the references throughout the New Testament. Without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in unison in your life, your not going to be saved, it’s the same with the gifts, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all working in unison to provide you these gifts.

Paul emphasizes “there are diversities of gifts, administration, and operations of the Spirit” The Body of Christ is One but we are all different, we all have different testimonies, different backgrounds, different experiences, and we all are going to have different gifts and different ministries. Let’s stop trying to compare ourselves to each other and work together for the Kingdom of God, Amen!

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13

One thing that is very clear, becoming saved in Christ or becoming Born Again, is a supernatural process. You personally can’t take any credit for yourself coming to Christ, or coming to the knowledge of salvation. As the Apostle Paul says here “The things of God, nobody knows, but the Spirit of God” 

Nobody understands God without the Holy Spirit, nobody can confess Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3) This is why the world is offended by the gospel, this is why the world hates God. Because the world doesn’t know or understand God, they are dead in their sins, stuck in a unregenerate state

So when we see the blasphemy of this world, it should come as no surprise to us. Without the Holy Spirit there is no knowledge of God. This is why many “religious” people are unsaved also, you can do repetitious religious practices and still not know God. Is the Holy Spirit living inside of you? Have you become Born Again? 

Notice here Paul says “The Holy Spirit teaches” when we understand the Bible or hear a sermon that pricks our hearts, that’s not because of the wisdom of men. That’s because the Holy Spirit is revealing this wisdom of God to us. 

Jesus said this “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my (Christ)  name, He (Holy Spirit) will teach you all things” Notice the Triunity of God in Jesus statement here. Who will teach us all things? Jesus clearly said the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Counselor, the Helper, the Comforter!

So before we go about bragging about our Biblical knowledge, give credit to the Holy Spirit, without Him, we would know nothing! Amen!