Question: The church has stated that it does not allow tongues speaking in its worship services. Doesn't this contradict 1 Cor. 14:39, which says that we should not forbid tongues speaking?

Answer: We do not forbid tongues speaking. We forbid it only during worship services. Members are welcome to speak in tongues as a private prayer language or in small groups composed of people who know that tongues-speaking is allowed in that particular small group.

We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including miraculous gifts such as healing. But we do not believe that every Christian should have the same gift. We do not believe that all Christians ought to seek the gift of tongues.

We welcome tongues-speakers into our fellowship, as long as they do not use their gift in a contentious or offensive way. Paul's message in 1 Cor. 14, summarized in verse 40, emphasizes order in the worship service, each activity at an appropriate time. In our tradition, we do not use the worship services for any of the miraculous gifts. There are other times when such gifts are more appropriate.

July 1997 Worldwide Church of God

"Why We Do Not Allow the Gift of Tongues in Our Services"

"This gift has caused such a problem in the Corinthian church, Paul had to write an entire chapter (1 Cor. 14) of guidelines.

"1. It is for personal edification, not for the whole church. `He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who preaches edifies the church.' 1 Cor. 14:4

"2. We are to focus on building up others, not ourselves. `Unless you speak intelligible words...you will just be speaking into the air.... Try to excel in the gifts that build up the church.' 1 Cor. 14:9 & 12

"3. It confuses unbelievers in the service. `...if some unbelievers come in, will they not say you are out of your mind?' 1 Cor. 14:23

"4. Ideally, it is not meant to be used in the worship service. `In the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, stop thinking like children!' 1 Cor. 14:19-20

"`The gift of speaking God's message should be under the speaker's control, because God does not want us to be in disorder, but in harmony and peace.' 1 Cor. 14:32-33 "