§ 47. THE STRANGE TONGUES AN OCCASION OF UNBELIEF. The Ap. has striven to wean the Cor [2122] from their childish admiration of the Tongues by showing how unedifying they are in comparison with Prophecy. The Scripture quoted to confirm his argument (1 Corinthians 14:21) ascribes to this kind of manifestation a punitive character. Through an alien voice the Lord speaks to those refusing to hear, by way of “sign to the unbelieving” (1 Corinthians 14:22). These abnormal utterances neither instruct the Church nor convert the world. The unconverted see in them the symptoms of madness (1 Corinthians 14:23). Prophecy has an effect far different; it searches every heart, and compels the most prejudiced to acknowledge the presence of God in the Christian assembly (1 Corinthians 14:24 f.).

[2122] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

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Old Testament