MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
First Corinthians Chapter Fourteen
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
2 Chronicles 7:14, “And if my people [a client nation] who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven; will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We need to pray for our president, our military and civilian leaders every day.
Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself [Don’t concern yourself with the problems which may occur tomorrow.]. Each day has enough evil [trouble] of its own."
Outline of Chapter 14
Verses:
1-25: Tongues is an inferior gift; amplifies1 Corinthians 12:28
26-35: The regulation of tongues
36-40: The importance of living by doctrine
1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love [in one’s spiritual life: personal for God the Father and God the Holy Spirit; unconditional love for mankind and occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ] and seek the spiritual gifts [when you assemble], but more [importantly seek the communicative spiritual gifts such as prophecy] that you may prophesy [this gift not only involved foretelling, but forthtelling as well.].
∆ιώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην, ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευµατικά, µᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε.
In the spiritual life one must advance with two columns. The first is a doctrinal column and the second is the love-column: “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. . .” (2 Peter 3:18a) The doctrinal column (subjects in Scripture) must be maintained by daily perception of doctrine via a prepared pastor. (There are hundreds of doctrinal subjects the believer must learn.) The second column must be maintained by our daily application of doctrine which increases our grace understanding and results in love for God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ and unconditional love for all mankind. If the Christian reciprocates God’s love (1 John 4:19), he will receive the fullness of blessing from God (Ephesians 3:19; Romans 15:29).
How do we “pursue love”? The diagram below will help to answer that question.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian Church and not the individual believer. This explains why the two verbs in the imperative are all in the plural. Furthermore, one cannot command an individual believer to seek a spiritual gift as per the second command. (Spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit at salvation according to His will.) As a church, they are told to seek men with teaching gifts which edify the saints i.e. the gift of prophesy or pastor-teacher rather than other gifts [which do not edify the Christian believers].
Teaching gifts are important since without the communication of God’s word the Christian cannot be edified spiritually. The essential teaching gifts for communicating doctrine to believers were prophesy, apostleship and pastor-teacher in the pre-canon period of the church. In the post-canon period only the teaching gift of pastor-teacher remains. (The Greek word ‘mallon’ (more) is a comparative and implies that Paul is comparing non-communicative type of sensational gifts with the sensational gift of prophecy.) One can never develop a love for God through the gifts of healing, miracles or tongues, but through some type of communicative gift.
The gift of prophecy in the early church was not only used to warn Christians of personal and collective disasters about to take place, but also was used to communicate Church Age information. If the prophet understood church age-doctrine, he could communicate under the filling of the Spirit. The subjunctive mood indicates that the prophet had the potential of communicating to Christians as long as the prophet had sufficient spiritual growth and a clear understanding of the spiritual life.
The spiritual gift of communication like pastor-teacher requires more than just the spiritual gift itself in order to be prepared. He needs not only knowledge of the spiritual life, but also spiritual growth. These two generally go hand to hand that is the more he grows spiritually, the more he understands about the spiritual life. If the pastor is not an advanced believer, he will easily become arrogant. Furthermore, an immature pastor spiritually cannot understand well the advanced doctrines. So, a congregation seeking a pastor, must not only consider the gift itself, but also the knowledge and spiritual growth of the person in question, and of course the languages.
Why didn’t Paul command the Corinthians to become active in Christian service? Well, Paul understood that bona fide Christian service is the result of spiritual growth, not vice versa. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 makes this point very clear for verse 16 reveals the method of spiritual growth all the way to maturity. After obtaining much spiritual growth, verse 17 declares the believer ready for Christian service.
2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for rebuke [refutation of error], for correction, for training in righteousness [passing all the undeserved tests which develops great humility and virtue],"
πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιµος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγµόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ,
“All Scripture” refers to the entire canon both the New and the Old Testament. The Greek word “theopneustos” means “God-breathed.” Breathing includes both inhale and exhale. The expression “God-breathed” tells us how God has revealed his plan through human writers. The inhale was God the Holy Spirit revealing to the writers of Scripture the message which he wanted written in the Bible. The exhale was the writing of the canon under the control of the Holy Spirit.
God the Holy Spirit so supernaturally directed the writers of Scripture that without waving [changing] their human intelligence, their individuality, their personal feeling or any other factor of human expression, his complete and coherent message was recorded with perfect accuracy in the original languages of Scripture; the very words [each word] bearing [having] the authority of divine authorship.
All Scripture is profitable for teaching. The Greek word for teaching is “didaskalia”. Teaching (didaskalia) is done by the one with the gift of teaching. After the departure of the apostles who possessed the gift of teaching, only pastors (ministers) are authorized to teach the Word of God. Only those with the gift of pastor-teacher (poimen- didaskalos) (Ephesians 4:11) are approved by God to teach adult Christians. This teaching is always to a group, never one person teaching another person individually.
Teaching to a group rather than to individuals helps to maintain privacy among believers. Actually, three things must occur in a local church in order to provide for maximum privacy. First, Christians in a local church should never tell other believers their sins. Second, gossiping must be prohibited and third the pastor must teach his congregation as a group.
The pastor has a spiritual gift to teach a group. He teaches all the adults in the church while the children are being taught elsewhere. It is the pastor’s responsibility to provide sufficient food each week for his adult members that they might grow spiritually. We mention this because today there is a false concept called “discipleship.” Under this concept, certain “so called mature believers” are assigned to teach new Christians. This is a violation of the spiritual gift of “Pastor-Teacher” for only this spiritual gift is authorized to teach adults. God never authorized a believer without the spiritual gift of communication to teach other adults. A new Christian needs to learn the spiritual life from a qualified pastor. A qualified pastor must possess several assets (qualifications). He must of course possess the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher. Second, he must be an adult-believer or even better a mature believer which implies that he will have a good understanding of the spiritual life and sufficient humility to handle his responsibility correctly. Finally, he must either know the original languages well or get the information from another pastor who is an expert in the original languages.
