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Originally Posted by Weighingin
But since this is considered the ministry of the age, God's authority comes from he who can interpret the word, etc,"
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This is interesting - "since this is considered the ministry of the age, God's authority comes from he who can interpret the word". Only the ministry of the age has the authority to interpret scripture. But I think of 1 Corinthians 14 as a contrast to this position.
Quote:
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
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The LSM said that anyone exercising a revelation or a tongue or an interpretation outside of the prompting of the "ministry of the age" would bring in confusion. But Paul doesn't show this in 1 Cor 14: rather, everyone can prophesy, everyone can get revelation or tongue or interpretation. (and I don't differentiate between interpreting tongues as Paul presents it, and interpreting scripture, and [for that matter] having 'revelation'. They all require an independent action of the Holy Spirit in the believer). Each one, independently, in sequence, in good order. The Spirit of Christ reigns.
If "each of you" are doing this at the assembly level, as Paul suggests, and someone mis-aims, then the error will eventually be manifest by its fruit, and turned away (ignored, rejected) in the assemblies. There's a protection in the multiplicity of functions, expressions, disseminations. By contrast, if anyone holds themselves over the flock as a (super)apostle, and claim for their personal ministry all revelation, all tongue, all interpretation, then who else can function? And if they err, who can restrain them?
But the NT says, "each of you" has an interpretation - whether the effect of your interpretation travels or disseminates beyond the boundaries of the local assembly is the purview of the Holy Spirit, not an earthly HQ. Anaheim (for instance) doesn't control the Holy Spirit of God, nor are they the only ones obedient to the direct leading of Holy Spirit. The "ministry of the age" concept essentially shuts down the operation of the Holy Spirit, because then "each of you" only get the revelation, tongue or interpretation indirectly, from the ministry. With the ministry of the age, if anyone else functions, they're deemed competition.
Does 1 Cor 14 suggest any of this? I think not - rather its opposite.