The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today

I. What the Old Testament Says About the Prophets: A. The Prophets are Messengers of God their main function (see Hag 1:13; Jer 28:9 cf Jer 29:9; Ezek 13:6) B. The Prophet's Words are Words of God Their authority extended not only to the general content but also to their very words (Exo 4:12 cf. 24:3; also 1 Kgs 20:13; 21:19 cf. 2 Kgs 9:25 26) C. The Absolute Divine Authority of Prophetic Words 1. To disbelieve or disobey a prophet's words is to disbelieve or disobey God (note Deut 18:19). 2. The words of a true prophet are beyond challenge or question. (1 Sam 3:19; 9:6; 15:3, 23; 1 Kgs 22:28) In the OT, every prophet is judged or evaluated, but not the various parts of every prophecy. People asked, Is this a true prophet or not? Is he speaking God's words or not? They never ask, Which parts of this prophecy are true and which are false? Which parts are good and which are bad? D. Application for Today words of OT prophets have been preserved in the pages of the OT and are absolutely trustworthy. New Testament Counterparts to Old Testament Prophets: APOSTLES A. NT Apostles are Connected with OT Prophets (Heb 1:1 2 with Heb 3:1; 2 Pet 3:2) B. NT Apostles are Messengers of Christ (John 20:21; Matt 28:19; 2Cor 3:6; Gal 1:1) C. The Apostles' Words are Words of God (see 2 Pet 3:2; 2 Cor 13:3; 1 Thess 2:13; 5:27; 2 Thess 2:3- 8; 3:6, 14; 2 Pet 3:15b-16; John 14:26; 16:13-14) D. Why the Name "Apostle" instead of the Name "Prophet"? 1. Joel's prediction of prophecy for all God's people (Joel 2:28 29; Num 11:29). Midrash Rabbah on Num 15:25: In the world to come all Israel will be made prophets. 2. The meaning of the word prophet a. Its meaning in secular Greek usage one who has supernatural knowledge or one who predicts the future or spokesman (without any connotations of divine authority). b. Its meaning in first century Jewish usage sometimes used of a person who simply has knowledge of things beyond sense perception. c. Influence on NT usage of the word prophet (Eg: Titus 1:12; Luke 22:64; John 4:19) 3. A new term for Christ's representatives showed the newness of the new covenant church E. Conclusion: The word prophet as used in the NT does not necessarily imply absolute divine authority. F. Application for Today their writings are found in the NT. No other words spoken today can ever equal the words of Scripture itself in authority, in purity, or in power. New Testament Prophets at Corinth A. The Structure of 1 Cor 12-14 B. 1 Cor 14:29: Prophecies that Need to be Sifted And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment or Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said" (RSV).

II.

III.

Copyright 2002 Cecilia Perh

C.

D.

E.

F. G.

diakrino evaluate 1 Cor 14:30: Prophecies that were Intentionally Neglected But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. apokalupsis 1. Prophecies that could be lost. 2. Does a revelation imply divine authority? 1 Cor 14:36: No Words of God from the Corinthians Prophets Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?; Did the word of God originate with you (RSV, NIV) exerchomai 1 Cor 14:37-38: Prophets with Less Authority than an Apostle If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 1 Cor 11:5: Women Prophets who Neither Govern Nor Teach But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved. Conclusion from 1 Corinthians The prophets at Corinth did not speak with a divine authority of actual words and were not thought by others to speak with an absolute divine authority.

IV.

New Testament Prophets in the Rest of the New Testament A. Acts 11:28: Agabus B. Acts 13:2: Is this really New Testament prophecy? No, they are the direct words of the Holy Spirit which carry divine absolute authority (Acts 8:29; 10:19) C. Acts 19:6: New Believers Prophesying D. Acts 21:4: Prophecies that Paul disobeys E. Acts 21:9: Philip's daughters F. Acts 21:10-11: Agabus - A prophecy with two small mistakes 1. The Jews at Jerusalem would bind Paul. It was the Romans who bound Paul (Acts 21:33; 22:29). 2. The Jews would deliver Paul into the hands of the Gentiles (Acts 21:31 cf 21:32-33, 35). G. 1 Thess 5:19-22: Prophecies that must be sifted H. The Essential Nature of Prophecy 1. A revelation is necessary for a prophecy 2. A report of the revelation is necessary for a prophecy I. Apostolic Preparations for Their Absence J. Subsequent Early Church History K. Application for Today the danger of prophecy being over-valued, or rejected altogether. What Then Is New Testament Prophecy A. 1 Cor 14:30: Prophecy Must be Based on a Revelation from God But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted (1 Cor 14:30-31). 1. The revelation comes spontaneously. 2. The revelation comes to an individual. 3. The revelation is from God. 4. The revelation gives insight from God's perspective. 5. The revelation is recognizable to the prophet a. Objectively, does it conform to the Bible and Biblical teaching? (Cf. 1 Cor 12:3; 1 John 4:2-3; Deut 13:1-5).