In discipleship, there is always some unqualified Christian attempting to teach another the spiritual life. This is the blind (unauthorized and unqualified) leading the blind. Even a pastor is not authorized to teach Christians individually; yet, these people have the audacity not only to circumvent the authority of the pastor, but also to violate the privacy of the believer-priest by teaching to individuals.
Bible doctrine taught to the congregation is profitable for reproof. The Christian’s motivation, thinking, decisions and actions may be incorrect. As he hears the word of God being taught by his pastor, the Word rebukes him. If the Christian recognizes his error, he has the chance to make the necessary corrections. You see, as the believer learns the Word of God, a mirror is formed in his soul. To the extent that this mirror is formed to that extent the believer can see himself as he really is. This helps him to see the errors (arrogance) in his thinking, motivation, decisions and actions. At that point he has the opportunity to make changes and to advance spiritually.
Step by step the Christian goes from false thinking, motivation, decisions, and actions to correct thinking etc. When the Christian fails to make the needed corrections, God administers punishment. If the Christian receives this punishment in humility, he will benefit from the punishment and correct his sinful thoughts and behavior. In this way, his experience becomes more righteous; he is trained in righteousness by God. The righteous Christian eagerly desires to learn more and more about God. The righteous Christian obeys God and all of his mandates. Thus, the righteous believer is both humble and mature.
Training in righteousness also includes advancing to Spiritual Self-Esteem, and from there to Spiritual Autonomy and then unto spiritual maturity and passing all of the underserved suffering tests related to these 3 stages of spiritual growth.
2 Timothy 3:17, "That the man of God might be proficient [capable], having been well equipped [prepared by his advance to spiritual adulthood as found in the previous verse] for every good work [Christian service]."
ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισµένος.
The only Christian who is qualified (equipped) for Christian service is the virtuous believer, the one who loves God. In this passage verse sixteen precedes verse seventeen, spiritual preparation precedes service. Verse 17 is a result of verse 16!
Verses 2-6: The contrast between the gift of tongues and prophesy:
1 Corinthians 14:2
For the one [Christian] who communicates in a language [a foreign language through the gift of tongues; Acts 2:5-11] does not communicate to mankind in general [to the members of his own congregation who do not understand that particular foreign language], but to God [only God understood what the Corinthians were communicating in Tongues to their fellow believers] for no one [in the Corinthian Church] hears [with understanding for they did not know that language], but he [a Corinthian believer with the gift of languages] communicates mysteries [unknown by the majority] by means of his [human] spirit.
ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ θεῷ, οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, πνεύµατι δὲ λαλεῖ µυστήρια·
The Greek word µυστήριον (musterion) is different from the English word mystery. In English when we think of a mystery, we think in terms of a murder mystery, but the Greek word was used in a much different way. It was used by the fraternities and sororities for their secret doctrines. Thus, the Greek word ‘musterion’ related to knowledge understood by a few, the members of the fraternity or sorority, but not by the general public. So, the phrase “communicates mysteries” means that only a few understood the gospel message communicated through the ‘Gift of Tongues’ (only the ones with the ‘Gift of Interpretation of Tongues’ and the ones who knew that foreign language).
The Holy Spirit would provide gospel information directly to the human spirit (“by means of his spirit”) of the one with the Gift of Languages (Tongues) in whatever language was pertinent at the time of gospel presentation. From the human spirit this gospel information went directly to the vocal cords bypassing the soul of the individual with the gift. (This explains why even the one possessing the Gift of Tongues did not understand what he was communicating.) Therefore, God the Holy Spirit had to provide another spiritual gift namely, the Gift of Interpretation. The person with this gift had the supernatural ability to understand what was presented by the one with the Gift of Languages (Tongues), and as such could explain to others who did not understand what was taking place.
The Corinthian believers were using their spiritual gift of ‘languages’ incorrectly. For the most part, they were using it to impress their fellow believers in the Corinthian Church. In those situations, the only one who did understand was God. Occasionally, Jewish unbelievers did attend, and they of course did benefit from hearing the gospel through this miraculous Gift of Tongues.
Though communicating in an unknown languages falls under the Greek definition of a mystery, it is not one of the mystery doctrines as found in the New Testament epistles.
1 Corinthians 14:3
But one who prophesies [a communicator in the early Church] speaks to men [Christians in the church] for edification and exhortation and consolation.
ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ οἰκοδοµὴν καὶ παράκλησιν καὶ παραµυθίαν.
These are the three objectives in communicating the Word to the members of a congregation namely edification, exhortation and consolation. Edification is the teaching which builds the structure of the spiritual life in the souls of believers. Exhortation is the teaching which rebukes believers when they are in error. Consolation is the teaching which comforts believers in suffering or difficulty. God’s Word when taught correctly by the communicator edifies, exhorts and comforts.
The timing of the edification, exhortation and consolation of a communicator (presently pastors only) may not be in harmony with the desires of the particular members of the congregation. When the pastor’s message edifies, it will apply to all; when his message exhorts, it will have an immediate impact upon those who are in need of a particular exhortation which will benefit them if they do not react subjectively to the exhortation. Consolation is pleasant for all especially to those who are in some type of suffering or difficulty. The bottom line is that the pastor cannot coordinate his teaching ministry with the individual desire of a particular member. Thus, a member may want to be consoled when the pastor is exhorting the congregation etc. In such a case, the individual member must be patient. (If, however the pastor has a recorded ministry, the member who is seeking answers to his problems may order the pertinent recorded message or messages).
