By Beth Jones

Unbelievers are expected to come to our churches! Let's look at this ...

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1 Corinthians 14:22-25, KJV)

Here's a more modern translation ...

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" (1 Corinthians 14:22-25, NIV)

This passage is talking about three groups of people: unbelievers, unlearned and the believers. It's also giving us God's wisdom on the purpose of speaking in tongues publicly and prophesying.

So when we speak in tognues there will be three reactions. Tongues are a sign. At first it almost sounds like this passage is contradicting itself in verses 22 and then 23-25. Here are the three reactions we have seen when someone speaks in tongues.

1. Unbelievers: The unbelievers will think we are crazy. Here's the Greek definition for "unbeliever": (apistos) disbelieving, i.e. without Christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person). Often translated as: believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever.
   
   
2. Unlearned: The unlearned (very likely believers that just don't understand the subject or have been taught against it) will see it as a sign of God's reality. Here's the Grek defn. for "unlearned": (idiotes) (a private person, i.e. (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot"). Often translated as: ignorant, rude, unlearned.
   
   
3. Believers: They love it and they do it. Here's the Greek defn. for "believer": (pisteuo) to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). Often translated as: believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

Now ... here's the point of this article ... I do want to point out another big thing I see in this passage.

The unbelievers came to church!

Isn't that great? Unbelievers are supposed to come to church! Isn't that an awesome little revelation? It was expected. It was normal. It was church as usual to have unbelievers in attendance. I just love that.

The church then was to operate in wisdom and God's decency and order to effectively reach all three groups ... the unbeliever, the unlearned and the believer. What a thrilling challenge for us that lead churches ... to have the type of church that unbelievers will attend ... that unlearned people will grow in ... and that believers will serve in. Love it!

When the unbelievers came in ... it just has such a nice ring to it.

Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.