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| Illustration by Judith Clingan |
Paul says:
"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged."
"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged."
"The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the assemblies of the Lord’s people."
"Wives should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a wife to speak in the church..."
"If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
If we limit the definition of a prophet to miraculous situations or only to those who foretold the future then we are leaving out vital information.
Paul says:
"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged."
So, we have here a "revelation" comes to someone who is sitting at the Lord's Table. There is no need to insist this must be miraculous anymore than "instruction" and "encouragement" must be miraculous. All three can be non-miraculous and for the purpose of edifying the church (1 Cor. 14:1-40). Prophets were more "forth-tellers" than future "fore-tellers" anyway.
Also, why would anyone need to "weigh carefully what is said" God's "plain truth?" The way we do things, they should just "submit" to the "authority" of what is said. The way Paul says do it, there is equal function among all.
I've always liked this quote from John Mark Hicks:
He has become the "spokesman" (only prophet) for the local congregation and/or elders and they (GPs) themselves have evolved into a class of people since we made that position an employee of the church. In our model, "truth" is viewed as a settled package to be repeated weekly, and "elder expediency" reduced it to one man.
What we do is not what Paul wrote. Not even close. And that ain't good for those who make as bold a claims as some coCs make! In fact, it's a solid step in the direction of cultish behavior among congregations.
The kingdom of God is about power:
"But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." (1 Cor. 4:19f)
And we need to continue challenging (weighing carefully) the powers that be for everyone's good.
If we limit the definition of a prophet to miraculous situations or only to those who foretold the future then we are leaving out vital information.
Paul says:
"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged."
So, we have here a "revelation" comes to someone who is sitting at the Lord's Table. There is no need to insist this must be miraculous anymore than "instruction" and "encouragement" must be miraculous. All three can be non-miraculous and for the purpose of edifying the church (1 Cor. 14:1-40). Prophets were more "forth-tellers" than future "fore-tellers" anyway.
Also, why would anyone need to "weigh carefully what is said" God's "plain truth?" The way we do things, they should just "submit" to the "authority" of what is said. The way Paul says do it, there is equal function among all.
I've always liked this quote from John Mark Hicks:
"While the prophets of Israel peeked behind the scenes and saw the future in some cases, their main function was to prosecute, rebuke, and confront the people of God. They called Israel to renewal and recommitment; they called them out of their injustices and idolatries."Historically, our people have been conditioned to define "Bible words in Bible ways," but we really don't do this in action when it comes to prophesying in the assembly. We have created the position of "gospel preacher" in churches of Christ which is a synonym for Protestant pastor, and have relegated the role of prophets in our assemblies down to one man.
He has become the "spokesman" (only prophet) for the local congregation and/or elders and they (GPs) themselves have evolved into a class of people since we made that position an employee of the church. In our model, "truth" is viewed as a settled package to be repeated weekly, and "elder expediency" reduced it to one man.
What we do is not what Paul wrote. Not even close. And that ain't good for those who make as bold a claims as some coCs make! In fact, it's a solid step in the direction of cultish behavior among congregations.
The kingdom of God is about power:
"But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." (1 Cor. 4:19f)
And we need to continue challenging (weighing carefully) the powers that be for everyone's good.
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