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

The Prophetic Confusion at Corinth

sentence spoken forth, then a pause to see if an interpreter is present to give the interpretation, will answer the question.If the person insists that there is a message requiring interpretation, the leader of the meeting can simply ask publicly if anyone present can interpret. Verse 29. Let two or three. As with tongues and interpretation, so also with prophecy. Once again Paul advocates the sharing of time, with no one person monopolizing the meeting.Prophecy is subject to judgment, discernment and the weighing of content, and it is most helpful for prophe cies to be spaced so that any appropriate pastoral comments can be inserted.Fee suggests: "This does not mean that in any given gathering there must be a limit of only two or three prophecies....Rather it means that there should not be more than three at a time before 'the others dis cern [what is said, is implied]."' 44 The evaluation of prophecy is essential, for as George Montague observed: "No prophet can claim absolute authority for what he says, and there can be degrees of validity to prophetic speech." 45 The term prophets, incidentally, is best understood in terms of "func tional language"-that is, "similar to the use of 'interpreter' in v.28, and [meaning], as in v.3, 'the one who is prophesying."' 46 This interpretation is borne out by a number of thoughtful commentators.In the light of the context of 1 Corinthians 14, it makes sense that the "prophets" referred to here (but not necessarily elsewhere) are simply those who prophesy. 47 Verse 30. If a revelation is made. A revelation is initiated by God.It comes spontaneously as an immediate word of communication brought by the Holy Spirit. Keep silent. When the Holy Spirit is moving, it is not unusual for a number of people to experience prophetic impressions. This does not mean, however, that such an experience justifies jumping up and taking over the meeting.Prophetic people tend to be fluent, so Paul urges them to recognize that others may also have something to say.Everyone should keep in mind that a person prophesies something revealed by God.Church members should not be sitting around trying to think up a message! We must learn to be quiet and listen to whatever the Lord brings through our brother or sister, being sensitive to the spirit of cooperation and sharing. Sometimes a novice feels that a spiritual thought must be immediately communicated to the church, regardless of who is speaking or what is happening.The Holy Spirit is not quenched or frustrated if a person waits politely for the appropriate opportunity for expression.Prophets can feel impressed by the message they have to deliver, but they must also accept the importance and timeliness of someone else's contribution. Verse 31. All... all... all.... Paul makes the point strongly that every one has the opportunity to participate, learn and be exhorted. 227 ■