34.What about those who prophesy? .

Back to Study the Book of First Corinthians

Two or three should speak and the others should judge what is stated, weighing the prophecies against the Scriptures and against what is appropriate for the occasion.

Since those who are prophesying are instructing the assembly, it is necessary that godly and experienced elders in an attitude of prayer listen carefully to everything that is said.

It is not unusual for new Christians or those who are learning to prophesy, to be half "in the flesh" and half in the Spirit. What do we do about that?

We encourage them to keep trying so they will learn what is of the Spirit and what is of the flesh.

If the saints of the assembly are praying and living a godly life, the Holy Spirit will be present in strength in the meetings. When the novices prophesy the Holy Spirit will bring their utterances into an increasingly more accurate and complete expression of His mind.

If there is an individual whose heart is not right, who is not abiding in the Lord and who keeps on attempting to control the assembly through his prophesying, he must be taken aside by the elders and admonished. If an assembly is strong enough in the Holy Spirit the offender may leave of his own accord because he feels the rebuke of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide the elders in dealing with those who persist "in the flesh."

In the case of the beginner in prophesying who is part "in the flesh" and part in the Spirit, he or she should not be denounced in public. The prevailing fear that someone will be "in the flesh" has caused the administration of the Christian churches to organize the services in such a manner that there is no time or opportunity for the saints to express themselves. Such repression is accomplished in the name of preventing "wildfire" or "losing control of the service."

The time during which there might have been participation by the saints is occupied with musical "specials," which most certainly are "in the flesh" the greater part of the time and have little or no value in building the saints and should be discontinued in the Christian churches. They are worthless. In almost every instance musical "specials" serve only to glorify the performers and entertain the believers.

The godly elders of the assemblies of God’s emerging remnant are responsible to discontinue the babylonish (manmade, man-centered, man-directed) practices that have prevented the formation of the army of God. The coming persecution and spiritual oppression will leave no place for the traditional fleshly religious ceremonies of the churches. The assemblies of the future will be fortresses. People will find refuge in them from the howling, demoniac insanity of the world cultures.

The assemblies of today are occupied largely with what is worthless, and there is little expectation of participation in gifts and ministries by the believers. The revelations, tongues, and prophesying of which Paul speaks are not practiced, in many instances. We have organized the services in such a manner that the congregations "congregate" and sit still during the "service." This is the way we want it!

Since the Body can come to maturity only through the grace each part supplies, the Body remains immature and fragmented.

Teachers and preachers of the Gospel are "in the flesh" much of the time and make many mistakes. Yet we do not put them down publicly. Rather we pray they will grow in power and effectiveness. And they do!

The members of the assemblies should be encouraged to participate. The elders are responsible that every assembly of the saints is sufficiently open to the Holy Spirit that the gifts and ministries can operate. The elders are responsible that the participation is orderly and edifying. There are assemblies in which participation must be limited to "those on the platform," such as during an evangelistic campaign. But such gatherings are not designed for the growth of the members of the Body of Christ.

Evangelistic services, meetings dedicated to the conversion of unsaved people, are in order in the Kingdom of God. Participation by the saints in gifts and ministries may be out of place in such services. But, evangelistic services are not normal assemblies of saints. If a church has only evangelistic services the saints will not grow in the Lord.

The beginner in spiritual gifts will make many mistakes and will act "in the flesh." This is to be expected. The first time a Christian prophesies he no doubt will come short of the standard set by Isaiah and Jeremiah.

If the novice is denounced publicly for immaturity of expression or is criticized by other believers, it is probable that he or she will cease endeavoring to learn to manifest the Spirit and will bow to the pressure to conform to the group. Conforming to the group means sitting silently while the "minister" teaches or preaches from the Bible or from some other source of information.

The elders are to guide participating saints into fruitful expression, but there can be little guidance if the saints sit silently in the assembly. A ship cannot be steered while it is anchored in the harbour.

It is better to have much participation with some "wildfire" mixed in than to have no fire at all.

Back to Study the Book of First Corinthians

Back to Chapter Fourteen..