Other gifts that the Holy Spirit gives are the gift of interpretation of tongues, and the gift of Prophesy.
1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit
distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same
Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in
everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common
good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to
another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another
faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one
Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds
of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All
these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them
to each one, just as he determines.
Although 1 Corinthians 14:2 says that For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no
one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit, however, there are times that the Holy Spirit chooses to give man the interpretation of tongues spoken. On the day of Pentecost, God chose to communicate in earthly languages. On the contrary, a believer may speak in a strange language and the interpretation of the tongues spoken will follow shortly - If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and
each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to
interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself
and to God.
1 Corinthians 14: 27 -28
The above scripture refers to when someone speaks loudly in tongues , not in personal prayer to God but speaks as though he or she is addressing the congregation. With a scenario like this, if there is no interpretation, the one speaking ought to have prayed silently to God.
1 Corinthians 14: 2-5 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Tongues + interpretation = Prophesy
When God wants to talk to His people , He sometimes speaks via the channel of tongues-speaking, followed by interpretation . I have witnessed meetings where someone had spoken loudly in tongues and promptly afterwards the same person had given the interpretation - a prophesy from God. Other times, the interpretation of the tongues spoken came from another person entirely.
I personally have sung tunes in tongues, and the meanings have followed subsequently. That is the gift of interpretation of tongues at play. The gift of tongues edifies the believer who personally prays with it. However, for this gift to be used in addressing many other believers, it ought to be interpreted or else it would sound gibberish.
1 Corinthians 14: 13-15 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
According to the Free Dictionary, Prophesy is a. An inspired utterance of a prophet, viewed as a
revelation of divine will. b. A prediction of the future, made under
divine inspiration.
Therefore, if a believer is inspired by the Holy Spirit to interpret tongues , it becomes a prophesy. There are other times, that God speaks solely via the gift of Prophesy. This is when a believer gives direction, or speaks of things yet to come under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah prophesied about the birth of Jesus, - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. His death was also prophesied in Isaiah 53.
Agabus prophesied about the persecutions Paul was going to face in Jerusalem - Acts 21 : 10-11 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
Shortly after this Prophesy, Paul went to Jerusalem and the words of Agabus came to pass. Acts 21: 33 says The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
Prophesy comes to encourage,strengthen and comfort believers. Sometimes it directs our path and other times, it consoles us, assuring us that God is in control.
We are encouraged to desire the gift of Prophesy, as well us to continue in tongue speaking - 1 Corinthians 14: 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
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