(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

This is another difficult passage for me to expound because speaking in tongues has never been a problem among the Christians I have fellowship with! I have no personal experience of receiving supernatural gifts of any sort. However, I have been in gatherings of Grace Baptists where something akin to speaking with tongues happens and I have prophesied from time to time although in partnership with the Spirit rather than overwhelmed by him.

The whole passage is about prophecies' superiority over speaking in tongues when the church meets together for worship. It is, therefore, appropriate to deal with 1Cor14v1to25 in one exposition even if it turns out to be longer than usual.

(B) The gift of prophecy.

(1) All should desire it.

Paul indicates that every Christian should desire the gift of prophecy. It is a gift for all. Paul wrote: Eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. v1. I would like everyone of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. v4. But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while every body is prophesying. v24.

Prophecy is not expository preaching although in the course of an exposition the speaker might prophesy. Not every Christian is capable of expository preaching. It requires sustained study and a certain level of intellectual ability. Nor would we want a church full of preachers all eager to get into the pulpit ... vying with one another to have their say.

Prophecy is something that can be done habitually or occasionally. If a man or woman habitually prophesied he or she was called a prophet. It seems likely, as Paul wished all the church members at Corinth had this gift, that it involved short statements rather than long discourses!

(2) What it wasn't.

It is worth examining in some detail verse 6: Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? This verse is very helpful because it indicates what prophecy isn't. It isn't:

(a) A revelation: A new insight into divine truth such as Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount or Paul gave to the Corinthians when writing about the resurrection of the body.

(b) Knowledge: Information about the Old Testament, the life and teaching of Jesus, church affairs and individual experience. Stephen included much factual material in his sermon to the Jews before being stoned to death. Paul provided knowledge about himself in his testimony at his trials.

(c) A word of instruction: Clarifying, elaborating and reinforcing Christian truth. Jesus did this when he taught the lawyer how to identify his neighbour in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Paul did it when he taught the Corinthians about the Lord's Supper.

So prophecy is quite distinct from any of these three things.

(3) Some help from the Old Testament.

Prophecy, as practised by the early church, must have closely resembled what the Old Testament prophets did. If this was not the case why was the name retained? Men like Jeremiah and Isaiah brought a message from the Lord that addressed the situation in which God's people found themselves. This is what Isaiah wrote:

The Lord has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him that is weary. Is50v4.

"I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely
for my anger has turned
away from them .
I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like the lily." Hosea14v4and5.

Anyone can be used in a church to declare God's will in a given situation. A word of prophecy is required when a fellowship is in disarray, despondent, fearful, uncertain, discouraged, disobedient, disunited, slack, over-confident, proud .... and so on. The prophet will specifically target the state that gives cause for concern.

(4) The chief purpose of prophecy.

Paul described the prime purpose of prophecy in these words: But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. v3. Let us look in more detail at these three key objectives:

(a) Strengthening or building up: The prophet aims to build confidence, resolution, unity and courage.

(b) Encouragement: This can be done be reminding the church of God's love and power, Christ's high priestly role, the work of the Holy Spirit, past blessings and the Christian's future reward.

(c) Comfort: What a blessed comfort it is to be reassured of God's grace, Christ's mercy, the Spirit's presence and the love of our fellow believers.

(5) Does prophecy occur in non-charismatic churches?

Well I am bound to say that it does! It even happens in my own Grace Baptist church!!

One Sunday morning our visiting preacher, Robin Williams, said, "The Lord has laid on my heart to bring you a word of encouragement." He told us how God had been very precious to him during a long and serious illness. Robin experienced God's presence in such a real way that he was almost grateful to have been brought so low. The Lord was with him throughout his ordeal, sustaining and strengthening him. Robin's message was a word of encouragement and it is significant that many months later I can still remember the gist of it! On that Sunday morning Robin prophesied.

Some months ago I conducted a very difficult church meeting that arose because two folk had questioned the way our deaconess participated in the Communion Service. There was considerable disagreement on the way the matter should be resolved. Eventually, future policy was decided on the casting vote of the chairman - myself! I then prophesied. I addressed the situation we were in. I told the church members that they must accept the decision that had been taken and put the affair behind them. I urged them not to dwell on what had transpired, not to talk about it or discuss it, but to accept that things had been settled. The church members did as I asked - so I prophesied effectively!

I believe most churches need more prophecy. Sadly we do not really encourage people to exercise this gift nor do we provide many opportunities in our services for anyone to deliver a word from the Lord. In this respect, at least, charismatic churches have the advantage.

(6) Incidental blessing

Paul described a surprising result of prophecy: But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you." v24and25.

When people prophesy they speak spontaneously, freely, with conviction and power. Paul seems sure that this will:

(a) Convince the unbeliever or enquirer of sin. The non-Christian will realise that their relationship with God does not allow them to speak with the fervour, assurance, devotion and personal knowledge of the prophet.

(b) Show the unbeliever the state of his heart. The non-Christian will realise that in comparison with those prophesying with such confidence and gratitude he lacks genuine love for God.

(c) Create an awareness of God's presence in the fellowship. The uncommitted will declare: "God is really among you!" v25. What a testimony! We could ask for no better response that that! Surely the churches need more, not fewer, prophets!