Do not treat prophecies with contempt, Do not treat prophecies with contemptIn the early church, prophecy was a significant spiritual gift, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and 14:1. Prophecies were messages from God delivered through individuals, often providing guidance, encouragement, or correction. The Thessalonian church, like many early Christian communities, relied on these prophetic messages to understand God's will and direction for their lives. The instruction not to treat prophecies with contempt suggests that there was a tendency among some believers to dismiss or undervalue prophetic messages. This could have been due to false prophets, as warned in Matthew 7:15, or misunderstandings about the nature of prophecy. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of discernment, as seen in the following verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, where he advises testing everything. Historically, the Thessalonian church faced persecution and challenges, as noted in Acts 17:1-9. In such a context, prophetic words could provide much-needed encouragement and direction. However, the presence of false teachings, as warned in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, could lead to skepticism and contempt for genuine prophecies. Theologically, prophecy is seen as a means by which God communicates His will and purposes. In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah conveyed God's messages to His people, often pointing to the coming of the Messiah. In the New Testament, prophecy continues to play a role in revealing God's plans, as seen in the Book of Revelation. In a broader biblical context, the call to respect prophecies aligns with the respect for God's Word and His messengers throughout Scripture. Hebrews 1:1-2 highlights that God spoke through the prophets in the past and now speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, treating prophecies with respect is part of honoring God's communication with His people. In summary, this phrase encourages believers to value and discern prophetic messages, recognizing their potential to edify and guide the church while being cautious of false teachings. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and instruction to the early Christian community. 2. Thessalonica A city in Macedonia where the early church was established. The recipients of Paul's letter were part of this community. 3. The Thessalonian Church The early Christian believers in Thessalonica who were navigating their faith amidst persecution and misunderstanding. 4. Prophets Individuals in the early church who were believed to receive and communicate messages from God. 5. Prophecies Messages or revelations believed to be inspired by God, often concerning future events or divine will. Teaching Points Value of ProphecyRecognize the importance of prophecy as a means through which God communicates with His people. It should be respected and not dismissed lightly. Discernment and Testing While prophecies should not be treated with contempt, they must be tested against Scripture and the character of God to ensure their authenticity. Encouragement and Edification Prophecies are meant to build up the church. Believers should seek to understand and apply prophetic messages that align with biblical truth. Openness to the Spirit Be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in delivering messages through prophecy, while maintaining a grounded understanding of Scripture. Community Accountability Engage with the church community in discerning and interpreting prophecies, ensuring that interpretations align with biblical teachings and the collective wisdom of the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we discern whether a prophecy is genuinely from God, and what steps should we take to test it?2. In what ways can prophecies serve to edify and encourage the church today, and how can we foster an environment that values prophetic messages? 3. How does the role of prophecy in the early church compare to its role in the modern church, and what can we learn from this comparison? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that we do not treat prophecies with contempt in our personal and communal faith practices? 5. How can we balance being open to the Holy Spirit's work in prophecy while maintaining a commitment to sound biblical doctrine? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Corinthians 14Paul discusses the role of prophecy in the church, emphasizing its importance for edification, encouragement, and comfort. 1 John 4:1 Encourages believers to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, highlighting the need for discernment in evaluating prophecies. Acts 2:17-18 Refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the resulting prophetic activity among believers, fulfilling the prophecy of Joel. 2 Peter 1:20-21 Stresses that prophecy does not originate from human will but from God, as men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
People Paul, ThessaloniansPlaces ThessalonicaTopics Contempt, Despise, Esteem, Lightly, Meanly, Prophecies, Prophecy, Prophesies, Prophesying, Prophesyings, Prophetic, Prophets, UtterancesDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Thessalonians 5:20 1427 prophecy 7968 spiritual gifts, nature of 8409 decision-making, and providence Library Sleep Not"Lord, when we leave the world and come to thee, How dull, how slur, are we! How backward! How prepost'rous is the motion Of our ungain devotion! Our thoughts are millstones, and our souls are lead, And our desires are dead: Our vows are fairly promis'd, faintly paid, Or broken, or not made. * * * * * * * Is the road fair, we loiter; clogged with mire, We stick or else retire; A lamb appeals a lion, and we fear Each bush we see's a bear. When our dull souls direct our thoughts to … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 "Pray Without Ceasing" Awake! Awake! Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God Consecration: what is It? Thirty-First Lesson. Pray Without Ceasing;' Early Afflictions Third Sunday after Epiphany The Alarum Peace Getting Ready to Enter Canaan Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God The Christian Prayer Paul a Pattern of Prayer Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect. Matthew 5:48. Concerning Peaceableness Sanctification The Hindrances to Mourning Concerning Worship. Letter cxx. To Hedibia. How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace. Links 1 Thessalonians 5:20 NIV1 Thessalonians 5:20 NLT 1 Thessalonians 5:20 ESV 1 Thessalonians 5:20 NASB 1 Thessalonians 5:20 KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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