Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
"And let the others judge."
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:29
THE EXERCISE OF THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
Paul went on to address the use of the gift of prophecy. As in the gift of speaking in tongues, the gift of prophecy must be carefully understood and regulated.
“Let two or three prophets speak,
and let the others judge.”
1 Corinthians 14:29
1. “Let two or three prophets speak”
a) This sentence may be compared with the following:
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three,
each in turn, and let one interpret.”
1 Corinthians 14:27
b) Order must be noted
i) Two or three prophets may speak.
ii) One at a time.
2. What is the role of a prophet?
a) Essentially, he brings a special message of the Lord to the Church.
b) Agabus was one of the more well-known prophets in the New Testament era.
c) However, their ministry was eclipsed by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
d) Their roles were rather limited.
3. “And let the others judge”
a) This phrase may be compared to the following:
“And let one interpret.”
1 Corinthians 14:27
b) If the prophet speaks in the language that everyone knows, there would not be a need for an interpreter.
c) The word “judge”
i) The “prophecy” uttered was not meant to be assumed as truly from God.
ii) The words of the so-called prophet were meant to be “judged”.
d) The Church must exercise discernment as to whether the “prophecy” is true.
i) The word must be verified.
ii) The Scriptures must be checked.
iii) No margin of error is allowed.
iv) No word must be accepted before it is “judged”.
v) The danger of being deceived was very real and thus this call for “judging” to be done.
Nothing must be taken for granted to protect the church of God.