1 CORINTHIANS 14 (THIRD READING)
1 CORINTHIANS 14 (THIRD READING)
CAC It is evident from this chapter that the saints are supposed to be capable of judging what is to edification. All are under responsibility in regard to the matter. There is no liberty granted to what is not edifying. He says as to prophecy, “Let the others judge”. That is, we are to exercise our judgment on everything that is done in the assembly. Each brother that takes part does so intelligently, that is, with his mind; he does so in the [p. 101] exercise of his understanding. If a man spoke a thousand words not in the power of the Spirit it would not edify and would be of no use.
Ques What would be the basis of their judgment?
CAC The basis of their judgment is their own spiritual understanding. Every spiritually minded person in the assembly will be conscious whether what is said is edifying and encouraging, making much of divine Persons and of the truth, and if there is instruction in it and profit. Everything is controlled by the mind in the assembly.
Rem That is, subject to the Spirit, I suppose.
CAC The Holy Spirit personally does not enter into this scripture; but here the intelligence which is formed by the Spirit is in the saints, their minds renewed as they walk in the Spirit. In chapter 10 Paul says, “I speak as to intelligent persons”. The assembly is normally composed of intelligent persons. Those who take part do so intelligently and intelligibly. The importance and value of prophecy is stressed right through this chapter. The apostle is anxious that they, and we, should attach great value to what is edifying.
Those who speak with tongues today can generally give no account of it whatever. I have sometimes asked such to give me a sample of the ministry received; I have never yet obtained an answer.
Rem At Pentecost there was the speaking with tongues.
CAC Yes, there were a number from various nations present, and they said they heard every man in his own tongue the great things of God. It was most intelligible.
The apostle gives the utmost liberty for prophesying: “Ye can all prophesy”. If a man has a word from God there is liberty for him to give it. He exercises his own mind on it and the saints exercise their minds on it. If [p. 102] they judged a word was not of God I suppose they would tell him of it.
Rem This chapter seems to stress the orderliness of the assembly. All is governed in intelligence by the mind.
CAC Paul says, “In your minds be grown men”. There is to be maturity and sobriety. Indeed the presence of God is to be realised according to verse 25 and also verse 33. Things are to be done comelily and in order, and saints have proved for a number of years that it is possible to have perfect order without any human arrangement whatever.
Ques Was the conviction of the unconverted man caused by the prophecy raising a question that touched something in his own heart? It says, “The secrets of his heart are manifested”.
CAC Yes, there is great conscience searching power in the word of God.
Ques What does a simple person mean?
CAC Well, I suppose it would be an uninstructed believer. There are those who have a certain trust in the Saviour, but they do not know their right hand from their left, as we say; but then they get help when they come into the assembly. From this we understand that these meetings are open for all. It is possible for simple persons and unbelievers to come in. There is nothing to hinder their coming; we like to see them.
The apostle does not suggest to us that the assembly will come together in this way and nothing be ministered. If this is the divine order it is a question of faith. We can count upon God and upon the Lord to be faithful to supply what is needed. It supposes that we do not come to such a meeting empty. Usually the test is what is edifying on a particular occasion. It does not follow that every prophet is to speak on the same line. The question is whether it is suitable for the occasion, or will it keep [p. 103] for a month or a year. Spiritual things do not deteriorate by being kept but acquire increase and quality. Sometimes I feel the most edifying thing I can do is to keep quiet.
The spirits of prophets should be under control. I have no respect for a man who says what he did not intend to say, for it is not God’s way. Balaam was made to say what he did not intend to say! The prophet speaks with understanding; he feels there is a need for what he is saying, otherwise he should not say it. And the saints answer to it. We all know how good it is if a suitable hymn is given out; well that is like having a psalm.
Ques What would you say about revelation?
CAC We have not revelation today; then they did not have all the Scriptures. The mind of God was communicated by inspiration. That was not exactly in the responsibility of men. We do not look for revelation; it is completed: the ministry of the mystery completed the word of God. When people set up to have revelations we do not credit what they say. But I think the principle here applies. A brother may feel another has a more prophetic word than he has and may sit down. I remember once a brother sat down; another got up directly and a man was converted on the spot: that was putting it into practice. We ought all to be prepared to give way to something better.
Ques Why is the number of prophets limited to three?
CAC I think it is that the Lord knows some brothers have an unlimited capacity for communicating the truth, but the saints have a limited capacity to receive! Mr. Raven said he did not think the saints were able to take in more than three thoughts on any one occasion. That is, a brother gets up with the presentation of one thought and he develops it and a second does the same and a third the same, and then the saints have [p. 104] had enough.
Rem Subjection is very important.
CAC So that everything is under control. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace”. Anything discordant cannot be of God. The instruction as to the women being silent is important as being of the divine order.
The saints were to recognise that the word of God had not proceeded from them. It had come to them and they were to be in subjection to it. It had not come to them only; it had come to all the assemblies, and they were all to come together in subjection to it. So everything is tested by the Lord’s commandment, and if a man thought himself to be a prophet or spiritual he was tested by his subjection to it. There will always be blessing and edification where there is subjection to the authority of the Lord. He undertakes to bring about what is for His own glory and the glory of God.
If a man is ignorant, let him be simple and take that place. You generally find that those who are ignorant and want to learn get on all right.
Of course, we all know that this is an order that is entirely set aside in christendom generally, but that is no reason why we should set it aside.