What is the gift of prophecy which Paul had in mind in 1 Corinthians 12-14? Is it a revelation for the way of salvation? Or is it a kind of inspired sermon? Or is it a prediction which is to happen in the future? Or is it an encouragement or reprove from the showing of the Spirit? These questions can be reduced into one: what is the essence of the gift of prophecy? This study revisits the above question. It will be shown that it is neither an inspired sermon nor a revelation for the salvation of the world. It will be argued that it is an encouragement or reprove given through the showing of the Spirit. Paul did not argue that the words of the prophecy had the absolute authority to the degree of those in the Old Testament. How did this kind of prophecy of non-absolute authority happen? This study will suggest that differently from the Sitz im Leben in the Old Testament prophecy, that of the gift of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is gathering of the community for building up the local church. |