1 Corinthians 14:4
He who speaks in tongues [in the church] edifies himself [arrogance], but he who prophesies [communicates God’s Word], edifies the church.
ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδοµεῖ· ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδοµεῖ.
The gift of tongues (languages) was never designed for the edification of the members of a local church, rather it was designed to evangelize unbelievers (primarily Jewish) who functioned outside of the local church.
Explained briefly the gift of Languages (Tongues).
1 Corinthians 14:5
Now, I wish [Paul’s strong desire to reach his fellow Jewish unbelievers] that you all spoke in tongues [for the purpose of evangelization], but even more that you would prophesy. And greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues unless he interprets [through a person with the Gift of Interpretation; in this case interpreting the message from some foreign language into Greek] so that the [Greek speaking] church may receive edifying [the church could receive some edification if the message delivered via the Gift of Tongues was properly interpreted via the Gift of Interpretation].
θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑµᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, µᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· µείζων δὲ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ µὴ διερµηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδοµὴν λάβῃ.
Assuming there was only one spiritual gift available. Under those circumstances, which one would be preferable in the local church? In the church, a communicative gift is essential whereas other gifts such as Tongues, miracles, healing are not. However, if all the Corinthians possessed the Gift of Tongues, it would be helpful in evangelizing the Jewish unbelievers coming into Corinth from all parts of the Roman Empire. This evangelism of course for the most part would be done outside of the local church.
1 Corinthians 14:6
But now brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what [how] will I profit you unless I speak to you [with a communicative gift] either by way of revelation [information made known to one by the gift of prophecy as to John on the Isle of Patmos] or of knowledge [what would be in the epistles] or of prophesy [near or far prophecy: Agabus prophesied Paul’s imprisonment ] or of doctrine [from the gift of teaching or apostleship]?
Νῦν δέ, ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν ἔλθω πρὸς ὑµᾶς γλώσσαις λαλῶν, τί ὑµᾶς ὠφελήσω, ἐὰν µὴ ὑµῖν λαλήσω ἢ ἐν ἀποκαλύψει ἢ ἐν γνώσει ἢ ἐν προφητείᾳ ἢ ἐν διδαχῇ;
The main purpose of the Gift of Languages was to evangelize Jewish unbelievers of the diaspora outside of the local church. Whereas a gift of communication was to communicate to believers usually assembled in a local church the following: revelation, knowledge, prophesy and doctrine.
1 Corinthians 14:7
Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp produce a meaningful sound, if it [the flute or harp] does not produce a distinction in tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
ὅµως τὰ ἄψυχα φωνὴν διδόντα, εἴτε αὐλὸς εἴτε κιθάρα, ἐὰν διαστολὴν τοῖς φθόγγοις µὴ δῷ, πῶς γνωσθήσεται τὸ αὐλούµενον ἢ τὸ κιθαριζόµενον;
In the church in Corinth, many spoke in Tongues which had no meaning to the Greek Christians in the church. As musical tones must have meaning to communicate so must languages. If the audience does not understand what the communicator is saying, what is the purpose?
1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet does not give a clear call who will prepare himself for battle?
καὶ γὰρ ἐὰν ἄδηλον σάλπιγξ φωνὴν δῷ, τίς παρασκευάσεται εἰς πόλεµον;
In the ancient world all battle commands were given by trumpet sounds. It had to be heard above the din of battle. Furthermore, these trumpet sounds had to communicate battle commands and had to be understood by the officers and soldiers otherwise there would be defeat in battle.
1 Corinthians 14:9
So also you, unless you utter by a language a speech that is clear [intelligible], how will it be known what is spoken for you will be speaking into the air.
οὕτως καὶ ὑµεῖς διὰ τῆς γλώσσης ἐὰν µὴ εὔσηµον λόγον δῶτε, πῶς γνωσθήσεται τὸ λαλούµενον; ἔσεσθε γὰρ εἰς ἀέρα λαλοῦντες.
When the Corinthian believers spoke in Tongues in their church, it was unintelligible to the Greek believers. They were speaking to the air. It was meaningless and a total waste of time. Furthermore, it was indicative of a total lack of common sense.
1 Corinthians 14:10
There are perhaps a great many kinds of languages in the world and none without meaning.
τοσαῦτα εἰ τύχοι γένη φωνῶν εἰσιν ἐν κόσµῳ, καὶ οὐδὲν ἄφωνον·
The Lord created many languages at the Tower of Babel to discourage internationalism. Today, there are around 7000 languages and all have meaning. In every language, one must learn words, grammar and syntax.
1 Corinthians 14:11
If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
ἐὰν οὖν µὴ εἰδῶ τὴν δύναµιν τῆς φωνῆς, ἔσοµαι τῷ λαλοῦντι βάρβαρος καὶ ὁ λαλῶν ἐν ἐµοὶ βάρβαρος.
The Greek word for barbarian has a different meaning than the English word barbarian. To the Greeks all foreign languages sounded like bar bar bar and so they called anyone who spoke a foreign language a barbarous from which we get the English word barbarian.
1 Corinthians 14:12
So also you, as long as you are enthusiastic about spiritual gifts seek that you may abound [in the gifts] to the edifying of the church.
οὕτως καὶ ὑµεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευµάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδοµὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.
In a worship service, the congregation must emphasize gifts which communicate since the members are edified through the teaching of doctrine.
