After being admonished to exercise their spiritual gifts in the love and power of God, believers are told that in their church meetings the gift of prophecy is to prevail over the gift of tongues. Prophecy entails explaining the Scripture in view of past and present history, rather than foretelling some event unrelated to Scripture. Tongues entails speaking in a language not understood by the audience.
Speaking in tongues is highly regulated: at any given meeting, only one, two, or at most three people may speak in tongues and then only if they take turns at it and only if an interpreter is present. Prophecy is also regulated: only two or three and then only one at a time; and the speaker must sit down if another rises to speak.
Speaking in tongues is highly regulated: at any given meeting, only one, two, or at most three people may speak in tongues and then only if they take turns at it and only if an interpreter is present. Prophecy is also regulated: only two or three and then only one at a time; and the speaker must sit down if another rises to speak.
The problem being addressed is confusion and disorder in the church. The women were responsible, at least in part, for the confusion. They are told to be quiet and if they had any questions to ask, to ask them of their husbands at home. In 1 Peter 3:12 wives are instructed to dress modestly and to have a "meek and quiet spirit." (See also 1 Timothy 2:9-12.)
The women were seeking to draw attention to themselves by their dress and by their mouths. And the men were satisfied to sit back and watch them, if not encourage them. The men also allowed the women to usurp leadership authority from them.
The women were seeking to draw attention to themselves by their dress and by their mouths. And the men were satisfied to sit back and watch them, if not encourage them. The men also allowed the women to usurp leadership authority from them.
Is the foregoing a picture of the modern church? If so, where is the fear of God? This God is the same God that told His people in the Old Testament that He hated their religious services and He would not accept their offerings because of their hypocrisy and lack of reverence. (See Isaiah 1: 11-15; Malachi 1:6-14; Jeremiah 6:19-20.) In the New Testament Paul warned the church: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap..." (Galatians 6: 7-8).
If men and women in the church are more interested in looking at each other than in seeking God and at the same time are calling their meeting together "worship," this behavior constitutes "mocking God" and is a serious matter.
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