Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Speaking in tongues must follow God's rules. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  19)  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.  Paul is continuing to expound the spiritual realities of the gift of speaking in tongues.  The Corinthians abused this gift by not using it as God intended.  Speaking in tongues at Corinth became a matter of pride and arrogance.  God gave this gift so that Christ's disciples could preach the gospel in languages spoken by other people from other places. In addition, some Corinthians pretended to speak in tongues by imitating pagan glossolalia that they used to do before Christ saved them. Paul makes it clear that speaking in tongues does not edify anyone if there is no interpreter present. He stressed the absolute superiority of plain gospel preaching over speaking in tongues in church.  It i

Speaking in tongues while praying is unfruitful and frustrating.  1 Corinthians 14:13-14  Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  14)  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  Paul showed a more excellent way for the Corinthians to pursue.  Interpreting what is spoken in tongues is better because Christians are edified and their faith is established.  Language that is most plain and easy to be understood is the most appropriate for public devotion and ministry within the church. Praying and singing with the Spirit and with understanding is fruitful.  1 Corinthians 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  What about worship in the church? The Holy Spirit guided the apostle to provide direction as Paul continued to address the subject of tongues. Public or corporate

A note about the archive index containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019.   An index for  all lessons  posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on  September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published  J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 2023 was posted on  February 28, 2024.  Each index lists lesson titles and the date each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about. The Link below will take you the the YouTube channel of Heritage Baptist Church where my wife and I attend. Pastor Alvis has given me the great blessing and responsibility to teach the adult Sunday school class. We have been making our way through the Book of Ezra. As we finish the book of Ezra and prepare to move into the book of Nehemiah, we learned several truths about this man of God. First, we noted that Ezra was the right man for the right time. God prepared this priest and ready scribe so that he was ready t

Keeping the right context about spiritual gifts.  1 Corinthians 14:1=9  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2)  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3)  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4)  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  5)  I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.  6)  Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?  7)  And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a dis

Attempting to correct the wrong use of spiritual gifts by the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2)  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3)  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4)  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  Paul was guided by the Spirit of God to write to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts.  Many Corinthian Christians came out of a background of pagan religion and carried some of that baggage into the church. They needed instruction on what the spiritual gifts were, how they were to be used and God's purpose in giving gifts to His church. This church was very dysfunctional in that sexual sin was tolerated in their midst, and even celebrated (1 Corinth