1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore, let the one who speaks in a tongue [the super natural gift of giving the gospel in a foreign language] pray [private prayer in his own language] that he may interpret [through someone with the gift of interpretation].
διὸ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερµηνεύῃ.
In this way, he and others will understand what is being said. Remember that even the person with the Gift of Tongues did not understand what he himself was saying since his soul was not involved.
1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray [a hypothetical 3rd class conditional clause] in a foreign language, my spirit [human spirit] prays, but my mind is unproductive [The mind does not understand, and so it cannot benefit the individual].
ἐὰν [γὰρ] προσεύχωµαι γλώσσῃ, τὸ πνεῦµά µου προσεύχεται, ὁ δὲ νοῦς µου ἄκαρπός ἐστιν.
Now that Paul has mentioned prayer in verse 13, he decides to use it as an illustration. If a person were to pray or sing in Tongues (a hypothetical situation) there would be no benefit to him since the soul would not be involved.
We know that this is a hypothetical 3rd class conditional sentence, since no one properly used the spiritual gift of languages to pray, sing hymns or to bless. Praying, singing etc. are functions for Christians, but the gift of Tongues (languages) was for a miraculous sign directed toward unbelievers for 1 Corinthians 14:22a states, “So then Tongues are for a sign [a miraculous sign] not to those who believe, but to [Jewish] unbelievers,”
1 Corinthians 14:15
What then is the conclusion? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing [hymns in worship] by means of my spirit; I will sing by means of my mind.
τί οὖν ἐστιν; προσεύξοµαι τῷ πνεύµατι, προσεύξοµαι δὲ καὶ τῷ νοΐ· ψαλῶ τῷ πνεύµατι, ψαλῶ δὲ καὶ τῷ νοΐ.
Hypothetically, if a person could pray via the gift of tongues, it would be of no benefit to the person since his mentality that is his mind would not be involved. However, if Paul were to pray or sing a hymn in the normal way through the use of his mind that is in his native language, then both his mind and human spirit would be involved.
1 Corinthians 14:16
Otherwise if [introducing a 3rd class conditional sentence] you bless [an expression by teaching, singing or praying] by means of the human spirit [via the gift of tongues], how shall he [the believer who is listening to a language he doesn’t understand] who occupies the room of the ungifted [there is no one present with the Gift of Interpretation] say [future for logical progression] “Amen” at your giving of thanks [via the gift of languages] since he [the believer listening] does not know what you [the believer blessing via the gift of languages] are saying [because he doesn’t know the language].
ἐπεὶ ἐὰν εὐλογῇς ἐν πνεύµατι, ὁ ἀναπληρῶν τὸν τόπον τοῦ ἰδιώτου πῶς ἐρεῖ τὸ Ἀµήν ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ εὐχαριστίᾳ, ἐπειδὴ τί λέγεις οὐκ οἶδεν;
1 Corinthians 14:17
For you are giving thanks well [hypothetically], but the other person is not edified [since the language is not understood].
σὺ µὲν γὰρ καλῶς εὐχαριστεῖς, ἀλλ’ ὁ ἕτερος οὐκ οἰκοδοµεῖται.
In verses 14 and 15, Paul uses himself as an illustration with a hypothetical 3rd class conditional sentence. In other words, verses 14 & 15 are not true, but only assumed to be true for sake of an argument. However, in verses 16 and 17, he addresses an individual member of the Corinthian Church. In these verses, Paul no longer uses a hypothetical 3rd class conditional sentence, but an actual one. Now he is addressing certain Christians in the Corinthian Church who are in fact distorting the use of the Gift of Tongues. Some are applying their gift toward believers in the church at Corinth. They are using this gift in blessing, and in thanks- giving. This is a distortion and the false use of this wonderful gift which should be directed toward unbelievers only.
Other distortions of a spiritual gift:
A person with the gift of a pastor-teacher evangelizing a group of unbelievers or a person with the gift of evangelism teaching adult Christians is not going to work well. However, this may be required for a short time or on a particular occasion, but it will not suffice over a long period of time. For example, Billy Graham was first a pastor of a local church, until he realized that he had the gift of evangelism, not the gift of pastor-teacher. So, he made a correct decision by quitting his position of pastor and went on to become a great evangelist.
1 Corinthians 14:18
I thank my God that I speak with Tongues more than all of you.
εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ, πάντων ὑµῶν µᾶλλον γλώσσαις λαλῶ·
Since Paul was so desperately concerned for the salvation of the Jews, he was very thankful for his Gift of Tongues which he used outside of the church to evangelize his ethnic brethren. “My prayer and heart’s desire is that Israel might be saved.” Furthermore, Paul used this wonderful gift without ever abusing it (never tried to impress Christians with this gift).
If Paul had not possessed the spiritual gift of Tongues himself, the Corinthians would have said that Paul’s criticism of their use of Tongues came by way of jealousy. However, since Paul had the gift and had opportunity to use it in evangelizing Jewish unbelievers in his travels more than anyone else in the Corinthian Church, they could not use this subjective argument against him.
1 Corinthians 14:19
However, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind [using his native languages] so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a foreign language [via the Gift of Tongues].
ἀλλὰ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ θέλω πέντε λόγους τῷ νοΐ µου λαλῆσαι, ἵνα καὶ ἄλλους κατηχήσω, ἢ µυρίους λόγους ἐν γλώσσῃ.
