Prophecy and Tongues
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Prophecy

Prophecy in the Bible is a divine communication from God to humans, often delivered through prophets. It serves multiple purposes, including revealing God's will, providing guidance, warning of future events, and offering hope and encouragement. Prophecy is a significant theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

In the Old Testament, prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel. These messages often included calls to repentance, warnings of impending judgment, and promises of future restoration. For example, Isaiah 7:14 prophesies the birth of the Messiah: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel."

In the New Testament, prophecy continues to play a vital role. John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who prepares the way for Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:3). Jesus Himself is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and He also prophesies about future events, including His own death and resurrection (Mark 8:31) and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (Mark 13:2).

The Apostle Paul discusses the gift of prophecy in the context of spiritual gifts given to the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:10, he lists prophecy as one of the gifts of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes the importance of prophecy for the edification of the Church, stating in 1 Corinthians 14:3, "But the one who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort."

Tongues

The gift of tongues, or glossolalia, is another spiritual gift mentioned in the New Testament. It involves speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, which can be either human languages or heavenly languages. This gift is first prominently displayed on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

The purpose of tongues, as described in the New Testament, includes serving as a sign for unbelievers and edifying the individual believer. In 1 Corinthians 14:22, Paul states, "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers."

Paul provides guidelines for the use of tongues in the church to ensure order and understanding. He advises that if anyone speaks in a tongue, there should be an interpreter present so that the church may be edified (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). Without interpretation, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak to themselves and to God.

The relationship between prophecy and tongues is addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. He encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, because it builds up the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:5, he writes, "I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified."

In summary, both prophecy and tongues are gifts of the Holy Spirit intended for the edification of the Church. While prophecy is primarily directed towards the community for their encouragement and instruction, tongues serve as a sign and a means of personal edification, provided they are used in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Scripture.
Subtopics

Prophecy

Prophecy is a Light in Dark Place

Prophecy is a Sure Word

Prophecy is for the Benefit of After Ages

Prophecy is not of Private Interpretation

Prophecy is the Foretelling of Future Events

Prophecy Of Habakkuk

Prophecy Of Haggai

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names) of Apostasy

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Amos

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Cessation of

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Elijah

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Exemplified in Pantomime

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Ezekiel

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): False Teachers

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Haggai

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Inspired

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Isaiah

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Jeremiah

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Jonah

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Proof of God's Foreknowledge

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Publicly Proclaimed

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Sure Fulfillment of

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Tribulations of the Righteous

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Written in Books

Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Zechariah

Prophecy: A Gift of Christ

Prophecy: A Gift of the Holy Spirit

Prophecy: Blessedness of Reading, Hearing, and Keeping

Prophecy: Came not by the Will of Man

Prophecy: Christ the Great Subject of

Prophecy: Despise Not

Prophecy: Fulfilled Respecting Christ

Prophecy: Gift of, Promised

Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men

Prophecy: Give Heed To

Prophecy: Given from the Beginning

Prophecy: God Accomplishes

Prophecy: God Gives, Through Christ

Prophecy: God is the Author of

Prophecy: Guilt of Pretending to the Gift of

Prophecy: How Tested

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Cannibalism Among the People of Israel

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Captivity of the Jews Predicted and Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Concerning John the Baptist (As the Forerunner of the Messiah)

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Concerning the Rebuilding of Jericho

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Conquests of Jeroboam

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Death of the Prophet of Judah

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Destruction of Ben-Hadad's Army

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Destruction of Sennacherib's Army, and his Death

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Extinction of Baasha's House

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Extinction of Jeroboam's House

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Four Generations of Jehu's Descendants to Sit Upon the Throne of Israel

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Jezebel's Tragic Death

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Judas Iscariot's Self-Destruction Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Judas' Self-Destruction Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Rachel Weeping for Her Children

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Spiritual Blindness of the Jewish Leaders Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: That Blindness Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: That Purpose Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Betrayal of Jesus by Judas Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Birth and Zeal of Josiah

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Captivity of the Southern Kingdom (Judah)

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of a Man Who Refused to Strike a Prophet

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of Ahab

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of Ahaziah

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of the Samaritan Lord

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Deliverance of Jeremiah Predicted and Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Destruction of the Ship Predicted and Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Drought, Foretold by Elijah

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The End of the Famine in Samaria

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Invasion of Judah by the Chaldeans Fulfilled

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Invasion of the Southern Kingdom by the Chaldeans Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Mission of Jesus Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Predicted

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Outpouring of the Spirit Fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Striking of Syria by Joash

Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Transporting of Elijah to the Heavens

Prophecy: Old Testament Messianic Passages Quoted in the New Testament

Prophecy: Punishment For: Adding To, or Taking From

Prophecy: Punishment For: Not Giving Ear To

Prophecy: Punishment For: Pretending to the Gift of

Prophecy: Receive in Faith

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Filled With the Holy Spirit

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Moved by the Holy Spirit

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Ordained by God

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Raised up by God

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Sent by Christ

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Sent by God

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Spoke by the Holy Spirit

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Spoke in the Name of the Lord

Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Spoke With Authority

Prophecy: Written by an Amanuensis

Related Terms

Eldad (2 Occurrences)

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)

Malachi (2 Occurrences)

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Lyre (32 Occurrences)

Rattling (4 Occurrences)

Rustling (2 Occurrences)

Raved (2 Occurrences)

Mightily (36 Occurrences)

Modad

Medad (2 Occurrences)

Pelatiah (5 Occurrences)

Prophet (315 Occurrences)

Commotion (15 Occurrences)

Supervision (5 Occurrences)

Similar (13 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Rested (81 Occurrences)

Iddo (14 Occurrences)

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Jearim (19 Occurrences)

Pashur (12 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Descendant (32 Occurrences)

Eliezer (14 Occurrences)

Haggai (14 Occurrences)

Group (32 Occurrences)

Removal (42 Occurrences)

Urijah (29 Occurrences)

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)

Hophra (1 Occurrence)

Ramoth (30 Occurrences)

Triumph (52 Occurrences)

Exiles (46 Occurrences)

Prophesy (96 Occurrences)

Micah (54 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Prosper (91 Occurrences)

Earthquake (17 Occurrences)

Prophesies (17 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Bone (35 Occurrences)

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)

Hosea (6 Occurrences)

Uriah (33 Occurrences)

Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Thither (119 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Zeri (1 Occurrence)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Nai'oth (5 Occurrences)

Naioth (5 Occurrences)

Nehel'am (3 Occurrences)

Nethani'ah (20 Occurrences)

Nation (192 Occurrences)

Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)

Nahum (3 Occurrences)

Unsavory (3 Occurrences)

Usually (6 Occurrences)

Usual (13 Occurrences)

Unseemliness (4 Occurrences)

Overgrown (5 Occurrences)

Offensive (15 Occurrences)

Oded (3 Occurrences)

Javelin (16 Occurrences)

Jeduthun (15 Occurrences)

Jeruel (1 Occurrence)

Jeshaiah (7 Occurrences)

Jewish (49 Occurrences)

Jonah (30 Occurrences)

Jeshai'ah (7 Occurrences)

Jedu'thun (11 Occurrences)

Prophecy and the Holy Spirit
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