[1] Since praying in the Spirit is not the same as praying with our understanding Romans 8:26, we can infer from this verse, that praying in the Spirit is praying in tongues. Jude wrote that one of the benefits of praying in the Spirit is that our faith is built up Jude :20.
This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary
[1] There is
controversy concerning many of Paul's references to "the Law," as to
whether he was referring to the first five books of Moses only or to
extra-scriptural rabbinical writings. In 1 Corinthians 14:21, we see an
Old Covenant prophecy of the New Covenant gift of tongues along with an
instance of Paul referring to the writings of the prophets as The Law.
The context of this verse determines that in his usage of the Greek word, nomo [in a quote of Isaiah 28:11], he was not referring to extra-scriptural rabbinical writings.
Even though scripture does [in places] differentiate between the sacred writings of the Old Covenant, as “The Law and The Prophets,” the apostle did sometimes refer to the entirely of the Old Testament, “The Law and The Prophets,” as nomo.
This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary
[1] Entire denominations use this passage to disparage the gift of tongues, but the apostle was not forbidding, nor even discouraging use of the gift of tongues, he was simply instructing the Corinthian believers in the proper use of it.
He knew his words would be construed by some to forbid speaking in tongues altogether, so in this same passage, he was careful to add the words, “forbid not to speak with tongues.”
To get around this clear
command, some teach that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for the Out-Called,
today. But in the letter to the Ephesians, we read that they are. Also, in the
letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, we read that the gifts of tongues and
prophecy [specifically] will be with the church till that which is complete
comes—i.e., the coming of Christ himself.
This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary edited by this author.
Use the search bar (located at top of side-bar) to find the 1 Corinthians 14 posts or other posts I have on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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This is an excerpt from my latest newsletter announcing my study and commentary on 1 Corinthians 14. I'm currently posting daily articles on the gift of tongues [dealt with in that chapter]. I will send an announcement to my subscribers when start my reading of 2 Corinthians and will be posting daily thoughts on that chapter as well. If you would like to receive updates of when I begin a new topic [and other events!], subscribe HERE.
[1] Paul’s reference to “greatness,” in connection with the gift of prophecy, may give insight into the statement of Jesus that his followers would do “greater” things than he did. We know that no single person can do anything greater than our Savior did. After all, what is greater than raising people from the dead, healing incurable diseases, performing miracles, speaking prophetically into people’s lives, giving one’s own life for someone else?
All of these things have been done by Christians, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But how do we do greater things than that?
The answer is, we cannot.
But Jesus said we would.
Now, we know the statement of Paul [about the prophet being greater than the one who speaks with tongues], had nothing to do with quantitative prominence, that of being highly esteemed by large numbers of people. It is sinful to desire that. It is rather a qualitative promise, that the gift of prophecy does greater good over the gift of tongues, because the gift of prophecy is designed for public ministry, whereas the gift of tongues can be limited to a private and personal refreshing (Isaiah 28:11).
There is nothing wrong with that.
When such is the case, it is meant to be exercised between the individual believer and God alone. The statement of Jesus [about believers doing greater works than he] contains both a quantitative and a qualitative promise.
Believers can do greater things than Jesus, only because
they exist in greater numbers. Every
member of the Body of Christ, is indwelled by his Holy Spirit. Therefore, large
numbers of believers can benefit great numbers of people—often
simultaneously—by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, followers of Christ
will do greater works than he did, and those who prophesy are greater than
those who speak with tongues.
[2] All tongues are not meant to be interpreted. At the beginning of 1 Corinthians, chapter 14, Paul stated that when one spoke in tongues they were speaking to God alone, and no one could understand them. He wrote to the Romans that when we did not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit would pray for us with unintelligible groanings and utterings, which includes (but not limited to) praying in tongues.
Paul
called praying in tongues, praying in the Holy Spirit. Prayer is between the
believer and God—not the between the believer, and God, and the Out-Called. But,
the gift of tongues can also be exercised in tandem with the gift of
interpretation of tongues. When that happens, The gift becomes a public blessing, with the
two gifts—tongues and interpretation of tongues—being equal to the one gift of
prophecy.
This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible commentary edited by this author
Can you elaborate on that statement? Yes. How can it be healthy and beneficial when Christian leaders call men wimps who love their families but have no desire to rule over their wives? How can it be healthy when prejudice against women is encouraged as Christians are taught that the underlying motive in the heart of every woman is to dominate men? This is taught by the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood [CBMW] and is posted on their website.
Accommodation theologians ignore the fact that the Bible says God preserves his Word to EVERY generation. Now why would our Creator do that if his Word was relevant only in the ancient context and to the ancient audience to which it was written?
The claims of accommodationalist theologians call God a liar, and I call them liars
I read my Bible every day always picking up today where I left off yesterday. I have been reading, studying, researching for the past 40-years, and have found the words of scripture relevant for daily guidance in my life today. I have found the Holy Spirit inspired words of the original authors to be evergreen, wise, comforting, and...something I believe accommodationalists hate...convicting. The Bible has much to say about itself and its timeless relevancy in every area of our lives.
I will have more to say about accommodationalism in the near future. What do you think? Leave your comments below
