“... Third, and similarly to number two, Paul and Hermas agree that the believing community alone is prophecy’s proper locus. Here in Mand. 11.9 [43.9], the Shepherd describes a prophet fulfilling the Lord’s wish by speaking in the assembly “by means of the holy Spirit to the multitude.” For Paul in 1 Cor 14, the community is likewise the proper locus of prophecy. [...] Finally, because they understand that true prophecy is fundamentally important to the flourishing of Christian community, Paul and Hermas both recognize that it must be tested in order to distinguish it from its antithesis, false prophecy. [...] At 1 Cor 14:29, the apostle exhorts those who listen to prophets to evaluate (διακρίνειν) what they say. [...] That way is to evaluate a prophet—and by extension to decide whether to heed his prophecy—on his way of life (ἀπὸ τῆς ζωῆς δοκίμαζε τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ἔχοντα τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον, 43.7; cf. 43.16). Here we see the Shepherd employing a synonym (δοκιμάζειν) of the word Paul uses (διακρίνειν) in his call to evaluate prophets. ...”