Joel M Bradshaw

4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.–1 Corinthians 14 (with emphasis)

I underlined two sections above. Where you stand on these things defines the whole issue with miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

1. WHO IS YOU ALL? Was it more likely that in an intensely personal and specific letter to a church that Paul here meant all believers everywhere? Or was he writing to a specific church during the pivotal first season of church history while the New Testament was still being written? How you answer this question defines how you receive the clear commands of this chapter.
2. WHAT IS THE GOAL? I don’t believe the miraculous spiritual gifts of the 1st century church continue today in the same way that they did then. You may disagree. But if you do, then what is the goal of those spectacular gifts? What purpose do they serve? If they are about you then you are biblically wrong. And that goes for any spiritual gift for that matter. They are to be how God edifies or builds up His church as He connects people to Himself and to others for His glory. How you answer this question betrays your motivations. You could be correct in your theology, but incorrect in your practice.

Just a couple matters to ponder this morning. By the way, I also view the book of Acts more as a description than as a prescription.–JMB