1 Corinthians 14:29—Who are the "others?"
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What are they "evaluating?" Are they testing the spirits per 1 John 4:1-3? "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God."
And Revelation 19:10: "And I fell before his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "
In other words, the spirit of prophecy, and the reason for it, are to testify about the gospel.
Backing up a little to 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 we see: "If then the whole church comes together at the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an unlearned person comes in, he is reproved by all, he is discerned by all. And so the secrets of his heart become clear; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, reporting that God is truly among you!"
This sounds very much like he's talking about forthtelling about the gospel. "But if all prophecy. . ." He seems to be saying theoretically the whole congregation could "prophecy"; that is, share a revelation about the gospel and rebuke the newcomer for his sin. The result being conviction of the Holy Spirit, and the person falling down and worshipping God.
However, Paul goes on to say only two or three should prophecy and the others evaluate; I take this to mean all the others in the meeting. Since theoretically they could all prophecy, but only two or three should actually do it, the rest of the people in the congregation should evaluate it.
At least that's how I'm coming to understand it.
And Revelation 19:10: "And I fell before his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "
In other words, the spirit of prophecy, and the reason for it, are to testify about the gospel.
Backing up a little to 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 we see: "If then the whole church comes together at the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an unlearned person comes in, he is reproved by all, he is discerned by all. And so the secrets of his heart become clear; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, reporting that God is truly among you!"
This sounds very much like he's talking about forthtelling about the gospel. "But if all prophecy. . ." He seems to be saying theoretically the whole congregation could "prophecy"; that is, share a revelation about the gospel and rebuke the newcomer for his sin. The result being conviction of the Holy Spirit, and the person falling down and worshipping God.
However, Paul goes on to say only two or three should prophecy and the others evaluate; I take this to mean all the others in the meeting. Since theoretically they could all prophecy, but only two or three should actually do it, the rest of the people in the congregation should evaluate it.
At least that's how I'm coming to understand it.