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Dispensationalism IV - Lesson 6
Attached Audio:
- THE GIFT OF TONGUES (Continued)
- The Ceasing of Tongues
- Tongues are never mentioned after 1 Corinthians
- History records the ceasing of tongues
- Tongues ceased with the other sign gifts (Mark 16:17-18 [17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
See All...) - The greatest revivals, missionary work, evangelism, Bible-study, church-building of ages past was accomplished without tongues
- Tongues are a fleshly experience which will be used to bring about the one-world church
- The Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 [8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
See All... - Many struggle with this passage because they focus on the meaning of “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
See All.... - Charismatics identify this as Jesus Christ and, in so doing, put the ceasing of tongues to the time of the return of Christ
- Most Baptists identify this as the completion of the New Testament but then struggle to apply the later “face to face” statement (verse 12) to the word as well.
- However, the theme of this passage is not the identity of that which is perfect. The passage is proving that charity is perfect because it abides even when all else passes away.
- The passage makes more sense when we look at it as a series of proofs for the superiority of charity and not a description of a particular event: neither the second coming or the completion of the New Testament. Consider this outline with a series of proofs for the superiority of charity over all other forms of the working of the God.
- The properties of perfection (1 Corinthians 13:8-9 [8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
See All...) - Most things will cease, but charity is perfect because it will not cease (verse 8)
- Most things are partial, but charity completes that which is partial (verse 9)
- The principle of perfection (1 Corinthians 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
See All...); that which is perfect displaces that which is partial. - The process of perfection (1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
See All...); that which is perfect may slowly replace the partial by a process of maturing as with a child becoming a man. - The prospect of perfection (1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
See All...); absolute perfection will come in that perfect day when we see Christ face to face (Proverbs 4:18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
See All...) - The pinnacle of perfections (1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
See All...). There are levels of perfection, but the greatest perfection is charity. - The argument of this passage
- The Corinthians had placed too much emphasis on the sign gifts
- Paul tried to correct their imbalance by stressing the excellency of charity
- He also referred to the temporary character of the sign gifts
- Their partial nature means that they will be replaced by that which is perfect
- This is much as a person puts away childish things as he becomes a man
- In fact, all partial elements will eventually be made obsolete by the ultimate perfection of charity.
- But for now, they can count on the continuation of faith, hope and charity
- But of these three, charity is the greatest, because only charity will never fail (see Romans 8:24-25 [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
See All...; Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
See All...). - THE MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
- The Positions Paul Held
- A chosen vessel (Acts 9:15-16 [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
See All...; Acts 26:16-18 [16] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; [17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
See All...) - The minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
See All...; Colossians 1:24-25 [24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: [25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
See All...) - The apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
See All...) - With the signs of an apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
See All...) - Considering himself the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9-10 [9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
See All...) - A teacher of the Gentiles (1 Timothy 2:7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
See All...; 2 Timothy 1:11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
See All...) - A prisoner for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
See All...) - The Gospel of the Apostle Paul
- Received by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-17 [11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
[13] For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
[14] And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
[15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
[16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
[17] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
See All...; Galatians 2:1-2 [1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. [2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
See All...) - Titles given to Paul’s gospel
- The gospel of God (Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
See All...) - The glorious gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
See All...; 1 Timothy 1:11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
See All...) - The gospel of the uncircumcision (Galatians 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
See All...) - “My” gospel (Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
See All...; Romans 16:25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
See All...; 2 Timothy 2:8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
See All...) - The gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
See All...) - Other Significant Ministries of Paul
- He received and revealed the grace age mysteries (Ephesians 3:1-9 [1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
[8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
See All...; Romans 15:25-26 [25] But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. [26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
See All...) - He preached the gospel in the regions beyond (Romans 15:20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
See All...; 2 Corinthians 10:16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
See All...) - Paul as a Pattern for Today
- A pattern for salvation (1 Timothy 1:15-16 [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
See All...) - A pattern for service (1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
See All...; Philippians 3:17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
See All...) - A pattern for sound doctrine (2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
See All..., 7) - THE MYSTERIES OF THE AGE OF GRACE
- The Nature of the Grace Age Mysteries
- Not previously known (Ephesians 3:4-5 [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
See All..., 9) - Selectively revealed (Matthew 13:10-11 [10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
See All...; Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
See All...) - Beyond human understanding (1 Corinthians 2:7-10 [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
See All...) - Meant to be taught (1 Corinthians 4:1-2 [1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
See All...) - A List of Grace Age Mysteries
- The mystery of Israel’s blindness (Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
See All...) - The mystery of translation (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
See All...; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
See All...; see Hebrews 11:5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
See All...) - The mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:3-6 [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
See All...; Ephesians 5:29-32 [29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: [30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
See All...; Colossians 4:3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
See All...) – that all [Jew and Gentile] are one in Christ - The mystery of Christ in you (Colossians 1:26-27 [26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
See All...; Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
See All...) - The mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
See All...; John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
See All...) - That God took on a body of flesh in the person of Jesus Christ
- May be the same as the mystery of the Father (Colossians 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
See All...; Matthew 11:27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
See All...; John 10:30I and my Father are one.
See All...) - The mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
See All...; Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
See All...) – the devil incarnate in the antichrist - The mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
See All...; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 [1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
See All...) – evidently, the gospel of the grace of God - The mystery of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
See All...; Titus 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
See All...; Romans 10:17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
See All...; 1 Peter 1:23-25 [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. [24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
See All...) – that the word is the source of salvation and all doctrine - The mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9-10 [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
[10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
See All...; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 [24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
See All...) – God’s purpose for the ages - The mystery of God (Colossians 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
See All...; Revelation 10:7But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
See All...) – God’s plan for the ages
Proverbs 10:15
The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.