Yesh, I, too, currently go to a Vineyard and have experienced some of the same thing you talk about. I happen to like it (most of the time), but I think I do see your point and think that the Scripture reference you mention is relevant to the situation. Here's how I understand it at this point...A key verse in understanding this is verse 1 Cor. 14:30, which is just two verses down from the one you have referenced (v. 28). It gives us some insight into what Paul was thinking about in this passage. 1 Cor. 14:30"But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent." Now, I don't know if this can be proven, but here's what I get out of that verse. Let's ask ourselves this question- why did Paul specifically make mention of one "who is seated?" Contemplating that, I believe that the practice in the Corinthian church was that if someone had a prophecy, they would stand up to give it. This practice does seem to make sense. We often do the same thing today even in our secular culture (at least my culture in southern California). In a public meeting, like a company lunch meeting at a workplace, it is a common practice for the one speaking to stand up. I believe that this was how the Corinthian church functioned (at least something like this). If we read chapter 14 in context, an important disctinction seems to be made between private and public speaking. Verse 28 is a prime example of this. How can one "keep silent" and "speak to himself and to God" at the same time? Is it possible to use a gift like tongues privately in a public setting? I believe this is what Paul meant in verse 28 when he said, "but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God" (v. 28). Let's not foget that "church" here does not refer to a building, it refers to the assembly or gathering of saints. Also, from my study I don't think "keep silent" is the best translation for the Greek there. The Greek word is "Sigao" (#4601) which means "to keep silent: keep close (secret, silence), hold peace." It comes from the Greek word "Sige" (#4602) which apparantly comes from "Sizo" which literally means "to hiss, i.e. hist or hush, silence."I am no Greek expert, but it seems clear that this word does not necessarily mean complete silence. If it did, why would Paul say, "let him speak to himself and to God"? The word "speak" here literally means "to utter a voice or emit a sound." So would it be possible to "keep completely silent" and "utter a voice or emit a sound" at the same time? Someone might be thinking, "Paul just means to talk to yourself and God in your head" without any actual movement of the mouth and tongue. But, from what I can tell, this is not only a strain on the Greek, it also seems a strain on the idea of "tongues" in the first place. Can you "speak in tongues" without using your tongue? Perhaps, in a sense, but it does seem to be quite a strain. But, I can speak in tongues to myself (in secret) in a quiet, hushed, whispered, and basically silent manner. My lips are moving and breath is coming out but I'm not engaging the vocal chords so much (or probably at all). I believe this is what Paul was getting at. I think what he is saying is when you are having an assembly, don't speak up in tongues unless there's someone to interpret. But you can speak to yourself in tongues quietly all you want. I think he's contrasting 2 different ways of speaking in tongues. One is speaking up in tongues (probably standing up as well) in the assembly so that the attention of the assembly is focused on you. The other way being quietly and hushed to yourself, which is only intended for private use.I don't know if people are ever praying in tongues "over" somebody else or if they are really praying to themselves and to God in tongues at the same time they are praying for others. I've done this many times. I may be focused on a person in prayer for a season (like 5 or 10 mintues) and there may be moments in between where I kind of get back in tune with God by speaking in tongues but it is intended for myself more than the person I am praying for. Though they can hear it, I think Paul is talking more about intention here. I think that tongues spoken for private use in a public gathering is fine unless the persons idea of "private use" is too loud and it becomes a distraction or problem. Then they probably just need to be told to quiet down. That's my take on it anyway. Obviously there's lots of my own opinion in there. But it does seem clear that the Greek leaves plenty of room for these opinions, and it makes sense to me and it matches my experience.
