This issue will only here be treated mildly, though it has overwhelming application for the practices current in Christianity today, with the preface that the regulations in 1 Corinthians 14 should be interpreted, communicated, and practiced as literally as the context allows. For the purpose of brevity, three rules will be set forth: edification, organization, and interpretation. These are outlined in 1 Corinthians 14:26-28.
Edification. "Paul puts forward as the all-decisive consideration the edification (oikodomh) of the worshiping community" (Fung 9). Everyone who speaks in a tongue in a corporate setting must do it "for the strengthening of the church" (1 Corinthians 14:26). Because the Corinthians were exercising their gifts all at once, the church was not being edified. Paul hammers this need into the ground, mentioning the edification of the church six times throughout chapter 14. In application, if the practice of speaking in tongues is not helpful in building up the church, then that practice should be reevaluated and conformed to Paul's careful instructions. If the messages spoken are unedifying, the genuineness of the message should be seriously brought into question.
Organization. Paul did not advocate the practices observed in 1 Corinthians 14:23-24; he advocated order. His guideline was having at the most three people speak in a tongue, one at a time. His reason for this is not simply practical but theological: God is a God of peace, not of confusion. In application, all church practices represent God's character and should therefore be consistent with His attributes. Also, organization is a necessary element for edification.
Interpretation. If there is no one present with the gift of interpretation of tongues, no one should speak out in a tongue. This implies that a person can know he or she has the gift of interpretation. It is also allowable for one of the speakers to interpret, but Paul requires that an interpreter be on hand, despite the opportunity of a speaker to pray that he or she might interpret. In application, the minister or teacher or speaker should work to eliminate as many barriers as possible that would keep people young and old from understanding the message. Additionally, the leader(s) of the church should not feel obligated to provide an interpretation themselves but should instead be certain that one is present who has the gift of interpretation. Otherwise, speaking in tongues should not be allowed publicly.
Tongues Section 4: Tongues Today
Papers
