Prophesying in the Primitive Church
1 Corinthians 14:24-25
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:…


I. ITS NATURE.

1. Not the prediction of future events (ver. 3), nor ordinarily the discussion of Scripture, since the New Testament was not yet written.

2. But the preaching of New Testament truth already learnt from the apostles and others, under the direct impulse of the Spirit (ver. 30), which was liberally bestowed upon the members of the Church (ver. 24).

II. ITS EFFECTS.

1. The edification of the Church.

2. The conviction of the ignorant and unbelieving — producing awakening of conscience, confession of sin, and the acknowledgment of God's presence.

III. ITS RELATION TO MODERN PREACHING.

1. The direct communications of the Holy Spirit are superseded by the completed canon of Scripture, which must be carefully studied by persons properly qualified, and appointed.

2. Yet it were well if there were less of human art and method and much more of the Spirit's unction and power.

(J. Lyth, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

WEB: But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.




Preaching to Unbelievers
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