Gifts of the Spirit

[Arlene]

In the “Life of the Shepherd II” I believe Pastor Scott said that the discipline of the gift of speaking in tongues and interpretation are only applied in a church building. Did I understand this correctly? In other words can there be speaking in tongues and no interpreter in a home Bible study? Also, not that I’m a teacher of the Word or feel called to teach men in particular, but is it ok for a woman to have a home Bible study in her own home and teach men?

I very much appreciate you answering all of my questions!

[Michael]

Hi Arlene.

You are very welcome. I am here to answer your questions. I apologize for the length of time it took for me to see your questions and get too them. I currently work part time at the church and am not always on the college website, but here it is.

The gifts of the Spirit are to be used properly and in order at all times. If there is someone in a home Bible study and they desire to speak in tongues then there must be an interpreter otherwise that person is to remain silent and use that gift in private. The reasoning for this is that there is no way to edify the body through the use of tongues when no one can understand what is being said. The Apostle Paul gave a great understanding of this in 1 Corinthians 14. I would recommend reading that chapter as it answers your question better than I can. The Holy Spirit is so good to have put this on Paul’s heart to be written down for us.

As to your second question, if there is a lady who desires to have a home Bible study and a man would like to join as a participant then he can listen to what she is teaching. A woman can teach a man, but she is not to set doctrine or deliver discipline in accordance to what is written in 1 Timothy 2:12.

Hope that helps.

Michael Thom
Bible College Director

[Author]

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