The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part III

Author
Timothy Laughlin

Published
May 19, 2025

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"With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me." I Corinthians 14:21

"With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me." I Corinthians 14:21

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So, if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

In the Charismatic churches there has been much misinformation about the use of tongues and prophecy. With everyone babbling in tongues in front of unbelievers or the ungifted this scares the daylights out of them. Normally no one interprets and then some woman gets up and rambles out the same Message she gives every Sunday, afterwards they do a Jerico march around the congregation and sit down.

How is it then brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (building up) I Corinthians 14:26

ORDER IN THE CHURCH

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. I Corinthians 14:27-33

Years ago we were invited to take our ministry to a charismatic church one Sunday where all these things I mentioned were going on. We had maybe 30 or so new converts, the lost fresh from the streets, and the rest who never experienced this before.

One of the ladies who was sent to us after she had broken into their church and carved Satan's name in the overhead projector screen! Anyway, after praise and worship and many speaking in tongues the church proceeded to have a Jerico march! It is a miracle that we didn't lose the whole bunch! (Jerico March: Marching around the church shouting and singing like the children of Israel did at Jerico!)

The apostle Paul was adamant about order in the church and the correct way of utilizing the gifts of the Spirit and said that it was the Lord's command! I have experienced little order in the churches I have visited over the years but the few that were doing it right were blessed with the anointing and favor of God!

If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:37-40

COMMISSIONED TO GO

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age." AMEN. Matthew 28:19,20

I fear most go to church, do their time and come back a week later dried out and weary from their time in the world. Jesus didn't command us to stay and sit, He said, "GO!" But most of the congregations stay and slowly die out becoming mausoleums filled with the dead!

Spiritual gifts are not only for our use in the assembly they are for ministry out in the world. The first church at Pentecost received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues was given and then used to interpret Peter's Message to those from out of town and 3000 were saved! Miracles signs and wonders were also a part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Every spiritual gift mentioned in this teaching is for us to use as we minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. All our valid and anointed by the Holy Spirit for our benefit in our fulfillment of the great commission!

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents and if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin

Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part III

Related Writings

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part II

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part I

The Promises of God: Part CCV

The Unity Of The Trinity

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