In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, we see a form of proclamation that is as scarce as hen's teeth in our generation. The passage describes a small group being attended by observing unbelievers and "ungifted ones." The group itself contains 100% "gifted ones" who are all prophesying("all" means "all," all of the time). "Prophesying" is precisely what Paul expects from all believers, for he specifically states "all should prophesy" in 1 Cor. 4:1.
Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives makes reference to cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains but ignores another domain: revelation. The form of proclamation of the gospel mentioned here is in the revelation domain. It can only take place when the indwelling Christ manifests His presence by empowering the believers in the group to prophesy, to reveal His Presence and Power.
When and where does this take place in our generation? How do we prepare new believers to understand how Christ reveals His inner presence through them? Have you ever heard a sermon, listened to a teaching, or read a book that clearly shares how we enter this level of proclamation?
I am curious to know if anyone reads my blog. I get no responses. This time, if you have read what I wrote, please leave a comment. When and where have you personally experienced this?
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Long long time ago, when I was in the south Korea, when I was a kind of teacher teaching at night school for the poor and young guys of broken families, one of the teachers said "I believe God whenever I see you," I remembered it. This is my personal experience, but it was not about Christian group. I thought that "the Incarnated love for the unbelievers" in Christian individuals could be good proclamation towards them. Thank you for your writing, Uncle Ralph.
ReplyDeleteHi Ralph. I was stirred and challenged when you shared on 1Cor 14:24,25 at the Cell Missions Conference in Taiwan in 2002. When you said that you actually wanted these verses on your tombstone, I was blown away! It's not every day you hear an old Baptist say things like that! You said the reason you wanted these particular verses on your headstone was because they described a fully functioning NT small group/church!
ReplyDeleteThe book of Acts and the description of the forward motion of church would be non-existent without the flow of prophecy amongst the believers. Calling, commissioning, ratifying, edifying, encouraging and comforting and finally, foretelling!
Under the Old Covenant they had the school of the prophets, so we should be teaching new Christians as part of discipleship, how to flow in the gift of prophecy.
No wonder the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian Believers (and all of us) to 'burn with zeal' for the gift of prophecy! 1Cor 14:1. It is interesting that Paul describes 'prophecy' as uncovering hidden secrets in people's lives in verse 24 - which he knows will result in conversion to Christ? I'm personally convinced that all of the other gifts flow from and through the gift of prophecy. Hence, a 'Word of Knowledge' revealing people's 'secrets?'
This is clearly demonstrated when Jesus did this in John 4 with the woman at the well. One little insight into her 'secrets' and she was totally convinced that He was the Messiah. One sentence revealing her past 5 'husbands' and her current live in lover - and she ran back and told all her neighbors to come and meet a man who told me everything I've ever done? Wow! We need these gifts!
If Christians begin to prophecy and start using the Apostle Paul's safe guidelines of 'edification, exhortation and comfort' - then God can flow other gifts via the 'mouth.' Half of the battle is helping people gain in confidence and faith to step out knowing God wants to bless, encourage and build His Body through these wonderful gifts.
One thing is for sure, the cell is the safest and most ideal place for gaining experience in learning how to hear the voice of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through each of us.
Jesus promised all of us that the Holy Spirit would show us 'things to come.' Isa 45:11 and John 16:13. I have always been hesitant to encourage any form of foretelling as I've seen and heard some rubbish over the years - but......in Acts 20:23 & 21:4 Paul is warned about his future by 'disciples' that he met. Paul knew his future before other believers ratified what God had already shown him. Do we need ratification by others if God has already shown/told us? Apparently so. It was no small thing that Paul had to face, and consequently, everywhere Paul went he was receiving the same warning from Christians he met in his travels. That kind of confirmation is fore-arming - and does let us know that God is in charge and that it truly is His will.
It does amaze me that in Act 21:10-14 a reliable, accepted NT prophetic ministry by the name of Agabus turned up to the house Paul was staying at, and once again, foretold his future suffering in Jerusalem and Rome! What astounds me is the reactions of every Christian present. They couldn't believe God would do this to Paul! They all started crying and interpreted the warning as an opportunity for Paul to avoid the troubles ahead of him? I love v13 where Paul says: why do you 'unnerve me' with your tears? JBP. Or 'break my heart' NLT. Or finally, Eugene Peterson's Message Bible: “Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me?
Amazing isn't it? When God speaks, we can all put our interpretations upon what He has said for a particular individual. But Paul knew what the will of the Lord was for his life - In chains in Jerusalem and off to Rome as a prisoner. This was ratified by an angel when he was below decks on a boat traveling to Rome. He truly was in the centre of God's will for his life. Act 27:23,24.
Obviously, part of prophetic training should be the warning from Paul once again, that if you leave the safe ground of exhortation, edification and comfort and begin to warn or foretell, that you should let others judge. If it is a prophetic word of caution or warning or foretelling, there should be judgement by mature prophets - those with a proven track record of reliability and leadership acceptance in the local church.
We should also teach and train new Christians to use the gifts in their sharing of the Gospel - outside of the church.
I'm committed to the fact that God has more to say to us than we're willing to hear! We just need to willing to participate in His power & purposes by perceiving His presence and allow Him to flow through us - with blessing to others.
U. Ralph I have been enjoying your writings as much as ever and noticed you get few comments. As you asked I respond! A young Chinese boy I became friends with who never heard of 'Jesus' and although we started 'How to have a successful life' 9 years ago it didn't make sense to him. We took it up 9 years later and he completed 3 lessons each wk on the 3rd wk I asked if he understood the gospel, to which he replied "I became a Christian last wk" How? I met Christ in your 'Cell' group as EACH ONE shared 'When did God mean more than a word to you? What a joy it was to see Crist working through HIS BODY. HE is now married to a Canadian missionary and living back in China.
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