I. Introduction and Summary
In his book entitled A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles, ((2021) Zondervan Reflective, Grand Rapids, MI) Dr. J. P. Moreland identifies prophesy as one of the ways God speaks to a believer, i.e., the believer hears the supernatural voice of God. I hunger and thirst to hear the supernatural voice of God. Therefore, Dr. Moreland’s identification of “prophesy” caused me to look at his first Scriptural citation of 1 Corinthians 14:1.
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul twice commanded believers to “desire earnestly” (NASB95) the spiritual gift of prophesy. In view of Paul’s command, I wanted to “desire earnestly” the spiritual gift of prophesy in the sense of 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a. This article addresses the following two questions:
First, what did Paul intend to convey to his original audience when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a that they should “desire earnestly” (NASB95) the spiritual gift of prophesy?
Second, how does a 21st Century believer carry out Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a?
In summary, the one correct interpretation of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a, i.e, the meaning of the text, is:
Paul intended to convey to his original audience that every believer must set their heart to intensely seek (and petition God for) the spiritual gift of prophesy (prophēteuō ) whereby when God gives (whether spontaneously or over time) them a message to communicate (e.g., orally or in writing) they do so in love and in an intelligible, articulate and orderly fashion for the common good and benefit (e.g., edification, building up, strengthening, exhorting, encouraging, comforting, consoling, and the like) of the recipient(s) of the message.
The primary legitimate application of the correct interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a is to pray to God that He will give them the spiritual gift of prophesy whereby when God gives (whether spontaneously or over time) them a message to communicate (e.g., orally or in writing) they do so in love and in an intelligible, articulate and orderly fashion for the common good and benefit (e.g., edification, building up, strengthening, exhorting, encouraging, comforting, consoling, and the like) of the recipient(s) of the message.
The above Introduction and Summary is a part of an article entitled I “desire earnestly” to Prophesy: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39a. The article is rather lengthy. If you would like a PDF version of the entire article, please contact me. Thanks, Steve
If You Are an Unbeliever
Please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God, whereby Adam’s sin was passed down to all of humanity, creating a separation between God and humanity. We cannot do anything to bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell is our eternal destination. Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy, God provided us with the only means of salvation through Abraham’s lineage by sending the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, thereby fulfilling the Law, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all people. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, thereby exhausting God’s wrath against humanity. God now calls on every unbeliever to repent of their sins and completely trust in Christ alone that Jesus died for their sins and rose to life from the dead. Every unbeliever who repents and trusts in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of all their sins (past, present, and future) and born again as a new creation in Christ, possessing guaranteed eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
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