If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way. (vv. 37-40)

In this chapter, Paul gives specific instructions that were necessary for the church in Corinth at that time. However, his instructions are still applicable to us today. The two main instructions concern when to speak in tongues in the church and that women should be silent in the churches.

God ordained that the gospel be preached rapidly, and as a result, the churches grew exponentially. Tongues were used for this growth. There is some debate about what tongues are; they were foreign languages. However, we no longer need tongues in the same way because the Bible has now been written and translated into numerous languages. In the early church era, tongues were spoken frequently in the churches, but they were not understood by many because they were foreign languages.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together and they were bewildered, because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2: 4-6)

I have met a few people who said they could speak in tongues when praying. They said that they do not know what they are saying, but can vaguely feel what they are speaking about. They genuinely believe that tongues are angels’ languages and that this is proof that they have the Holy Spirit. However, speaking in tongues does not prove anything. God gave us the Bible for a reason. If tongues were truly the languages of heavenly beings, then we should all speak in tongues, understand what they mean (or at least have interpreters in every church), and we would not need to read the Bible.

Paul emphasized the importance of prophecy because prophecy is a form of teaching. Prophecy tells us what God has in mind and is directly related to the kingdom of God that is coming soon. Prophecies are written in the Bible, and no prophets spoke new things, but rather the same things.

Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. (vv. 29-33)

In Paul’s time, and even now, there are many false prophets. If two prophets deliver contradictory messages, one of them must be false. But how do we know which one is true? The Bible presents one overarching theme and one unified message. Those who do not understand this message will eventually follow false prophets. Throughout history, the Church has tested claims of prophecy and established doctrines so that believers can commonly agree on what God reveals and reject false teachings. Among the most important doctrines are those expressed in the Three Ecumenical Creeds.

Regarding the instruction that women should not speak in the churches, we must understand that there is no gender distinction in the kingdom of God. However, we still live in this world, where gender roles exist. In the early church, there was confusion and the presence of false believers. Rules had to be established to reduce conflict and disorder.

It is not strange that God appointed a man as the head of the household to teach us about the relationship between Christ and the Church. The Church is not superior to Christ and yet, Christ shares everything with His bride.

Then the man said, “At last this is bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called ‘woman,’ Because she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:23-24)

Whether men, women, or children, we are all prophets who must speak the truth. Truth cannot be silenced. Remember that God appointed Deborah as a prophetess for His purposes.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel went up to her for judgment. (Judges 4:4-5)