I Corinthians 14

I read my twenty chapters today and I started with Romans and read through most of I Corinthians.  I'm ahead in my reading, and I'm guessing that when I went to Africa, I just got ahead as I did not have the internet, I just read ahead.  In I Cor. 14, here are a few thoughts: The whole chapter deals with spiritual gifts and addresses the gift of tongues.  It contrast this gift with the gift of prophecy (preaching).  He mentioned in verse 3 that "he that prophesieth speaketh unto me to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."  In verse 4 it states: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue (tongue he does not know) edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."  God wants us to speak His truth in words people understand and this is the thrust of the whole chapter.  Let me give you my lowdown on tongues: 1. Tongues are for a sign (I Cor. 14:22) 2. Tongues are identifiable languages (Acts 2) 3. Tongues were used to share "the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2) 4. Tongues were always Gentile languages 5. The commission was given to reach all languages and peoples (Acts 1:8) 6. The Jews did not want to share the Gospel to the Gentiles 7. God kept showing them that the Gospel was for everyone by the use of Gentile languages 8. Tongues shall cease  (I Cor. 13:8) 9. I believe they were a "sign" that the Gospel was for everyone and that the gift was prevelent until the churches understood to take the gospel to all peoples (Gentiles) and then this sign gift was no longer needed and later, not found in the church at all.  10. That tongues were not just for sharing the Gospel is evident in that all the people of Acts 2 were Jewish prostalites and thus would have understood the disciples if they only spoke in Hebrew, but they all spoke in Gentile languages that the people understood..  Thus, it was showing the church at Pentecost that the Gospel was for the world! Have a Happy Father's Day and may God bless you!!