What is Prophecy - Part 2

Introduction

In the first part of this study on prophecy we have laid a good foundation for further study. We have considered a definition of prophecy, looked at the difference between the Old and New Testaments and considered the hallmarks of prophecy.

In this second part of the study we will consider how to handle prophecy today, addressing directly the question of is the gift of prophecy for today, as well as how to treat prophecy, and what prophetic people should do.

Before we begin, I wonder if your definition of prophecy, from the first part of this study, has changed at all?

Is the gift of prophecy for today?

In short my answer to this question is yes; God is still speaking to His church today. We should dig into scripture to see why that is my answer.

We have already seen that there is a significant difference between Old and New Testament prophecy, right now we are living in the victory of Jesus and so prophecy is in the light of that. In Paul’s writing we are encouraged to desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

“Follow the way of love and desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”

1 Corinthians 14: 1

This instruction, though written to a particular group of people at a particular time, applies to all believers, all followers of Jesus through all time. This leads us to ask why we should eagerly desire this gift? Paul addresses that question in chapter 12, and here in chapter 14. In chapter 12, as he lists out the roles, the first three are for the building up of the Church, the same point made here in chapter 14.

“But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.”

1 Corinthians 14: 3

The gift of prophecy is one that God gives in order for His Church, His people, to be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted. These are all still required today, we all, as followers of Jesus need to hear the words that will strengthen us, encourage us, and comfort us.

I see nothing in scripture that contradicts that, nothing that tells me we are to live without the gifts of the Spirit.

“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Hebrews 11: 7 - 8

Jesus remains the same. By extension so does God and the Holy Spirit. Gifts we read about in the New Testament are therefore for today too. This is the constancy of God.

Further Joel 2: 28 - 29 speaks of prophecy in “the last days”. That is the days after Jesus’ death and resurrection and before his return. A period we are now in according to Peter in Acts 2: 14 - 40.

It is true, as we have already seen, that prophecy today is different to that of the Old Testament. Paul acknowledges that.

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

1 Corinthians 13: 9 - 10

The perfect has not yet come, Jesus has not yet returned. The word translated here as “imperfect” is the Greek word ‘meros’ meaning part, or partial, signifying something that is incomplete. Paul is saying that right now, until Jesus returns, until perfection comes, we need these gifts as they are helpful to us, revealing a part of what is to come.

“Paul places these abiding certainties over against the things which the Corinthians were priding themselves on. Prophecy? Who will need it in the world to come? Tongues? Why would we need to speak them in a world where everyone understands everyone else at once? Special knowledge? We shall all know everything we can know and need to know. These are things which belong to the country we live in at the moment.”

(Wright, T. Paul for Everyone 1 Corinthians, 2004, p177)

These spiritual gifts we read about are for today; prophecy is to be used today for strengthening, encouraging, and comforting.

Personal Question

• Thank God that His spiritual gifts are available today.

• Thank God that He is constant.

• Ask God to speak to you for your church context.

How to treat prophecy

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 19 - 22

This passage supports our previous definition and the assertion that when God brings something to mind we share it with some inaccuracy. We may add our own interpretation, or we may miss things out. Paul, in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica, is saying that’s ok. We can test what is shared and hold on to the good. What we must not do is put out the work of the Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to “Test everything”?

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

1 John 4: 1

Testing involves seeing if it is from God. A first step in this is seeing if what is shared lines up with scripture. After all the Bible is the recorded word of God and anything that is shared as prophecy must line up with it.

Secondly, we can check to see if what is shared brings strength, encouragement, or comfort. Any prophecy really should draw people to Jesus and these three characteristics are hallmarks of that.

Thirdly, is there love? Is the person sharing doing so with love in their words and displaying a heart for God and those they are sharing with?

Finally, we should look for the fruit of the prophecy. In Galatians 5: 19 - 26 Paul outlines the fruit of the Spirit. If what is shared is from God then the fruit it produces should match up with this description.

“But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

James 4: 17

This speaks of the fruit, but also of the person bringing the prophecy. They are to have a heart that seeks peace, they are to submit to those in leadership, and they are to be impartial. Sharing what God lays on your heart is not a way to speak out your grievances.

Personal Question

• Which of the characteristics in James 4: 17 do you find most challenging?

• Ask the Holy Spirit for help in that.

What should prophetic people do?

Having established what prophecy is, a spiritual gift, given by God for the encouragement and strengthening of His Church, and concluded that it is for today we must look at what prophetic people should do. It is true that God can give such an impression, a picture, a word, or a song to someone as a one-off, but my experience is that God uses those who seek this gift repeatedly. Those who, as Paul puts it, eagerly desire the gift of prophecy.