In the church where the members spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek or Latin, Paul used his gift of apostleship to communicate doctrine to those Christians. He never used his Gift of Tongues in a church where he himself knew the spoken language. To the members of a Jewish synagogue, he would usually communicate in Aramaic. To certain Jews who understood Hebrew, he would speak that language. To those in the Eastern Roman Empire, he would communicate in Greek; to those in the Western Roman Empire, he would communicate in Latin.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, stop becoming children in your thinking [with emphasis on sensational things such as on sensational spiritual gifts], yet with reference to malice [and other mental sins] be like infants [infants are free of mental sins since they lack the brain development and vocabulary], but in your thinking become mature [Take responsibility for your decisions and establish correct values through correct thinking from truth.].
Ἀδελφοί, µὴ παιδία γίνεσθε ταῖς φρεσίν, ἀλλὰ τῇ κακίᾳ νηπιάζετε, ταῖς δὲ φρεσὶν τέλειοι γίνεσθε.
The distortion of the Gift of Tongues and the emphasis on the sensational spiritual gifts caused the Corinthians to act like children with emphasis on irrationality, false priorities, emotion and stimulation for emotion in itself is an empty physiological response which contains no doctrinal content, no thinking, no norms and standards, and no common sense. A person will never grow spiritually if he centers his life on emotional stimulation. As a person develops into adulthood, he should become an expert in his native language that is he should accumulate a large vocabulary, understand the grammar and syntax of his language.
When Christians emphasize sensational things, it implies that they are also emotional. Sure enough for both in 1 Corinthians and in 2 Corinthians, Paul makes it clear that the Corinthians were hindered in their spiritual lives because of emotion.
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual persons [believers filled with the Spirit], but as unto carnal [fleshly, belonging to the sin nature], as childish ones in Christ. I gave you milk [basic doctrine] to drink, not solid food [no advanced doctrines], for you were not able to receive it, and you are still not able [to perceive it]. For you are still carnal, belonging to the sin nature [self-fragmented], for since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not carnal and keep walking in conformity with men [unbelievers]?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
"O you Corinthians, our mouths [means of communication by Paul, Apollos, and Timothy] have been opened face to face with you; our right lobes have been enlarged [we were prepared]. Therefore, you have not been hindered by us [Paul, Apollos, Timothy], but you have been hindered by your own emotions." (2 Corinthians 6:11-12)
Many Christians fail by substituting emotion for the spiritual life which incorporates God’s thinking and plan for our lives.
“For many keep on walking [living out of fellowship] whom many times I kept on telling you and now even weeping I say that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction [die the sin unto death] whose god is their emotions and their glory is their shame.” (Philippians 3:18, 19)
1 Corinthians 14:21
In the Torah [the entire Old Testament was called the Torah by the Jews] it is written, “With foreign languages [gentile languages, not Hebrew] and by the lips of foreigners [Christians whether Jew or gentile communicating the gospel in a gentile language to Jews living in other regions and countries. Paul for example surely used this gift in his travels through Galatia.] I will speak to this people [Jews] and even so they will not listen to me [for the purpose of obeying: most will reject the gospel message delivered via the Gift of Tongues],” says the Lord [quoted from Isaiah 28:11, 12].
ἐν τῷ νόµῳ γέγραπται ὅτι Ἐν ἑτερογλώσσοις καὶ ἐν χείλεσιν ἑτέρων λαλήσω τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ, καὶ οὐδ’ οὕτως εἰσακούσονταί µου, λέγει κύριος.
1 Corinthians 14:22
So, then Tongues are for a sign [a miraculous sign] not to those who believe, but to [Jewish] unbelievers, but prophecy is not to unbelievers but to those who believe [the gift of prophecy in the early church was designed to communicate information to Christians].
ὥστε αἱ γλῶσσαι εἰς σηµεῖόν εἰσιν οὐ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἀπίστοις, ἡ δὲ προφητεία οὐ τοῖς ἀπίστοις ἀλλὰ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν.
Some other signs the Lord provided for the Jews were as follows: the virgin birth as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and quoted in Matthew 1:23; and the two signs regarding the birth of Christ as per Isaiah 1:3 and Luke 2:12.
Isaiah 28:11, 12 prophesied that Jews would be evangelized in gentile languages as warning of the approach to the 5th Cycle of Discipline. This warning began on the Day of Pentecost in 30 AD. Since this 40 year warning was not heeded, the 5th Cycle of Discipline was administered in August of 70 AD according to Luke 21:20-24.
Luke 21:20, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies [four Roman legions under the command of Titus], then know that her desolation is near.
Luke 21:21, “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains [mountains north, south and east], and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, furthermore those who are in the country [those outside of Jerusalem] must not enter her [the city];
Luke 21:22, "Because these are days of judgment, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled [Leviticus 26:27-33; Deuteronomy 28:49-67]."
Luke 21:23, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people;"
Luke 21:24, And they will fall by the edge of the sword [1.9 million], and will be led captive [97 thousand] into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled [70 AD to the 2nd Advent]."
1 Corinthians 14:23
Therefore, if [hypothetical situation] the whole church assembles together in the same place, and all speak in tongues and persons [believers] who mind their own business [ἰδιῶται] or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? Yes, they will. [A Greek clause beginning with the Greek negative ouk expects a yes answer.]
Ἐὰν οὖν συνέλθῃ ἡ ἐκκλησία ὅλη ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ καὶ πάντες λαλῶσιν γλώσσαις, εἰσέλθωσιν δὲ ἰδιῶται ἢ ἄπιστοι, οὐκ ἐροῦσιν ὅτι µαίνεσθε;
If a person were to enter a church and all were speaking different languages at the same time, would that person not assume that he had just entered an insane asylum? Once I was invited to a public prayer meeting in Seoul, and when it came time to begin, I assumed that one person at a time would pray for all to hear, but to my amazement all began to pray out loud at the same time. I found it impossible to even think is such a raucous environment much less pray effectively.
