Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If anything be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1 Corinthians 14:29-31
Let the prophets speak, Paul commands. So we should let them.
Those who hear the voice of the LORD speaking to His people DO NOT oppose these verses being applied and practiced in the Church.
How could they?
The only people who oppose this being practiced are those to whom this does not fall within the realm of their personal experience – they don’t understand what Paul is saying here, bcos they have not experienced what is described here : which is, a people who have a living and vital word from God for His Church revealed to them.
If anything be revealed... The only people who will oppose this are those who do not have the word of the LORD revealed to them.
If Paul came back today and spoke these same words in your Church, how many could receive it? They oppose it bcos they do not hear His voice.
Granted, you may never have taken notice of these verses before – it may be something new to you, but now that you have read what God has commanded, be careful not to oppose Him. If you oppose and prevent what Paul commanded here (or anywhere else) then you oppose God.
Please see Comments for an explanation of what Prophecy is.
Ian Vincent 
February 28, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I definitely agree. What am about to say is way off- God has been so gracious as to confirm some prophetic words I was led to share with the pastor in the church i attend. I gave such words with trepidation because of old slewfoot’s accusations. Some words got fulfilled a year or two after I gave ’em and some are being fulfilled now. Whew! What you wrote today reminds me of what happened two years ago. it’s a tale I’ll share tomorrow.
February 28, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for that JW.
Let me expound a bit on what God is saying to us thru what Paul wrote in 1 Cor 14:
While we definitely agree that the Holy Spirit can tell us of things to come (John 16:13) the prophesying which Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14:29-31 is more forth-telling than fore-telling : We know this by two things he said:
a) That we are to instantly test the prophecy as to whether it is from God (Vs 29). If it were concerning a future event then it could not be tested on the spot, but only after the time for it to be fulfilled has expired, and it is then tested by whether or not it happens.
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b) (Vs 31) …That all may learn, and all may be comforted... Which relates to forth-telling, which causes us to learn.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesies speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Again, forth-telling.
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Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Testimony from Jesus and concerning Jesus : He is the center and the object of it : it relates to who He is and what He has done and is doing, and what He is speaking to His people.
In this light we see that Paul was speaking about prophetic preaching, by which people instantly learn, and are edified, encouraged and comforted. Predictions alone don’t fit that description and neither are they what is really needful, except in certain circumstances.
Most Christians don’t really need to hear a prediction, they need to hear what Jesus is saying to them NOW.
When you discern that Jesus is speaking something to His people and that it’s something they really need to hear at that moment, then that’s the operation of the gift of prophecy, which Paul is describing here.
Also note that, in the context of the whole chapter, the prophesying IS the message, or the “sermon” for the Church. Paul doesn’t mention a “sermon time” after the prophesying is over. The prophesying was the sermon/message, and there was permitted a maximum of three messages at one meeting.
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Prophecy also lays bare the hearts of men and reveals the secrets of their hearts. It cuts into their hearts.:
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
(1Co 14:24-25)
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Regarding predictions: They should not be tested solely by whether they happen or not. Even events which are accurately predicted may not necessarily have been prophesied by the Holy Spirit. (Satan can do that as well, by predicting something and then causing it to happen)
God speaks only what we need to know. He never gives frivolous information, like predicting the Super Bowl, political elections, and stuff like that. Whatever God speaks it will touch on the lives of His people, it will be concerning things they need to know.
Prophecies which are just useless information are designed only to reinforce the authority of the “prophet”, and God won’t do that. They serve no practical purpose.
February 29, 2012 at 7:19 am
Thanks.
February 29, 2012 at 8:52 am
Most welcome.
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If Paul came back to any church today he may ask them to read 1 Cor 14 etc.. and then ask, Why do you have a problem with this?
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Let’s read it again:
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If anything be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
(1Cor 14:29-31)
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Paul the Apostle may ask the churches today:
What IS your problem with this?
Please spell out why you can’t simply do this.
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See also: https://ianvincent.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/and-it-shall-come-to-pass-in-the-last-days-says-god/
Prophecy is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means – WE Vine
Prophecy is more than natural preaching or teaching. There is a difference between that which is natural and supernatural in its origin.
Prophecy is when the supernatural element affects us and takes us beyond our natural ability.
February 29, 2012 at 11:59 am
Yep. I agree
March 5, 2012 at 3:39 am
The fruits of the Spirit are different, but do not exist in isolation from one another: rather, they are the fruit of One Spirit. Who has faith, but not love: does faith not “worketh” by love?
Similarly, when Paul writes of speaking by revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine (1 Corinthians 14:6), he is simply describing the work of the Spirit to reveal the nature and character of God.
The Holy Spirit is expounding the meaning of the scriptures, shining the light of Truth upon the hearts of man. That’s the main thrust here.
Of course, men cannot know the scriptures unless they are revealed to them by God (1 Corinthians 2:9-14).
Does the Holy Spirit sometime inspire us to say things in ways that will hold special meaning for our hearers, revealing to them that He knows their hearts and understands them at the deepest level? Yes. [Most often, we are not even aware it is happening.]
The ‘personal prophecy’ stuff at work in many of the churches today is usually a counterfeit [demonic work] that tickles the ears of men [and opens up their pocketbooks]: it’s like going to a psychic at a carnival or something.
Here’s the funny thing: the scriptures describe what is happening today, right now, all over the world; and by the illumination of the Holy Spirit [discernment], believers can see this.
Even more importantly, the scriptures are coming alive every day in the life of believers everywhere: for we are partakers of Christ’s blessings and afflictions; we are living the scriptures.
The scriptures themselves are the greatest prophecy we will receive in this world, according to Peter (2 Peter 1:17-21).
Peace