Lesson 15. The Gospel: the Message of the Spirit

Day 1

One of the issues in the church at Corinth was that the people were believing the right doctrines but placing a wrong emphasis on them, thereby remaining immature in their faith. We can fall into this trap too. We fall into error when we believe wrong doctrines or when we believe right doctrines with a wrong emphasis.
Please read the following passage for our study today:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Question 1. According to 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, what was the right doctrine that the Corinthians believed, but with the wrong emphasis?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Paul begins this section of his letter by saying, "Follow the way of love, and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit." Love is that which "remains" and is produced in our hearts as we believe the gospel. And as we have seen throughout our study of 1 Corinthians, there is an intimate connection between the message of the cross and the Spirit of God who is the One that gives us spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.
The Corinthians were in error because they put knowledge ahead of love and the gift of speaking in tongues ahead of the gift of prophecy, which is how they put a wrong emphasis on a right doctrine.
Question 2. Please state everything that is said about speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:1-12:Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.

Question 3. From 1 Corinthians 14:1-12, please state everything that is said about prophesying:Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Speaking in tongues builds up the individual, but prophesying is the way of love because it builds up the church. "The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified" (1 Corinthians 14:5). Both tongues and prophecy are needed and helpful, but Paul is correcting the Corinthians' wrong priority.
When we hold the message of the cross deeply in our hearts, it helps us know where to place emphasis, what things to stress, and what is "of first importance" (1 Corinthians 15:3). This is because the cross of Christ, embraced in the heart, gives us an outward focus, which helps us to love other people and desire what is most beneficial for them, what will build them up and encourage them. “Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church” (1 Corinthians 15:12).