Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church

match wits with the philosophers but had meager results to show for his efforts. The pace picked up quickly in Corinth. Paul made immediate contact with the Jewish community, where he met the zealous husband-wife team of Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who were also Messianists (Acts 18:2-3). During the week Paul toiled as an artisan in the marketplace with his new compatriots. From black goat hair they wove material for tents and mantles, which was sold on the spot to passersby. But as he labored at his loom, the apostle boldly shared the Good News to whoever would listen. On the Sabbath he argued the claims of Jesus the Messiah in the synagogue (verse 5). A few Jews responded; many questioned and held back. But some hungry Gentiles snatched up his message eagerly, joining themselves to the Jewish Messianists under Paul's leadership. Jewish resistance to the apostle's claims flared with such intensity that he pulled out of the synagogue, shaking the dust from his garments. Open ing a church next door in the home of Titius Justus, Paul invited believ ing Jews and anyone interested to come. The friction between the two synagogues grew fierce as the distraught Jews found they could not silence Paul physically, outdebate him theologically or refute his scriptural proof that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Their only recourse: to drag him before the secular magistrate Gallio, who surprised everyone by throwing them all (and their religious beliefs) out of his court and even allowing the leader of the synagogue to be beaten (Acts 18:17). With his ministry launched so dramatically, Paul continued his efforts for a year and half in the city, and a strong church resulted. His first epistle to the Corinthians was possibly written in the mid-50s A.D. Evidently the church had written him a letter of inquiry (7:1) and was now sending a delegation of three requesting Paul's judgment on related issues (1 Corinthians 16:17). This epistle was his corrective response to the problems and questions raised by the Corinthian congre gation. Paul realized quickly that their Christian testimony was in jeop ardy because of immorality, disunity and immoderation. Corrupt Corinth seemed to be invading the church! 2 One area of concern: the disorderly operation of spiritual gifts, par ticularly tongues and prophecy. This is the focus of 1 Corinthians 14. This chapter has become very important to contemporary Christians because speaking in tongues and prophesying have once again assumed a position of importance in the Church. As in Bible days, these dynamic spiritual gifts can both benefit and disrupt the local church. Paul was con cerned that the worship gatherings of the Corinthians appeal to both believers and nonbelievers, so he boldly addressed their misguided use of tongues and prophecy during congregational worship. ■ 212