Wednesday | 07 January 2026
The first implication of entering rest, by being born again and being immersed into the name of the Father, the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit through discipleship, was the hearers’ participation in the four dimensions of the agape meal. As Luke noted in the book of Acts, ‘Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ Act 2:41‑42.
The ministry of rest continues in and from the fellowship of the agape meal, by the Spirit. This rest can be proclaimed through tongues. Interestingly, Paul said that a person who speaks in tongues ‘speaks mysteries’. 1Co 14:2. However, speaking in tongues only profits those who hear it, when it is ministered as a gift of prophecy accompanied by an interpretation from another. This is particularly for the benefit of an unbeliever, or an uninformed person. They are able to bear witness that God is among us when they hear the word in their own tongue, as happened on the Day of Pentecost, or when the secrets of their heart are revealed by the word. 1Co 14:23‑25.
The ministry of spiritual gifts in the agape meal, publicly and from house to house, are a further expression of the rest and refreshing that belongs to our fellowship together in Yahweh. Paul explained that the manifestation of the Spirit through the exercise of the diversity of spiritual gifts is for the profit of all. 1Co 12:4‑7. It is a ministry of blessing. These gifts may include words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. 1Co 12:8‑10. Importantly, ‘one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills’. 1Co 12:11.
Further Study:
I Corinthians 14
References:
Act 2:41-42
Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1Co 14:2
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1Co 14:23-25
Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus, the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
1Co 12:4-11
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.