V.

Copyright 2002 Cecilia Perh

B. C.

Subjectively, was it similar to previously known experiences of the Holy Spirit? (Cf. John 10:1-5, 27; 1 John 4:5-6). How Much Does the Prophet Know? 1. 1 Cor 13:8-13 - We see in a mirror dimly 2. 1 Cor 13:2 We understand mysteries and knowledge Distinctive of New Testament Prophecy 1. 1 Cor 12:1-3: Christian prophecy is different from pagan prophecy 2. 1 Cor 14:29-33: Orderly, reasonable conduct

b.

V.

The Content of Prophecies A. 1 Cor 14:3: Anything that would Edify, Exhort or Console But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 1. Prophecy was to be used for others an essentially public gift 2. Every function of prophecy is also a function of several other activities (Col 3:16; Eph 4:29). 3. Why is prophecy so important a gift? It is one way God shows His love for His people by speaking to their specific needs. B. 1 Cor 14:31: Might Prophecy include Teaching, since People could Learn from it? C. 1 Cor 13:2: Prophesying with or without Love a Crucial Difference D. 1 Tim 1:18: Prophecies indicating Timothy's gifts and areas of effective ministry E. 1 Tim 4:14: A Spiritual Gift given through Prophecy F. Other Possible Functions 1. Did prophecies give inspired interpretation of OT Scripture? No! 2. Did prophecies include prayer and praise? G. Prophecy as a sign of God's Blessing in a Church (1 Cor 14:20-25) 1. The Meaning of the OT Quotation (Isaiah 28:11-12) 2. Paul's Use of Isaiah 28:11-12 In the Law it is written, BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME, says the Lord (v21)

VII. Can All Believers Prophesy? A. Do all have Permission to Prophesy? Yes, but impractical B. Do all Potentially have the Ability to Prophesy? Yes C. Do all Actually have the Ability to Prophesy? No D. Can People Prophesy whenever They Want to? No E. Should even new Believers be allowed to Prophesy? F. The Gift of Prophecy could Vary in Strength G. Is It Right to Seek to Prophesy? 1. Pray 2. Be content with present gifts 3. Grow toward Christian maturity 4. Have right motives 5. Use the present gifts 6. Do not try to prophesy VI. Women and Prophecy: A. Acts 21:9 Philips Daughters B. 1 Cor 11:5 Women who Prophesy with a Head Covering C. 1 Cor 14:34-35 How should Women be "Silent" in the Churches? 1. Does this passage forbid speech by noisy women? 2. Does this passage forbid women to speak in tongues?

Copyright 2002 Cecilia Perh

3.

Does this passage forbid women to judge prophecies in the church service? v29 & let others weigh what is said v34 In the churches, women should keep silent & not speak out & judge these prophecies v34 they should be subordinate v35 they shouldnt even question the prophet, they can ask questions at home

v29 Let 2 or 3 prophets speak v31 one at a time v31 you can do this v32 you are in control of your spirit v33 for God promotes peace, not confusion

D.

Application for Today

VII. The Duration of Prophecy A. The Interpretation of 1 Cor 13:8-13 B. 1 Cor 13:10: The Cessation of Prophecy when the Perfect comes C. The Relationship between the Gift of Prophecy and Scripture 1. Does the continuation of prophecy challenge the sufficiency of Scripture or the closed canon? 2. The question of guidance 3. Spiritual gifts as characteristic of the New Covenant age VIII. Encouraging and Regulating Prophecy in the Local Church A. Why do we need the Gift of Prophecy Today? B. For Churches that do not Use the Gift of Prophecy but would like to 1. Pray. 2. Teach. 3. Go slowly and be patient. 4. Use the gift of prophecy in ways in which it has already been functioning in the church. 5. Make provision for the use of prophecy in the less formal worship gatherings of the church. C. For Churches that Already Use the Gift of Prophecy 1. Remember that what is spoken in any prophecy today is not the word of God, but is simply a human being reporting in merely human words something that God has brought to mind. 2. Be sure to test prophecies, to evaluate them by Scripture and by what else you know to be true. 3. Be sure you emphasize Scripture as the place where people can always go to hear the voice of the living God.

Copyright 2002 Cecilia Perh