Church of the Vine Articles

Prophecy One By One

  • 05/27/09
  • Written by Brad Willson

Prophecy One By One

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

1 Corinthians 14:31(NIV)

 

The subject of prophecy has been widely discussed and argued over the entire history of the church.  The last 30 years have been no different.  For some, prophecy is all about the end times, and what will happen when.  For others, the emphasis is on personal and/or predictive prophecy by which the Holy Spirit inspires on to speak words to others.  For part of the church, prophecy is no issue at all because this group sees prophecy as a dynamic that ended with the apostolic era.  Regardless of what we may have been taught, we can be struck by the simplicity of this statement by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.  When we are together as believers, all of us, Paul says, can prophecy so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.   

 

Earlier, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter had predicted this very thing, using the same term, propheteo:  Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy (Acts 2:17).  Earlier in chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians, Paul had actually instructed the believers to desire or seek after the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:1).  Indeed, if you read the rest of 1 Corinthians 14, you will find very interesting teaching about prophecy, and why it has the place of importance that God gives it.   So, let’s just ask and attempt to answer three questions from 1 Corinthians 14:31:

 

Who can prophesy? 

 

Paul’s answer is that all believers can.  This is so important because it again reminds us that ministry is not in the hands of the few, the elite, the seminary-trained, the ‘clergy’, or the ‘ordained’.  Ministry-all ministry-is to be manifest in the whole church; in every believer; in all; believers!

 

What is prophecy?

 

Prophecy is simply speaking forth, or speaking to another.  That is what the word means in the original  language.  This does not mean it is just ‘talking’, there are other words for that.  It also does not specifically mean ‘preaching’, there are also a specific set of words for that.  Prophecy, rather is something like speaking forth under the influence of the Holy Spirit-something only believers are able to do.  It does not need to predict the future.  It does not need to tell something about a situation not yet known.  It may include these, but it is always a speaking forth by faith and the inspiration of God, something for others.  And this leads to why it is so important.

 

Why is prophecy important?

 

  1. So what are waiting for?   We can all prophesy one by one!

 

  • How do you deal with the notion that all can prophesy?
  • What hinders us from freely participating in this gift?
  • How can you see yourself beginning to speak to your brothers and sisters in this way?  Is it important?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be upon us!