Paul's Instructions to Timothy in how to be a Minister of God's Word

[AandW]

Timothy Chapter 4:
Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."


But from all of these excellent words of advice and wisdom Paul shares to Timothy, this portion struck me the most as being really specific:
[Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.]

Paul is telling Timothy to use his [Spiritual Gift].
Paul explains how Timothy has this Gift, [it was BESTOWED on him through PROPHETIC UTTERANCE and the laying on of hands by the Church Leaders].

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [Prophetic Utterance] + Laying on of hands by the Church Leaders?
Which current Churches Speak in Tongues, Lay hands on people they Pray for, receive Gifts bestowed upon them through PROPHETIC UTTERANCES?


Paul is definitely claiming Gifts come from Prophetic Utterances
One thing is for certain, Paul believes Ministers/Preachers should be full of the Holy Spirit and have a GIFT that's bestowed upon them through Prophetic Utterance and Laying on of Hands.
Whose Pastor, of the Church you attend, that does not meet any of Paul's purposes/conditions for being a Minister/Preacher?

 

[ResidentAlien]

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [Prophetic Utterance] + Laying on of hands by the Church Leaders?

Quick question. Could you clarify this? Are you saying speaking in tongues = prophetic utterance; or, that the prophetic utterance was something that helped Timothy continue speaking in tongues?

 

[Kidron]

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [

"Prophetic utterance" is not the "gift of Tongues"..

There is the Gift of Prophecy, and that is what the verse says......"Prophetic utterance".

And because Timothy is an Evangelist, its more likely that the "gift" was the same.

 

[Aaron56]

Timothy was an apostle. Apostles do the work of an evangelist (sharing the love of God) when they are sent to areas where there are no believers.

 

[p_rehbein]

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [Prophetic Utterance] + Laying on of hands by the Church Leaders?
Which current Churches Speak in Tongues, Lay hands on people they Pray for, receive Gifts bestowed upon them through PROPHETIC UTTERANCES?

NO

The laying on of hands and Sanctified believers praying over a person is HOW the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is received.

Tongues as described in Acts during the birth of the Church IS NOTHING MORE THAN OTHER LANGUAGES than what the person knows is speaking......it IS NOT gobbly gook or any such.

As well, the "unknown tongue" spoken of in Scripture CAN NOT BE TAUGHT BECAUSE IT IS UNKNOWN except to the Holy Spirit..............


goodness..........what lengths some will go to

 

[AandW]

Quick question. Could you clarify this? Are you saying speaking in tongues = prophetic utterance; or, that the prophetic utterance was something that helped Timothy continue speaking in tongues?

Excellent question!

We know what the [UTTERANCE] Gifts are Prophecy, Tongues, and Interpretation of tongues.

I am seeing what idealism's come out from Paul's term [prophetic utterance].

I am intrigued by Paul's specific use of this classification that qualified Timothy's [special Gift] that was bestowed upon him through prophetic utterances.

Is Paul claiming Timothy [did not] have this Gift?
UNTIL, whatever Prophetic Utterance means, the Gift Timothy did not have suddenly he now has

So if prophetic utterance happens in a Godly manner, which we have no idea what Prophetic Utterance actually is, a current day Christian could receive a New Gift of the Holy Spirit they never had before?

Prophetic Utterance seems important enough to want to know more about.

 

[AandW]

"Prophetic utterance" is not the "gift of Tongues"..

There is the Gift of Prophecy, and that is what the verse says......"Prophetic utterance".

And because Timothy is an Evangelist, its more likely that the "gift" was the same.

We know what the [UTTERANCE] Gifts are Prophecy, Tongues, and Interpretation of tongues.

I am seeing what idealism's come out from Paul's term [prophetic utterance].

I am intrigued by Paul's specific use of this classification that qualified Timothy's [special Gift] that was bestowed upon him through prophetic utterances.

Is Paul claiming Timothy [did not] have this Gift?
UNTIL, whatever Prophetic Utterance means, the Gift Timothy did not have suddenly he now has

So if prophetic utterance happens in a Godly manner, which we have no idea what Prophetic Utterance actually is, a current day Christian could receive a New Gift of the Holy Spirit they never had before?

Prophetic Utterance seems important enough to want to know more about.

 

[AandW]

Timothy was an apostle. Apostles do the work of an evangelist (sharing the love of God) when they are sent to areas where there are no believers.

Amen!