1 Corinthians 14:24
But if all prophesy [one at a time], and an unbeliever or a person who minds his own business [a believer with common sense] enters, he is convinced [that this teaching is true] by all [which he hears]; he receives discernment by all [which he hears].
ἐὰν δὲ πάντες προφητεύωσιν, εἰσέλθῃ δέ τις ἄπιστος ἢ ἰδιώτης, ἐλέγχεται ὑπὸ πάντων, ἀνακρίνεται ὑπὸ πάντων,
1 Corinthians 14:25
The secrets of his frontal lobe are disclosed [he is challenged in his frontal lobe], and so he will fall on his face [he will get into an attitude of worship because he is impressed by this particular gift] and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you [Corinthians].
τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς καρδίας αὐτοῦ φανερὰ γίνεται, καὶ οὕτως πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον προσκυνήσει τῷ θεῷ, ἀπαγγέλλων ὅτι Ὄντως ὁ θεὸς ἐν ὑµῖν ἐστιν.
The gifts of prophecy was used to communicate spiritual truths to Church Age believers. When done properly and in proper order, these teachings were very effective.
1 Corinthians 14:26
Therefore, what is the outcome, brethren, that when you assemble, each one has a psalm [of doctrinal lyrics accompanied by a 10 string instrument and sung by the congregation: like congregational singing today accompanied by an organ or piano], has a doctrine [teaching categorically presented], has a revelation [the use of prophesy which orients the believer to the plan of God], has a tongue [the use of foreign languages in a service to evangelize unbelievers who were not native to Corinth], has an interpretation [the interpretation of what was communicated through the gift of foreign languages: Tongues]. Let all things be done for edification [one of the purposes of communication is to edify, to build up Biblical teachings in the believer’s soul].
Τί οὖν ἐστιν, ἀδελφοί; ὅταν συνέρχησθε, ἕκαστος ψαλµὸν ἔχει, διδαχὴν ἔχει, ἀποκάλυψιν ἔχει, γλῶσσαν ἔχει, ἑρµηνείαν ἔχει· πάντα πρὸς οἰκοδοµὴν γινέσθω.
1 Corinthians 14:27
If anyone speaks in a tongue [a foreign language], it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn [only one person communicates at a time that is in rotation], and one must interpret [A person with the Gift of Interpretation must be present when the Gift of Tongues is functioning],
εἴτε γλώσσῃ τις λαλεῖ, κατὰ δύο ἢ τὸ πλεῖστον τρεῖς, καὶ ἀνὰ µέρος, καὶ εἷς διερµηνευέτω·
The church service is designed to communicate doctrine to the believers assembled, and to communicate the gospel message to those unbelievers who may have entered into the assembly. Thus, all spiritual gifts utilized in a worship service must be for the purpose of communication. If it doesn’t communicate, it doesn’t belong in the worship service.
1 Corinthians 14:28
But if there is no interpreter, he [the person with the gift of Tongues] must keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself [an idiom for thinking] and to God [appreciating God in his thoughts].
ἐὰν δὲ µὴ ᾖ διερµηνευτής, σιγάτω ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἑαυτῷ δὲ λαλείτω καὶ τῷ θεῷ.
All spiritual gifts were designed to be controlled by one's volition. If a believer has the Gift of Knowledge, he should communicate God’s Word in a proper way at the proper time. In the same manner, if a person had the Gift of Languages (Tongues), he should use his volition to communicate the gospel in a proper way at the proper time. God designed all spiritual gifts to function in a rational and polite manner.
Under the concept of pseudo-Tongues, Christians work themselves up emotionally to the point of being ecstatic. In this state the vocal cords can make strange sounds with the proper amount of air movement. When utterances come from an ecstatic believer forcing air over his vocal cords, it never produces any meaningful utterance, only meaningless noises.
1 Corinthians 14:29
Let two or three prophets speak, [but not at the same time] and let the others [believers] discern [listen with discernment].
προφῆται δὲ δύο ἢ τρεῖς λαλείτωσαν, καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι διακρινέτωσαν·
In the first three centuries, Christians usually met in homes to hear the Word of God taught. (During times of persecution they would meet in fields or catacombs.) Since homes were not large enough to hold a large congregation, they would conduct two or three services and rotate the audiences. So, for the 1st service one prophet (representing a communicator) would communicate to his audience. Then a 2nd prophet would communicate to those attending the second service etc. In other words, one group would attend the first service; a second group of believers would consistently attend the 2nd service. Thus, each audience consistently listened to the same communicator.
There were probably times however, when two or three prophets communicated to a single audience. In that case, only one speaker was permitted to speak at a time.
1 Corinthians 14:30
But if something is revealed to another [prophet] who is seated [one of the prophets of verse 29], the first one must keep quiet [Only one prophet was allowed to speak at a time.]
ἐὰν δὲ ἄλλῳ ἀποκαλυφθῇ καθηµένῳ, ὁ πρῶτος σιγάτω.
Apparently, in Corinth, they would have 2 or 3 prophets communicating simultaneously to the same audience. Thus, no one in the audience could listen intelligently through this noisy milieu. So, Paul put an end to this nonsense.
1 Corinthians 14:31
For you may all prophecy one by one [in rotation] in order that all [in the congregation] may learn and all may be encouraged [exhorted from the teaching of the word].