Paul once again offers us some useful insight.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.”

Romans 12: 7

It is worth reading Romans 12: 4 - 8 as Paul uses the many parts, one body image to explain the benefit of multiple different gifts. Verse 7, with its focus on prophecy provides a few helpful insights as we consider what prophetic people should do.

From the surrounding context, and the passages in 1 Corinthians 12, we see that we are part of a body. Whatever gift God has given is to be used in the context of the body. Anyone who has been blessed with the gift of prophecy is to use it as an active member of the body - that is the local church. This belonging is key; it affords community, protection, and encouragement. It is a place to grow. Using spiritual gifts is a journey, like muscles they grow as they are used, and as we journey into maturity in the gifting. As Paul says in Romans 12: 7 the gift is to be used, not only that but in accordance with the faith of the one prophesying.

“In proportion to his faith”, is an interesting phrase. The word “faith”, ‘pistis’ in the Greek, can mean “the faith” as in the Christian message or gospel. If it were to mean that in this context it would indicate that the one prophesying must make sure that what is shared is in line with the Gospel. While that is a good practice, and I encourage it, I’m not sure that is the meaning here. We also need to look at Romans 12: 3, and consider the whole context of this chapter. Paul is writing to a community of believers in Rome, a very status driven society.

“Rome was a city obsessed with social status. The patricians looked down on the equestrians, the equestrians looked down on the plebeians, the plebeians looked down on the freedmen and the freedmen looked down on the slaves.”

(Moore, P. Straight to the heart of Romans, 2011, p195)

In verse 3 Paul is saying to the believers this way of thinking is broken and that you are to think of yourself “in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12: 3). So when Paul talks about prophesying in proportion to your faith, it is to this measure of faith as a gift from God that he is referring. In practical terms this means when we prophesy we are to speak no more than that which we believe God has impressed upon us. Further, we are to remember that this is a gift from God and not think more of ourselves than we ought. When we begin to think highly of ourselves because of the gift God has given us we step away from the way of love and we become just a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13: 1).

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5: 19 - 22

We have already looked at this passage, and how to treat prophecy. All prophecy should be tested, after all it is delivered by humans who are flawed. As Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 13: 9 we prophesy in part. This means everything shared as prophecy must be tested, it must be checked to make sure it is inline with scripture, brings strength, life, and encouragement, and points people to Jesus. There is more we could say on the topic of testing prophecy but for our purposes here this will suffice.

I think, though it is not detailed like this, that part of the role of those who have the gift of prophecy is weighing, or testing, what is shared by others. This is to be done in community with other prophetic people and with other leaders in the church.

“One of the most damaging stereotypes that God is breaking in our day is that prophetic people fit best outside of team and family. Everything is done better in team, even prophecy. To me this is a fundamental core value for creating healthy prophetic culture.”

(Wilthew, P. Developing Prophetic Culture, 2016, p51)

Being part of a community is what prophetic people should do, this is of prime importance. It is as part of a team that we can offer what we believe God has said to be tested, and we in turn can help to test what others share. We see this in Acts.

In Acts 11 we read of “some prophets” (verse 27) and one of them speaking. This conveys a sense of them working in community. Agabus shares what God has shown him, and the disciples test it and respond. Verse 29 - 30, they must believe that God has spoken through Agabus as they respond with action.

Later in Acts, in chapter 21, we read of Agabus sharing with Paul about what may await him in Jerusalem. Even prior to this those with Paul are pleading with him not to go to Jerusalem. Paul, however, is strengthened by the picture Agabus has seen (verses 12 - 15). Paul has weighed this, seen in it what is from God and what is perhaps Agabus’ interpretation, and knows to follow God.

This leads to another point on what prophetic people should do. They are to submit to the authority and covering of Godly leadership. Operating in such a relationship is very freeing. When we have this space to work in, when we know that what is shared is treated well, and that those leading will respond in love we are freer to share what God may be saying. This practice helps the gift to grow and helps us tune in to what God is speaking.

To address our question for this section, what should prophetic people do, I think the following summarises it.

1. Be part of the local church.

2. Acknowledge that it is a gift from God.

3. Make sure that what is shared lines up with scripture.

4. Speak from a place of love.

Personal Question

• Spend time thanking God that He speaks today.

• Ask God to speak to you.

• Share what you think God may be saying with someone in your local church.