Authority of the Word of God: (14:36-39):
Perhaps there may be some people who were doubting Paul’s gift of Prophecy and the word of God. One must remember that Paul is one of the Apostle and has seen Christ face to face. His words and letters are written by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He clearly says that the Word of God did not come from Corinthians but from Paul. So they needed to listen to him and follow him just as he follows the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul forewarns them saying that if anyone is really a prophet or spiritual, they will agree with Paul. Some Christians may think themselves spiritual and need not follow a prophet. But if they are really spiritually gifted with prophecy, they would certainly acknowledge what Paul was saying. If they ignore Paul and the prophecy, they would be simply ignoring themselves. Such people are only spiritual to themselves but not in the sight of God. So Paul firmly says that if anyone is spiritual they would contend with what Paul was saying.
A final summary to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: (14:39-40):
Paul earnestly calls all the Corinthian church members to speak with tongues and prophecy more. Prophecy is much more useful than tongues because prophecy encourages and builds up the church. Speaking in tongues may edify the individual but may discourage newcomers and seekers. But never despise any of these gifts. Further the gifts of the Spirit must be regulated and should be done in fitting and orderly way.
Some people think that orderly way of worship is nothing but calm and quiet atmosphere. The gloom atmosphere is for the dead but not for the living. So when we come together, there should be spiritual joy, an expression of praise and thanks giving with hymns and songs to exalt the glory and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Such lively worship would bring people together. But everything should be in orderly and with discipline. Some Pentecostal assemblies were found to be full of chaos and shouting and falling and all sorts of bad things. But we must weigh and see the right spirit and make our worship orderly and with decency so that even unbelievers too would join and be convicted and come to a personal understanding with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some of the points to note for Worship. (chap.12-14):
- The teaching and preaching of the Word must take precedence.
- The church must be built up spiritually should be the emphasis.
- Nothing should hurt the testimony before unbelievers.
- Exercise self-control always.
- Everything must be done “decently and in order,” following the Word of God.
- Women are not to exercise authority over men.
- The worship can be both informal and well planned. We must avoid too much of formality and confusion and fanaticism. A well planned worship is not an unspiritual one. In what every way, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead in the entire service.
- There is no extra baptism of the Spirit after salvation and the usual baptism. All believers have been baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ. There is only one baptism after the conversion.
- There is no such “tarry for the power” in prayer and fasting once he or she is saved and baptized.
- The evidence of baptism is not speaking in tongues but the complete obedience to God’s Word.
- The gift of tongues is not a mark of spirituality.
- Tongues are relatively inferior gifts than prophecy.
- It is possible for a person to have Spiritual gifts and not have Spiritual graces.
- Great saints after the first century have hardly spoken in tongues.
- The 3-major gifts of the Spirit Prophecy, tongues and knowledge seem to have passed away with the completion of the New Testament. The present day the “Church and the Ministry” are founded on the Word of God.
- A believer cannot benefit from tongues privately.
- The gift of the Tongues will not necessarily unify the believers, but infact it brings division at present as seen in the church of Corinth also.
- It is possible for Satan and his followers to manifest counterfeit spiritual gifts or mystic experiences to trap many believers.
- Do not bent upon in acquiring spiritual gifts but rather develop “Fruit of the Spirit.”
- Have the right understanding of the Word of God and discern the right spirit and spiritual gifts.