δύνασθε γὰρ καθ’ ἕνα πάντες προφητεύειν, ἵνα πάντες µανθάνωσιν καὶ πάντες παρακαλῶνται,
1 Corinthians 14:32
And the spirits [God the Holy Spirit communicated revelation to the human spirits of the prophets.] of the prophets are subject [under authority] to the prophets [the responsibilities and regulations of the ministry].
καὶ πνεύµατα προφητῶν προφήταις ὑποτάσσεται·
The prophets had the responsibility to learn God’s word and plan. Then, he had to communicate God’s message in rational manner. This means that the prophet (any communicator) had to have good control over his emotion. (A crying communicator (today an evangelist or pastor) is out of control!
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of order [as opposed to disorder] as in all the churches of the saints.
οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἀκαταστασίας ὁ θεὸς ἀλλὰ εἰρήνης. Ὡς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῶν ἁγίων,
In communication, one speaks while the others listen. Otherwise, there will be confusion. If certain members of the congregation have poor manners and are speaking or moving around while the communicator is speaking, it makes it very difficult for the communicator to teach and for all in the audience to listen.
1 Corinthians 14:34
Women must keep silent in the churches for it is not permitted for them to speak, but let them subject themselves [be under authority] just as the Law says [Genesis 3:16b “and he (the husband) will rule over you”].
αἱ γυναῖκες ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις σιγάτωσαν, οὐ γὰρ ἐπιτρέπεται αὐταῖς λαλεῖν· ἀλλὰ ὑποτασσέσθωσαν, καθὼς καὶ ὁ νόµος λέγει.
Women have never been given communicative gifts which would give them authority over men such as the gifts of Tongues, prophesy, apostleship which gifts functioned in the pre-canon period of the Church Age. (There were prophetesses in the pre-canon period, but their gift only functioned toward other women). In the post-canon period of the Church Age no woman has ever been given the gift of Pastor-Teacher and so, no woman should ever communicate to adults in a church.
Furthermore, women have a tendency to talk in a Bible class situation when they disagree with the communicator and so react to his message or when they do not to understand some point (They are curious and want an immediate answer from the person seated next to them).
1 Corinthians 14:35
And if they [married Christian women] desire to learn anything [about the Word] and [let’s assume] they do, let them ask their husband at home [need to discuss in privacy under the husband’s authority] for it is improper [disgraceful] for a woman to speak in church [either to communicate doctrine to adults as a pastor or to speak while another is communicating God’s Word].
εἰ δέ τι µαθεῖν θέλουσιν, ἐν οἴκῳ τοὺς ἰδίους ἄνδρας ἐπερωτάτωσαν, αἰσχρὸν γάρ ἐστιν γυναικὶ λαλεῖν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ.
1 Corinthians 14:36
Did the word of God come from the ultimate source of you? Has it [the word of God] come to you only [are you special]?
ἢ ἀφ’ ὑµῶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν, ἢ εἰς ὑµᾶς µόνους κατήντησεν;
Doctrine circulating in the soul of the believer does not get there magically nor does it accumulate automatically in the believer’s soul. God’s plan and instruction for the Christian is found only in one book namely the Bible. A prepared pastor must dig that information out of the Bible and present it to his congregation. So, the believer must accept the authority of that pastor put himself consistently under that person’s teaching ministry.
God has designed a spiritual life that is the same for all believers. All grow in grace and knowledge the same way. There are no special Christians.
Though the highest authority in the early Church Age was the gift of apostleship, some Corinthians had rejected the authority of the Paul. So, Paul has to remind them that his authority and instruction came from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone thinks [subjective thinking related to arrogance] he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you, are the Lord’s commandments.
Εἴ τις δοκεῖ προφήτης εἶναι ἢ πνευµατικός, ἐπιγινωσκέτω ἃ γράφω ὑµῖν ὅτι κυρίου ἐστὶν ἐντολή·
There were those who had the gift of prophecy in the Corinthian Church. However, many who claimed to have this gift or thought themselves to be spiritual giants, weren’t. In any case, no one can function properly in a position of authority or be spiritual unless he recognizes and accepts all legitimate authorities.
1 Corinthians 14:38
But if anyone is ignorant, he continues to be ignorant [unless he changes his mind about learning].
εἰ δέ τις ἀγνοεῖ, ἀγνοεῖται.
Some believers in Corinth were ignorant and proud of it. Arrogant believers are unteachable. A person in a state of ignorance must get back into fellowship, and under God’s authority come to realize the need to learn under a knowledgeable person with a communicative spiritual gift. If not, those believers will remain ignorant of God’s plan for their entire life (2 Peter 3:18).
1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, my brethren [those in the Corinthian Church should seek out those with communicative gifts], desire earnestly to prophesy [in order to receive some teaching] and do not forbid to speak in Tongues [under its proper function and regulation],
ὥστε, ἀδελφοί [µου], ζηλοῦτε τὸ προφητεύειν, καὶ τὸ λαλεῖν µὴ κωλύετε γλώσσαις·
The gift of Language (Tongues) had a purpose until August of 70 AD. So, Paul gave the command not to forbid the communication of the gospel in the local church via the gift of Tongues. However, after the fall of Jerusalem, the Gift of Tongues no longer existed. (You may read the booklet on Tongues by R. B. Thieme Jr.)
Since Corinth was a port city, many merchants and travelers would have to come through Corinth. Many of these unbelievers having nothing to do while waiting for a ship, would enter the church in Corinth. At some point during service, a Corinthian Christian with the Gift of Tongues might communicate the gospel to these visitors.
1 Corinthians 14:40
But all things [in the church] must be done properly and in an orderly manner [under proper authority].
