On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
Over the past few decades, generations have been taught to do and think what is best for themselves, while the Greatest Generation went into WWII with the fate of mankind in the balance, and dedicated their lives for the best of others. Paul had a word or two to say about both examples. In Corinth, it seems that there was an unhealthy obsession with speaking in tongues, so much so that Paul needed to devote extra ink just for that. By contrast, Paul cited prophesying as the antithesis of tongues. One served the purpose of building up oneself because only the speaker got anything out of it, while the one who prophesied shared the blessing with the church, building it up.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow as we wrestle with a similar problem. In America, it seems that there is an unhealthy obsession with speaking in tongues. It qualifies as salvation in some churches and serves to build up the person instead of the church. The early church in Acts 2 spoke in tongues to build up the church, to the tune of 3,000 new believers. Then, they began building up each other with discipleship, the breaking of bread together, and prayer. We will see how we can avoid the mistakes of the Corinthian and American churches and emulate the early church.
Dear Lord, thank you for the history of the church. Help us to understand how to worship you better so the church will be built up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church