As we begin our study in 1 Corinthians 14, it is imperative that we lay a biblical foundation concerning spiritual gifts, especially tongues, or spoken languages that the speaker has no training in, but the hearers understand perfectly.
There are several key verses to help build a solid biblical foundation that will keep us grounded as we seek to understand this chapter.
1. Signs were given to the nation of Israel in preparation for their departure from Egypt. Exodus 3-4We know the 10 plagues that befell the Egyptians, that were also signs to the Israelites that God was preparing to move them. Throughout the wilderness journey, God used signs and wonders to comfort and chasten the nation. The book of Numbers is filled with examples.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
2. We, in the Dispensation of the Grace of God, are not looking for a sign to believe. We believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:7: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
John 20:29: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
3. The sign of tongues was given to unbelievers that they might believe.
1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore 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.
We will explore the 4 recorded instances of tongues next week.
In our discussion today, we touched on the final sign that Jesus said would prove he was the Messiah, found in Matthew 12:38-40: Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Jonah is a central figure in understanding the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We all know the story of Jonah and his rebellion, and subsequent events — swallowed by a great fish / whale, drowning in the belly of the whale, crying out to God from hell / abode of the dead, being brought back to life, and sent to Nineveh. Jonah’s death, having his head wrapped in weeds, and resurrection before corruption all picture the death, burial, and resurrection before corruption set in.
Jonah 2:1-6: Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
Psalm 16:10: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.This is a clear prophecy concerning Christ!
Chapter 14 is shaping up to be a great study for us! It is my hope that you will commit to join us each week, as we search the scriptures together.