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Prophesy in simple church (2) |
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Written by John White
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Saturday, 09 February 2008 |
In my last email, I began to address some of the issues relating to the gift of prophecy. From your responses, I realize that there is more to be said. Specifically, I want to address the importance of this gift.
Prophesy in simple church (2) 5/2002 Dear Church,
In my last email, I began to address some of the issues relating to the gift of prophecy. From your responses, I realize that there is more to be said. Specifically, I want to address the importance of this gift.
1 Cor. 14:1 gives us Paul's view on the subject: "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."
1. The context. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. This church was simply a collection of house churches. (Of course, this was true of all the churches he wrote to. They were all house churches. In fact, lots of his instructions for churches are difficult to implement in what we would call a "traditional church structure".) So, Paul is saying, "There are two things, that, as a house church, you should make a priority."
2. It's both love and gifts. Ever heard someone say, "Why all the emphasis on spiritual gifts? We should just love each other." Paul doesn't fall for this either/or kind of thinking. It's both/and. Paul: "The two priorities are love and gifts. Pursue love. Desire spiritual gifts." (See 1 Cor. 13 for more on love.)
3. Be 'hot' for spiritual gifts. The word which is translated 'eagerly desire' is zeo. (see also 1 Cor. 12:31 and 14:39) It literally means "to sizzle or boil". We get the word "zeal" from this. So, Paul is saying, "As a house church, be hot or passionate or zealous about spiritual gifts."
-Desire them for your church!
-Ask God for them!
-Teach people how to use them!
-Get excited when you see them used correctly!
-Be hot for spiritual gifts!
4. Especially the gift of prophecy. How different from my experience in the church. For most of my early years as a Christian, prophecy was completely ignored. Other gifts, especially teaching, were "eagerly desired". But, clearly, Paul is saying, "All the gifts are important in building up the Body but the gift of prophecy is especially important. Be hot for all the gifts but be most passionate (hottest) for the gift of prophecy!"
"Now we must ask ourselves a hard question today: If Paul was eager for the gift of prophecy to function at Corinth, troubled as the church was by immaturity, selfishness, divisions and other problems, then should we not also be eager for this gift to function once again in our churches today? If we are Christians, and especially evangelical Christians who profess to believe and obey all that Scripture says, should we not also believe and obey these statements on the gift of prophecy?" (Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy, p. 265)
John White
House Church Coach
Denver, CO.
Every Christian a church planter.
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