How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

(I Cor. 14:23) 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?

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A lot that goes on in traditional Pentecostal services looks CRAZY. I recently stood in the doorway at a conference that was held in a hotel ballroom. As I looked in, there were people whirling in circles, flopping on the floor, shaking people around, running around and around chairs, etc. I thought then that if a hotel guest walked by and looked in, they would think the people were absolutely mad.

Should this concern us? Does it not matter? Is it a move of God that should not embarrass us? (I'll confess, I felt embarrassed. :blush)

How much should we worry about what people think?

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

I think people ought to study the order Paul gave us in his writings...

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

What do you mean?

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

There is a time for all things...Paul wrote about people talking in tongues...the sinner understands nothing unless someone has the gift to tell them what is being said...gifts must work together.
I have heard people say they could not control the Holy Ghost it was so strong...I often say if you have no self control you are like a car without brakes...pretty dangerous...

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. . . . Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. . . . If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." (1Corinthians 14:26, 29-32, 37-40, KJV)

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

This is talking everyone trying to give a message in tongues all at once.
1 Cor.14 is not a prohibition of spiritual gifts,Paul as an Apostle is just teaching the church about the proper usage of spiritual gifts.
The gifts of the spirit will used properly edify the church,when used out of order bring chaos,and cause confusion something God is not the author of.

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

:gotcha:foottapI love that analogy Sis. Alvear!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a firm believer in Spiritual Gifts. But having a Jerhico March every service, is not going to save the lost.

But, of course if there is no preaching. Then we had CHURCH!!!!!!! Nobody got saved, nobody got delivered, nobodys marriage put back together. We rolled, spit, and jumped over pews.

Man we had some church!!!!!!!!

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

How concerned are we? Or how concerned SHOULD WE BE? There are really two dynamics here.

How concerned are we? Probably not very concerned. In fact, I've been in MANY MANY MANY services (usually camps and conferences) over the last 25 years where the success meter of the services were based in large part on how crazy things would get. And I'll have to admit that I bought into it for a really long time. It seemed like the crazier the antics of the worshippers (running, jumping, screaming, twirling, rolling, etc.) the more people walked away rejoicing in what a great "move of God" we had.

How concerned should we be? I remember, like the author of this thread, attending a National Youth Convention for ALJC years ago at the Opryland Hotel. We were in one ballroom having our service and across the hall was some professional seminars taking place. The choir was singing a song that went on for (this is NO JOKE) 45 minutes while the place turned into a free-for-all circus. The back doors were propped open for some unknown reason and in the concourse there was a large group of spectators forming. You should have seen the horrified and incredulous looks on the faces of these people. There was no glory being given to God, no edification to the church body, no instruction given to the unbelievers/unlearned. That was a turning point in my life.

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And more emen!!!!!!!!

Re: How concerned are we about this scripture?
 

Here are my thoughts,

The Scriptures describe speaking in tongues. The whirling, flopping, shaking people, etc. are not mentioned in Scriptures. Sometimes one may fall prostrate before the Lord or praise with clapping, cry, and shout while experiencing his glory, but that’s about all that’s described in Scripture. I once watched video where people were making animal noises, one man crowed like a rooster and the preacher actually said, “My friends… that was a wakeup call from God.” I think we need to tread lightly here because in all honesty… there’s little Bible for some of the things we see. I believe Paul would rebuke us and tell us to get the church in order. Someone has to have the guts to say it… I guess I’ll have to. lol

Anyway… the Scripture you point out is very important. Paul is teaching something in context and we rarely examine it closely. Here’s the passage in context…

1 Corinthians 14:20-25 (King James Version)
20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21In 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.
22Wherefore 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.
23If 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?
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25And 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.

Paul is telling them to grow up. Yes, God promised to speak to his people through other tongues and stammering lips. And yes, tongues are a big deal to those who don’t believe… but prophesying (anointed messages) serve to edify and build up those who believe. Therefore, if the entire church assembly is raving in tongues, and there come someone who is unlearned or who are unbelievers they are going to think you’re all crazy. But if all prophesy (deliver anointed messages) and there comes in one who believes not, or who is unlearned, he will be convicted and moved because of all that’s said. The secrets of his heart are made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God truly is in that congregation.

Now… we don’t really see this that often today like it was in the first century church. For example, note what Paul writes,

I Corinthians 14:24
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

In our modern churches we typically let one man deliver the anointed message (we call it a sermon traditionally). However, in Paul’s day church gatherings were informal and were in homes. And in this home meetings everyone would testify and share what God laid upon their heart be it a message, a Scripture, a song, etc. There wasn’t just one man sermonizing. It was more like a roundtable Bible discussion and testimony service with two or three elders serving to keep order. Now… Paul was telling them if a guest comes into their home and all are ranting in tongues that guest will think their crazy. However, if everyone of them testifies and delivers a message from God, this unbeliever will see that God is truly working in their lives as a whole. And as they discuss issues and questions that are hidden deep in that visitor’s heart, their issues and questions will be made manifest and that unbeliever will be convicted to believe.

For example, in a small home church gathering I’ve visited on occasion everyone shares what God has done for them, a message he’s laid on their hearts, a song that moved them that they want to share, etc. You’d be amazed at how many times the very same passage is laid on several people’s hearts that same week. Coincidence? No. Or how all the songs are on the same line of reasoning and it seems like God himself as set the tone for the entire meeting. I sat amazed and how each person seemed directly plugged into God and by the end of the meeting all knew what God was telling the church through the body ministering to one another. It’s not uncommon for a visitor or a new convert to start weeping because the very thing discussed by all addressed a burden they were carrying, a sin they were struggling with, or a question they had about God or God’s Word. This convicted them that God truly was present and speaking to them.

We see this to some extent in a traditional service… but sometimes it’s just a sermon with your typical generalities and sermonizing homiletics. Yep, I used to preach. So I know how to weave the message and use the inflection to appear “anointed”. I also know how to generalize it to a point wherein all might find a little “something” talking to them. However, in the smaller meetings issues, very difficult issues, are often addressed openly and discussed by the group with the Bible in everyone’s lap. When something is said that strikes at the heart of someone there… it’s like lightening and suddenly the damns break and the tears roll… they can’t hide it. They are hungry and finally being fed. They are wounded and finally being anointed with the healing balm of Gilead.

Anyway… to answer your question… YES. We do well to take Paul’s words very seriously and bring ourselves into order. But this isn’t meant to beat up on Pentecost. The Corinthian church had the same issues. But just as they were admonished to pull it together and get into order, if we allow Paul’s words to guide us we can become the grounded and sound body of Christ God is calling us to be.

God bless.