 

[AandW]

NO

The laying on of hands and Sanctified believers praying over a person is HOW the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is received.

Tongues as described in Acts during the birth of the Church IS NOTHING MORE THAN OTHER LANGUAGES than what the person knows is speaking......it IS NOT gobbly gook or any such.

As well, the "unknown tongue" spoken of in Scripture CAN NOT BE TAUGHT BECAUSE IT IS UNKNOWN except to the Holy Spirit..............


goodness..........what lengths some will go to

We know what the [UTTERANCE] Gifts are Prophecy, Tongues, and Interpretation of tongues.

I am seeing what idealism's come out from Paul's term [prophetic utterance].

I am intrigued by Paul's specific use of this classification that qualified Timothy's [special Gift] that was bestowed upon him through prophetic utterances.

Is Paul claiming Timothy [did not] have this Gift?
UNTIL, whatever Prophetic Utterance means, the Gift Timothy did not have suddenly he now has

So if prophetic utterance happens in a Godly manner, which we have no idea what Prophetic Utterance actually is, a current day Christian could receive a New Gift of the Holy Spirit they never had before?

Prophetic Utterance seems important enough to want to know more about.

 

[Kidron]

We know what the [UTTERANCE] Gifts are Prophecy, Tongues, and Interpretation of tongues.
.

"utterance", = Preaching, teaching, ..... = "To Evangelize".......= Timothy the "evangelist".

Also, dont confuse your "prayer language" with "the Gift of Tongues", as they are not the same.

 

[ResidentAlien]

First, there's nothing in this passage about tongues, either explicitly or implicitly. All we know is Timothy received a gift when the elders laid hands on him and spoke a word of prophecy over him. In all likelihood it was the gift of evangelism. For example 2 Timothy 4:5 says:

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.​

​

 

[Dino246]

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [Prophetic Utterance] + Laying on of hands by the Church Leaders?

Nothing in the passage suggests that the gift which Timothy received was that of speaking in tongues. Nothing in Scripture conflates "prophetic utterance" with speaking in tongues. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 14 specifically distinguishes them.

Paul is definitely claiming Gifts come from Prophetic Utterances

No, he isn't. The verse says "gift... bestowed THROUGH prophetic utterance", not "gift... bestowed from prophetic utterance". He is speaking about one specific gift in one specific case given to one specific person; there is no hint of the event being normative.

One thing is for certain, Paul believes Ministers/Preachers should be full of the Holy Spirit and have a GIFT that's bestowed upon them through Prophetic Utterance and Laying on of Hands.

The passage does not say that. It is a personal message to Timothy regarding Paul's desire for Timothy. While we can reasonably conclude that God wants His 'ministers' to be filled with the Holy Spirit, there is nothing normative about a gift bestowed through prophetic utterance.

It's a bad idea to make doctrine from narrative passages.

Whose Pastor, of the Church you attend, that does not meet any of Paul's purposes/conditions for being a Minister/Preacher?

To what conditions are you referring, specifically?

 

[Dino246]

"utterance", = Preaching, teaching, ..... = "To Evangelize".......= Timothy the "evangelist".

The word "prophetic" distinguishes the utterance from "regular" preaching and teaching. Anyone with some knowledge and a functional voicebox can preach and teach, but only those gifted with speaking prophecy can deliver prophetic utterances.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Is Paul teaching Timothy how to continue Speaking in Tongues [Prophetic Utterance] + Laying on of hands by the Church Leaders?

You are misunderstanding the words of Paul. There is nothing in this passage about speaking in tongues. "Prophetic utterances" were divinely revealed words spoken in the apostolic churches while the spiritual gift of prophecy was still in effect. That is no longer the case, since Scripture is complete. So a quotation from the Bible would be equivalent to those prophetic utterances. As to the laying on of hands by the presbytery, it would mean that the elders of the church prayed over Timothy. That would still be valid provided the elders were genuine elders being led by the Spirit.

 

[Kidron]

The word "prophetic" distinguishes the utterance from "regular" preaching and teaching. Anyone with some knowledge and a functional voicebox can preach and teach, but only those gifted with speaking prophecy can deliver prophetic utterances.

Well, lets consider something...
The fact that Timothy is "called" to be an "Evangelist', is distinguishing him as having an anointing that is "the call of God" on Him.
That is not for everyone.
That is like the Call to be an Apostle/MIssionary that Paul had, or to be a Teacher, or a Bishop/Pastor.
So, this CALL, is the "gift' that has set Timothy apart.
Its very possible that the "Prophecy", was "you are called to be an EVANGELIST"....
That is very likely the "utterance" and the "prophecy".

