The Bible is full of examples of involuntary physical movements or God moving people, here are a few:
- When God’s glory came down on Solomon’s temple, God disturbed the service order. (1 Kg. 8:11)
- When the Spirit of God came upon king Saul, he found himself “uncontrollably” prophesying and stripping off his clothes. (1 Sam. 19:19-24)
- The disciples were apparently in the middle of their prayers when the Spirit interrupted them and all of them spoke in tongues at the same time. (Acts 2:2-4)
- Cornelius and his household could not “control” their tongues long enough to let Peter finish his gospel preaching. (Acts 10:44-46)
Imagine these things manifest inside our churches today.
- A room full of youth suddenly begun to speak in tongues all at once at the same time while the Pastor Peter is still preaching.
- Deacon Saul began to prophesy uncontrollably when he approaches the altar.
- Pastor Daniel began to tremble without any reason apparent to the congregation.
- Critics that have not personally experience this moving of the Spirit would object, “God is a God of order. We should do everything decently and in order.”
Interestingly, objectors may even come from groups that have numerous “out of control” manifestations in the history of their church movement, such as the Pentecostals, Methodists and Charismatic movement. It goes to show many Christians are not in touch with their historical roots.
This scripture – decent and in order – is very familiar in some circles, that’s because it is used so much by revival critics. It is used so much because it is the only scripture that seems to go against involuntary physical manifestation.
But wait, Corinthians is not talking about Outpouring of the Spirit. It is talking about tongues and interpretation.
In my meeting I would not let someone who wants to talk in tongues to the people interrupt my preaching, but like the Apostles in Acts 2 and Peter in Acts 10, I will let an outpouring of the Spirit interrupt me.