© Paul L. Hudson, Jr. 2003
-An excerpt from his (soon to
be released) book on House Church from Chapter 18
What is
Prophesying?
In I
Corinthians 14, Paul encourages the saints to prophesy. But what does it mean to prophesy? Some modern Bible commentators consider
prophesying to be teaching and explaining the scriptures. But is this what the word means in scripture?
Paul makes
a distinction between the gifts prophecy and the gift of teaching.[1] He lists prophets and teachers as different
categories of ministers in the body, ranking prophets before teachers.[2] From Paul’s usage, it is clear that he sees a
difference between prophesying and teaching.
Paul’s
understanding of prophecy is consistent with the Old Testament. In the Old Testament scriptures, we read that
the Levites were to teach the people.[3] But the Lord also raised up prophets among
the people to prophesy His will.
Jesus told
the scribes and Pharisees that He was sending prophets, wise men, and scribes
to them.[4] The scribes and Pharisees were familiar with
the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament scriptures. When we read about the prophets the Lord
established in the church after the resurrection, we need to keep in mind what
a prophet is all throughout scripture. The Old Testament ‘naviy’ are referred
to in the New Testament as ‘prophetes.’
It stands to reason that ‘prophets’ in the church are more or less the
same type of minister as prophets in the Old Testament. Peter gives us a valuable insight into the
nature of Old Testament prophecy when he says that “holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”[5]
Generally, prophesying is speaking
as carried along by the Holy Ghost. It is possible to
prophesy on a musical instrument.[6] A prophet might also communicate his message
partly through physical actions, like burning his hair, or wearing a yoke, or
tying up someone’s hands with a belt.[7]
Many of the
Old Testament prophets would begin their prophecies with statements like “Thus
saith the LORD.” In the New Testament
book of Acts, we read that a prophet started a prophecy in a very similar way,
“Thus saith the Holy Ghost.”[8] As in Old Testament times, New Testament prophets
speak as moved by the Holy Ghost. In
addition, we see that some Old Testament prophesying consisted of retelling
visions or dreams.[9]
Prophecy
can be about many things. Some of Moses’
prophesying looks very much like teaching.
Other Old Testament prophetic books retell visions that are full of
metaphors. Some prophecies sound very
much like words of encouragement. Not
all prophecies predict the future, but some may. What kind of prophecy is given depends on
what the Lord wants to say.
The Lord is
able to speak through men in sin, like Balaam and Caiaphas. He even spoke through the soothsayer Balaam,
who was a type of the ministry of false teachers that deceive the people of God[10]. Caiaphas, the high priest, prophesied about
the death of Jesus while he was plotting with other leaders to kill the
Lord. He probably didn’t even realize
that he was prophesying.[11]
In a church
meeting, prophets can prophesy. But we
also see that ‘…ye may all prophesy….”[12]
The passage even gives instructions about how the prophecies are to be given.
© Paul L. Hudson, Jr. 2003
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[1] Romans 12:6-7.
[2] I Corinthians 12:28. Ephesians 4:11.
[3] Deuteronomy 24:8. II Chronicles 15:3.
[4] Matthew 23:34.
[5] II Peter 1:21.
[6] I Chronicles 25:1.
[7] Ezekiel 5:1. Jeremiah 26:2. Isaiah 20:2-6. Micah 1:8.
Acts
[8] Acts
[9] I Kings
[10] Numbers
[11] John 11:49-52.
[12] I Corinthians 14:31.