At first glance, one might expect that New Testament prophets would be like Old Testament prophets. But when we look through the New Testament, we find little similarity. There is no evidence in the New Testament churches of groups of prophets speaking the “very words of God” (as in the Old Testament). There is no evidence that their words had divine authority (as in the Old Testament). There is no evidence that a prophet could not be questioned and could write the very words of scripture (as in the Old Testament).
On the other hand, there is a group of prominent people in the New Testament who do speak with absolute divine authority and who did write the books of the Bible. These are not called “prophets,” but “apostles.” In many ways, New Testament apostles are very similar to Old Testament prophets. It was only the “capital A” Apostles who spoke with absolute authority in the New Testament.
Defining Prophecy in the New Testament
We have the completed Canon of scripture (Old and New Testaments) that is authoritative, inerrant, and infallible in the original manuscripts. No one is writing new scripture today. We have our complete Bible for all time. Old Testament style prophets are no longer needed.
In the Old Testament, the prophets spoke the “very words of God.” But in the New Testament, according to Wayne Grudem and his excellent study The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, defines prophecy today as “speaking merely human words to report something God brings to mind.”[1] This is how we see the gift of prophecy being used in the New Testament, and this is our guide for the use of the gift today.
Prophetic Protocol
Because of improper use of the gift of prophecy at The Road Church a few weeks ago, and the pastors I have consulted with and given guidance to, I wanted to dive into just what Paul teaches us in relation to all spiritual gifts, but specifically the gift of prophecy.
Because of pride, jealousy, and misplaced zeal in the use of prophecy and spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians 1-12), Paul gives us great insight into the problems and misuse of the gifts. Paul gives us the protocol necessary for the use of spiritual gifts and specifically the gift of prophecy:
- Every believer has spiritual gifts. It is good to use spiritual gifts within the church (1 Corinthians 12).
- All use of spiritual gifts should be administered in love, the greatest of all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13).
- All spiritual gifts are for the building up of the local church (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).
- Using gifts, administered in love, means speaking in an orderly and intelligible manner (1 Corinthians 14).
- Specifically in the use of prophecy, the words should be tested by other gifted persons (1 Corinthians 14:29).
- Again, in reference to the gift of prophecy, the sifting of a prophetic utterance would be by persons who have a gifting for distinguishing among spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21).
- The purpose of the gift of prophecy is to edify, encourage, and strengthen the whole church (1 Corinthians 14:3).[2]
Regulating Spiritual Gifts in the Local Church:
- Pray about the use of spiritual gifts by the leadership of the church.[3]
- Teach on spiritual gifts and their use.[4]
- Go slowly and be patient with mistakes. Mistakes will be made.[5]
- Use the gift of prophecy as it has been used in one’s particular church setting. Don’t try and copy other churches, but work within the kingdom culture of that church.[6]
- Remember that the most powerful use of the prophetic gift is the teaching of God’s Word from the pulpit!
Though I am not trying to be exhaustive, may this be helpful to those who believe in the use of spiritual gifts in their local church.
Pastor Steve
References:
[1] Wayne Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, Crossway Books, 1988, page 67.[2] Ibid. pages 67-88.
[3] Ibid. page 253.
[4] Ibid. page 254.
[5] Ibid. page 254.
[6] Ibid. page 254-255.