If your Bishop/Pastor, has truly been called into the ministry, then that is a heavenly anointing that is on them, and in them, that is a gift.
Timothy had this.

 

[Dino246]

Well, lets consider something...
The fact that Timothy is "called" to be an "Evangelist', is distinguishing him as having an anointing that is "the call of God" on Him.
That is not for everyone.
That is like the Call to be an Apostle/MIssionary that Paul had, or to be a Teacher, or a Bishop/Pastor.
So, this CALL, is the "gift' that has set Timothy apart.
Its very possible that the "Prophecy", was "you are called to be an EVANGELIST"....
That is very likely the "utterance" and the "prophecy".

If your Bishop/Pastor, has truly been called into the ministry, then that is a heavenly anointing that is on them, and in them, that is a gift.
Timothy had this.

Basically, I agree. Some people are clearly gifted as preachers, but not everyone who preaches is so gifted. The same goes for teachers.

You can be called into ministry and not be gifted as a preacher or teacher. Those are only two of many giftings described in the NT.

 

[SophieT]

excuse me A & W, but is your op a copy/paste from some other site?

 

[Kidron]

Basically, I agree. Some people are clearly gifted as preachers, but not everyone who preaches is so gifted. The same goes for teachers.You can be called into ministry and not be gifted as a preacher or teacher. Those are only two of many giftings described in the NT.

If a person has a "call", ....then that is the anointing that comes from God, that is the divine power that causes that office to be effective through the called one..

Its a divine energy, its a heavenly presence.

Its the fact that 10 ministers can read the same paragraph to the same room full of people, and God working through that "called one", causes the 100 to sense something in their spirit about the words........ Yet, its not the words, its God's anointing through that person.

Its the """anointing that breaks the yoke"""< not the speaker.

Paul, who wrote most of the NT , defined himself as being not too impressive to look at,.... but the power of God that is His anointing was amazing in person.
He once told a Male Witch that this Sorcerer would go "blind" for a season, and the Witch suddenly needed someone to help him out of the street.
That is God's power working in a special way through an Apostle. 2nd Corinthians 12:12.

Its always God that is doing the miracles, the calling, the gifting.........yet, its through someone and the "call" God works to a higher degree, is the power of God.
That's the anointing.
These are the "called".

 

[Dino246]

You are misunderstanding the words of Paul. There is nothing in this passage about speaking in tongues. "Prophetic utterances" were divinely revealed words spoken in the apostolic churches while the spiritual gift of prophecy was still in effect. That is no longer the case, since Scripture is complete. So a quotation from the Bible would be equivalent to those prophetic utterances.

You have erroneously conflated "prophecy" with "Scripture".

If your position were correct, there would be several more passages (if not entire books). Tell me:

Where is the Scripture uttered by Agabus BEFORE he prophesied about the famine, as he was already a prophet when he spoke that (Acts 11:27)?

Where is the Scripture uttered by Agabus' companions (ibid)?

Where is the Scripture uttered by Philip's four daughters (Acts 21:9)?

 

[Dino246]

If a person has a "call", ....then that is the anointing that comes from God, that is the divine power that causes that office to be effective through the called one..

Its a divine energy, its a heavenly presence.

Its the fact that 10 ministers can read the same paragraph to the same room full of people, and God working through that "called one", causes the 100 to sense something in their spirit about the words........ Yet, its not the words, its God's anointing through that person.

Its the """anointing that breaks the yoke"""< not the speaker.

Paul, who wrote most of the NT , defined himself as being not too impressive to look at,.... but the power of God that is His anointing was amazing in person.
He once told a Male Witch that this Sorcerer would go "blind" for a season, and the Witch suddenly needed someone to help him out of the street.
That is God's power working in a special way through an Apostle. 2nd Corinthians 12:12.

Its always God that is doing the miracles, the calling, the gifting.........yet, its through someone and the "call" God works to a higher degree, is the power of God.
That's the anointing.
These are the "called".

Again, basically, I agree. However, that doesn't do anything to refute by statement that one cannot truly prophesy except by the Holy Spirit, while on can truly preach or teach without the Holy Spirit, for the message is the truth, and the word of God has power. So, let's not get any further off topic.