PROCEDURES and LIMITATIONS

two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and

let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let

him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to

himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or

three, and let the other judge. If any thing be re-

vealed 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 (I Cor. 14:27-3-

1).

After Paul lists the contributions each person may make for the edifying of

the body, he places limitations upon certain speakings and gives guidelines for

their use. Paul places limitations on tongues and, therefore, interpretation, and he

limits the number of prophets who may speak in a service. However, he does not

limit the number who may prophesy with the gift of prophecy.

Paul puts a limitation on the number of people who speak with tongues in a

meeting:

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by

two, or at the most by three (I Cor. 14:27).

Paul puts a limitation on the number of prophets who should speak in a

meeting:

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the

other judge (I Cor. 14:29).

However, Paul does not place a limitation on the number of persons

who may exercise the gift of prophesy:

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may

learn, and all may be comforted (I Cor. 14:31).

There is no limitation on the spiritual gift of prophecy, only on speaking in

tongues (with or without interpretation) and prophets.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by

two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and

let one interpret (I Cor. 14:27).

Here, Paul is establishing a proper order for the manifestation of the gift of

tongues. If any speak in tongues, the speaking should be limited to two, or at the

most, three, and that by course, or one after the other, not all speaking at once.

One may speak, another may speak, or a third may speak, one after another, and

one should interpret. But if there is no interpretation after each or any of the

utterances in tongues, then a person should keep silence in the church and speak

(quietly) to himself and unto God. These are the guidelines that the Apostle Paul

gave concerning the manifestation of the gift of tongues.

Paul says that when you are taking up the time of God's people, you should

be considerate of them. For you to speak in tongues while people just sit there is

not appropriate. If there is not an interpretation, then you should sit down and be

quiet and talk to yourself and unto God for your edification. But remember Paul

does not forbid to speak in tongues. He only provides guidelines for your speaking

out in a meeting.

It is worth noting that Paul only suggests limitations for the two more

sensational types of utterances, speaking in tongues and the message of the

prophets. In considering this I asked myself the question, "Why would we need

more than three prophetic messages, or why would we need more than three

speakers in tongues in a given meeting? If speaking in tongues is to God for

prayer and praise, then why would we need more than three, especially when it is

essential that the teaching and preaching of the Word of God go forth. Or, how

many direct revelations of the will of God given by the prophets are we able to

comprehend in any one service?

I believe one of the reasons the Apostle Paul established these guidelines in

the Corinthian Church was to reduce the temptation for the tongues-speakers and

the prophets to compete with each other. Prophets should not get into the

business of trying to out-prophesy one another and those who speak in tongues

should not try to demonstrate their spirituality by much tongues-speaking.

Therefore, Paul put limits on tongues and on the prophets but he does not limit the

simple gift or manifestation of prophecy.

ALL MAY PROPHESY ONE BY ONE

Ye may all prophecy one by one, that all may learn,

and all may be comforted (I Cor. 14:31).

Paul does not limit the gift of prophecy because the church needs all of the

edification, exhortation, and comfort that it may receive, "that all may learn, and

all may be comforted."

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let

the first hold his peace (I Cor. 14:30).

This is an interesting scripture. Paul states that if a person is ministering

and God reveals something to another person, the first person must hold his

peace, while the second person assumes responsibility for the service. If the Spirit

moves on someone to minister when someone else is ministering, the Spirit is

saying that the second person has a fresh revelation from the God which super-

sedes the manifestation that the Spirit gave to the first person. Thus, the first

person should be quiet and allow the second person to minister. The service and

its continuance become the responsibility of the second person because God has

revealed something to him and he must manifest it to the church. However, a

person who assumes the responsibility of "replacing" his brother must recognize

that LOVE does not "behave itself unseemly" and the Spirit will not force anyone

to manifest any gift.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PROPHET IS SUBJECT TO THE PROPHET

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the

prophets (I Cor. 14:32).

In light of the above discussion, this is a pivotal verse. The spirit of the

prophet, and I might add, the spirit of every child of God, is subject to him. We

have control over and, therefore, are responsible for our actions. Our spirits are

subject to us. The Holy Spirit is always a gentleman, and we need to operate in

love, always asking ourselves why we wish to do something. If it is not in love,

then we should not speak or act, because God is not the author of confusion.