πάντα δὲ εὐσχηµόνως καὶ κατὰ τάξιν γινέσθω.
Since Paul quoted from Isaiah 28, let’s provide some background information. Isaiah’s warned the Northern Kingdom regarding the 5th Cycle of Discipline (Isaiah 28:7-10) and prophesied concerning the Gift of Tongues (Isaiah 28:11, 12b).
Isaiah 28:7-10, "And these [the drunkards of Ephraim: the Northern Kingdom] also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink. The priests and the prophets real with strong drink. They are confused by wine; they stagger from strong drink. They reel while having visions; they stagger when rendering judgment. (8) For all the tables are full of vomit, not a single clean place. (9) To whom shall he teach knowledge [of God’s Word]? To whom shall he cause to interpret the message? Shall he explain the message to those just weaned from their mother’s milk or those taken from their mother’s breast? (10) For principle is added to principle, principle is added to principle, line upon line, line upon line, a little doctrinal teaching here and a little doctrinal teaching there. [In other words, it takes time to learn the spiritual life.]"
כִּי צַו לָצָו צַו לָצָו, קַו לָקָו קַו לָקָו--זְעֵיר שָׁם, זְעֵיר שָׁם.
In 721 BC, the Lord needed a pivot of mature believers in order to preserve the Northern Kingdom. The teenagers and adults were all intoxicated in their pursuit for pleasure; they were self-indulged and preoccupied with themselves. Thus, there was no pivot of mature believers and the little children and infants were too young to form a pivot. Since there was no mature believers in the Northern Kingdom at that time, there was no hope of deliverance, and so the nation was destroyed in 721 B.C.
Prophesy of the Gift of Tongues which would be fulfilled in 30 AD:
Isaiah 28:11, "For with alien articulation, and by means of a foreign language, He will speak to this people [The Jews would hear the gospel in gentile languages on the Day of Pentecost 30 AD. This gift would continue until August of 70 AD.] 12b. but they would not listen."
This was quoted in 1 Corinthians 14:21 and applied to the gift of Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:22. In Acts 2:1-13, 37, 38, we have the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Acts 2:1-13, “When the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled [being observed as a holy day], they [pilgrims from all over the world] were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind [a tornado], and it filled the whole house where they [the disciples] were sitting. (3) And there appeared to them languages being distributed like a fire storm [denoting a comparison], and it [a temporary spiritual gift] rested on each one of them. (4) And they were all [the eleven disciples who were now apostles] filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak-out [the gospel message]. (5) Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout [Jewish religious unbelievers who followed the Mosaic Law well] men, from every [gentile] nation under heaven. (6) And when this loud sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were surprised because they [Jewish pilgrims] were each one hearing them [the apostles] speak in his own [gentile] language [dialektos: a language of a nation]. (7) And they were amazed and marveled, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans [Galileans spoke a poor Aramaic]? (8) And how is it that we each hear them in our own language [dialektos: a language of a nation] to which we were born?” (9) “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia [now Iraq and Iran], Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia [the west coast of Asia Minor what is now called Turkey], (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages [glossa] speaking of the magnificent works of God.” (12) And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (13) But others [religious Jews of Judea] were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet new wine [new wine caused a quick inebriation].”
Ἦσαν δὲ ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴµ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι, ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔθνους τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν· 6 γενοµένης δὲ τῆς φωνῆς ταύτης συνῆλθεν τὸ πλῆθος καὶ συνεχύθη, ὅτι ἤκουον εἷς ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ λαλούντων αὐτῶν. 7 ἐξίσταντο δὲ καὶ ἐθαύµαζον λέγοντες, Οὐχ ἰδοὺ ἅπαντες οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ λαλοῦντες Γαλιλαῖοι; 8 καὶ πῶς ἡµεῖς ἀκούοµεν ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ ἡµῶν ἐν ᾗ ἐγεννήθηµεν; 9 Πάρθοι καὶ Μῆδοι καὶ Ἐλαµῖται, καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταµίαν, Ἰουδαίαν τε καὶ Καππαδοκίαν, Πόντον καὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν, 10 Φρυγίαν τε καὶ Παµφυλίαν, Αἴγυπτον καὶ τὰ µέρη τῆς Λιβύης τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην, καὶ οἱ ἐπιδηµοῦντες Ῥωµαῖοι, 11 Ἰουδαῖοί τε καὶ προσήλυτοι, Κρῆτες καὶ Ἄραβες, ἀκούοµεν λαλούντων αὐτῶν ταῖς ἡµετέραις γλώσσαις τὰ µεγαλεῖα τοῦ θεοῦ.
Acts 2:37-38, "Now when they heard this [concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ], they were pierced to the heart [They understood the gospel via common grace, but were still holding back.], and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Honorable, brethren, what shall we do [compare with Acts 16:31]?” (38) And Peter said to them, “Change your thinking [metanoeo: change your thinking about Christ and believe in Him], and let each of you [this is a classical Greek syntactical break: after your salvation has been completed] be baptized in the person of Jesus Christ [water baptism teaching retroactive and current positional truth] because of the forgiveness of your sins [pre-salvation sins]; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [the Filling of the Holy Spirit].”
Ἀκούσαντες δὲ κατενύγησαν τὴν καρδίαν, εἶπόν τε πρὸς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς ἀποστόλους, Τί ποιήσωµεν, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί; 38 Πέτρος δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς, Μετανοήσατε, καὶ βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑµῶν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόµατι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁµαρτιῶν ὑµῶν, καὶ λήµψεσθε τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύµατος·