“When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
This is quite different from most contemporary Church services, where only a select few people are given permission to speak, teach, and share revelation from God, while the rest of the body sits around and watches.
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
The Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues was a common practice in the New Testament, but it had restrictions. “If someone speaks in a tongue” implies that it does not always happen, but it does on occasion. Paul recommends that if someone speaks in a tongue, that no more than two or three speak, and only one at a time. If a message in tongues is given, there must be an interpretation, because without interpretation tongues does not benefit the body. (Everything that is done in a church gathering should benefit the entire Body)
“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” (1 Corinthians 14:29-31)
Paul encourages that two or three should speak, but in our modern churches we have been told that only the preacher should speak.
The problem that Paul was addressing is a common issue, people sharing out of turn. It is easy to be impatient when you are excited about sharing something that God has done in your life, or something that God has revealed to you. But Paul instructs us to all take turns and give room for others to speak as well. This is so that everyone can be instructed and encouraged. If everyone tries to talk at once, then no one is being heard, so take turns and respect others as they speak.
This is a great problem to have, people who are so eager to share what God has been doing in their lives that they can’t wait to take their turn. The problem arises when they get in such a hurry to share that they inturrupt someone else while he is already speaking.
When God is moving in people’s lives, they are eager to share it with others.
The example of Church that we find in the Bible is a gathering of believers who build each other up, take turns sharing revelation and prophecy, the gifts and leading of the Holy Spirit is obvious, and every member participates actively in the ministry and fellowship of the Church.
What a beautiful example of the harmony that occurs when the Church functions as it was designed to.