"You may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted" (1 Cor. 14:31).

Let us review the character of the open ministry meeting. In this meeting we come together to wait
on God to hear what He has to say to us. It is not a meeting especially for those who are full-time
preachers of the Word to exercise their gift. In any particular meeting it may be God’s will that
none of those speak at all. When we realize the true character of the meeting, we will not be
thinking, "I wonder if Brother So and So will speak today?" Rather, it will be, "Well, I wonder
what God is going to say to us this afternoon (or evening)," and not be concerned about the vessel
through whom He would speak.

"You may all prophesy." J. N. Darby translates this verse, "You can all prophesy." There is a
difference between the words "may" and "can." There is not only liberty_as led by the Holy Spir
it_for all to prophesy, there is also ability provided to each one by the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps it is well to consider what this word "prophesy" means. "He who prophesies speaks unto
men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3). This is the true character of
prophecy. First of all, it will edify or build up the saints of God. It is not the place for showing
our ability to be humorous, though illustrations may well have their place to explain and clarify
the scriptures. Remember that the true and basic emphasis is to build up. Where this word "edify"
is used in the Old Testament, it has the connotation also of repairing. We may need to be repaired
spiritually in many ways. God knows in what respects this may be needed by the saints.

In addition to edification, prophesying is for exhortation (or encouragement, JND translation). We
all need encouragement to a greater or lesser degree at different times.

A third use of prophesying is for comfort or consolation. There are many of God’s people who
are carrying around broken hearts. They may have a smile on their face, but their soul may be
weeping. So there is need for ministry of the comfort of the Holy Scriptures. God knows who
needs this and when it is needed.

The open ministry meeting is not primarily an occasion for God’s people to hear a recital of
various truths, however appropriate that may be in its place. It is not necessarily the place for
teaching at all. We are gathered to hear what God has to say to us. God alone knows what our
needs may be. It may be that we sorely need comfort, to be encouraged, or to be mended,
repaired, or built up.

Who are those that are to speak? First of all, in a gathering of this character, the women are to
keep silent (1 Cor. 14:34). But at the same time the sisters can be of tremendous help.
Unquestioned and untold blessing will come from the earnest, believing prayers of the
sisters_equally with those of the brothers_both before and throughout the meeting. Of course,
I am referring to silent rather than public prayers of the sisters during this meeting.

Who among the brothers are to speak? One does not have to have a so-called public gift for

teaching, preaching, or prophesying. (It may at times be easier for God to deliver His message
through one who is not particularly gifted as a speaker.) One does not necessarily have to come
up to the front of the room, although that may be beneficial in order for all in the room to hear
what is being said. Speaking so that few can hear has the same effect as speaking in tongues_the
others are not edified (1 Cor. 14:17). One does not have to be able to put ten words together. I
believe that in general, the briefer the message is, the more telling and weighty and memorable
the words may be to our hearts. What is called for, then, is not so much a use of our spiritual
gifts, but being on our faces before God so we can receive the message that He would have us to
bring to His people at that particular time.

Sometimes there may be long silences in such meetings. When this happens, those who are gifted
in preaching and teaching may tend to think, "I can speak on Psalm 23 or Romans 3 (or some
other familiar passage) and relieve us of the silence." But "the spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). We must be careful to restrain ourselves from getting up simply
to break the silence. What we need_I repeat myself_is a message from God.

On the other hand, God may give a certain brother a message, and through timidity or fear he
remains glued to his seat. If we fail to communicate what God has given us, there may be loss to
the people of God and loss to ourselves through our unbelief. Still, God recognizes our frailties,
and may graciously do His work through another if I fail.

I mentioned earlier that it did not have to be even ten words. The Apostle Paul writes, "In the
church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach
others also, than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue" (1 Cor. 14:19). If you have but a sentence
or two to give to God’s people that you feel is a message from God, do not hold back. Stand up
and give it, perhaps right where you are if you fear losing it by the time you get to the podium.
What we want, what we need, is ministry from God. The meeting may be a very short one; or it
may be longer; length is not so important as having something from Himself.

Often, the principle, "the shorter the better," holds with regard to a particular message and also
to the entire meeting. This may be born out by the fact that there is to be a limitation on the
number of speakers:"Let the prophets speak two or three" (1 Cor. 14:29). God, in divine
consideration of our human weaknesses, so imposes this limit. There may be those in the audience
who could sit and take in and profit perhaps for hours; but this is not true of most. It is not just
a matter of listening to speakers, but of listening to the voice of God to ourselves and of exposing
our hearts before God. Too many words may very well dilute the message God has for our hearts
and consciences.

Let us illustrate this point from the Old Testament:"And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the
son of Oded; and he went out to meet Asa and said unto him, Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and
Benjamin; the LORD is with you while you are with Him; and if you seek Him, He will be found
of you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you…. Be strong therefore, and let not your hands
be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy
of Oded the prophet, he took courage and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of
Judah and Benjamin" (2 Chron. 15:1-8). What Azariah said to King Asa seems to have been very

brief. But it went right home to the heart of Asa and had a powerful effect on him.

"You may all prophesy." Do not be waiting on this one or that one to speak. It is a privilege and
a responsibility of all to become involved. Every brother should come to such a meeting with the
prayer on his heart, "Lord, help me to be available to be used as a mouthpiece for Thee." If we
have a heart of love for the saints, and get close to the heart of God, He will give us His message
for the gathered saints.

May God bless His Word to our hearts.

(Condensed and modified from a message given in an open ministry meeting at a Bible Conference
in Cedar Falls, Iowa.)