There is a common misconception that "Prophecy" only pertains to foretelling future events.
I am not one of those under that misconception. In fact the 1Cor.14 passage you call evangelistic is actually the
forth telling part of prophecy. It is where god's will is revealed and in this case, a light in the darkness as the man's heart is revealed.
I think though you are missing the point. My argument isn't what prophecy is used for or how it was applied in the early Church, the point is the three examples you give, can all be ascertained with the application of scripture only now. The very fact you are quoting scripture to show me how they were used is an indication that there is nothing new under the sun (so to speak).
- Prophecy was used to discern who had been called to specific roles in the church (1Timorhy 4:14)
- Prophecy was used to comfort and edify the church (1 Cor. 14:3)
- Prophecy could be evangelistic, as in 1 Cor 14: 24-25:
These three examples you give are good. We have two letters to Timothy for discerning Church leadership. We have virtually all the NT for edifying the Church and I already touched on the evangelisitc role but it also needs to be said the person who falls on his face still needs to hear the Gospel for it alone is the power of God unto salvation, not the gift of prophecy.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
If you look into the examples above, I think you will agree that all those situations are still relevant to the church and its current calling.
Yes, they are all relevant which, is why we have the completed canon of scripture so we can see how these things came to us and why.
The Lord's word to John (Revelation) took us from the early Church, the seven letters defining God's will for the Church and the mistakes they were making (or not making) through to the end of the age and even a glimpse into the eternal state. What more could you possibly want the Lord to say?
But the gift does make the job 1,000 X cooler, funner, and easier!
If I am scared of anything it is this. If I thought those gifts still operated? Why bother studying the scriptures. It can be hard work to present yourself every day, comparing scripture with scripture, listening to a pastor who has to cater for every level of understanding. Sometimes sermons can be "boring" because you have heard and applied the lesson a thousand times, it's second nature to you but for many it might be the first time they hear the lesson. But you know the Lord is good and there will always be that little gem in there so you learn to discipline yourself (if you don't the Lord will and that is bound to hurt) and you concentrate.
I'm a practical person and I see the dangers in the attitude of expecting others to do your work for you. (that's "you" generally, not personally). It requires discipline and energy to come to the knowledge of the Lord Peter speaks of (below passage) and he is using the word gnosis here which is pure data input, not to be confused with epignosis which is the data input turned into faith through the power of the word by means of the Spirit's working.
2 Peter 3:18
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Too many people want shortcuts to knowing God's will for their lives. If one knows no prophecy can be uttered or word of knowledge given that is not already in the scriptures, then why isn't one learning scripture instead of chasing gifts?
