The Gift of Prophecy

Introduction

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

Setting the Context:

Proposition:

A Quick Defense of Continuationism:

A Quick Definition of Prophecy:

MP1: Do Not Quench the Spirit

A general command with specific application towards prophecy.

Illustration: Fire.

Application: It is actually possible to

Gordon Fee: “Despite the fact that the ministries of the Spirit can be abused in the Christian community, Paul’s own deep appreciation for the central role of the Spirit in individual and corporate life will not allow for correcting abuse by commanding disuse. Rather, the antidote for abuse is proper use. Hence he begins these exhortations with the general caution, “Do not put out the Spirit’s ‘fire.’”

Gordon Fee: “Because such utterances are from the Holy Spirit, they must not be “despised.” But also because such utterances come through merely human vessels, they must be tested.”

MP2: Test Everything