Discussion 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

[lismore]

Hello! This is a great bible verse and one that is very useful for us in the Last Days, to avoid all sorts of errors and extremes. There's a lot in it we can perhaps discuss?

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”

"Do not treat prophecies with contempt"- the cessationist position that would reject prophecies out of hand is by default mistaken

"Test them all"- whenever someone shares a prophecy it must be tested. Not testing a prophecy is dangerous. How should it be tested?

"hold on to what is good"- A good prophecy, don't forget about it, keep it in your heart. Remind the church.

"reject every kind of evil"- speaking of prophecy, how do we reject evil prophecy in the church? Notice it does not say 'mistaken' prophecy, it says evil.

God Bless

 

[hislegacy]

Great questions: What do you think would constitute an evil prophesy?

 

[lismore]

Great questions: What do you think would constitute an evil prophesy?

hello! Thanks for your reply. A starting point could be Deuteronomy 13- the false prophet urges people to follow other gods, or Deuteronomy 18- what he says does not come to pass. Talking of false gods, in our day it could be people who prophesy that the god of Islam is the same as the God of the Bible, or attempts to bring in false gospels or ideas from other religions into the church. As for the other, perhaps it involves deception, deliberate deception. It is becoming more fashionable now in the church to speak of same sex marriage as having God's blessing, or that God can bless a marriage between a Christian and a pagan. That blessing will not come to pass. Quite often the foundation that the prophecy is given on is off, the underpinning doctrines are false and directly contradict the scriptures. God Bless

 

[Guojing]

Hello! This is a great bible verse and one that is very useful for us in the Last Days, to avoid all sorts of errors and extremes. There's a lot in it we can perhaps discuss?

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”

"Do not treat prophecies with contempt"- the cessationist position that would reject prophecies out of hand is by default mistaken

"Test them all"- whenever someone shares a prophecy it must be tested. Not testing a prophecy is dangerous. How should it be tested?

"hold on to what is good"- A good prophecy, don't forget about it, keep it in your heart. Remind the church.

"reject every kind of evil"- speaking of prophecy, how do we reject evil prophecy in the church? Notice it does not say 'mistaken' prophecy, it says evil.

God Bless

I always loved 1 Thess 5, I follow what Paul taught us in 1 Thess 5:16-18 daily.

I guess how you will interpret that particular verse, in context, will depend on how you will understand what Paul said at the opening verse of 1 Thess 5 "the day of the Lord".

What does that term means to you?

 

[hislegacy]

Here is my take on the verses:

1 Thess 5:12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.25 Brethren, pray for us.26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.​

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27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.​

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28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.​

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vs 20&21 are two parts of a list of 'admonishments' - IOW reminders. Because of that I don't take it as a teaching.

The Amplified say it this way:

19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test [d]all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.​

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The Message Paraphrases it:

19-22 Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.​

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Sounds like good advice and to me - it uncomplicate things.

 

[ARBITER01]

"Test them all"- whenever someone shares a prophecy it must be tested. Not testing a prophecy is dangerous. How should it be tested?

The testing of prophesying is done in front of the congregation. This is where prophesying is always done, in front of the church, so we can discern it. The criteria is "edification, exhortation (encouragement), and comfort."

- The message will have edification happening within you throughout the message.
- The message itself will be encouraging, not demeaning or critical.
- And the comfort of The Holy Spirit will be present throughout it, and slightly afterwards.