The Gift Of Prophecy

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;"  -Romans 12:6
 
   Since I was born in 1994 there have been have around 40 predictions that the world would end [1].  One of the major "predictions" was from Harold Camping.  He predicted the end of the world multiple times (the irony of that is clear).  The truth is, the Bible gives us guidelines on how we are to handle "prophets" (I use that word vary loosely in this case. With this in mind, it makes me wonder why there is not more discussion of the gift of prophecy.  This gift has seemed to become a topic for the more "scholarly", when it is something that is vary applicable to the ordinary.

Is Prophecy- Foretelling?

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. - 2 Peter 1:19-21

Here Peter is writing to churches more then likely "in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1) at least if his other letter is a clue to us.  Here Peter is writing of Jesus, which the "prophetic word" of the Old Testament point us too.  Peter is recalling the moment it clicked to him who Jesus truly was.  In the verses leading up to v. 19 he is recounting the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17) when a voice spoke saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”.  Peter saw that Jesus was the fulfillment of the words of the prophets.  Peter knew that while they had the voice of God from Heaven confirming Jesus as the Son of God, but we have the words of the prophets.  Peter knew that when the Old Testament prophets spoke, they spoke for God.  "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit".  As the prophets foretold the coming the Messiah they spoke the very words of God.  So, we can see that prophecy, at least in the Old Testament sense, included foretelling and was authoritative in the sense that the prophet spoke for God.

New Testament Prophecy

Within the last 20 years, many conversations, once again among the more "scholarly" have happened regarding the gift of prophecy as it relates to the New Testament.  Part of the conversation comes up with the inclusion of this gift in the both the more "miraculous gifts" included in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and the more still supernatural but none apostolic gifts of Romans 12.  Also, the statement in 1 Cor. 13:8 where it says that the gift of prophecy will remain "the perfect comes" being, more then likely, the second coming of Christ. (more is discussed on this passage in Chapter _____)

Some have taken to the view that New Testament prophecy is "Spirit-Prompted yet No Intrinsic, Divine Authority." [2]  This view of prophecy was originally proposed by respected Systematic Theologian Wayne Grudem.  John Piper, as well as others today hold to this view.  The basic idea is that New Testament prophecy is "God bringing something to mind that you would not otherwise have thought of in the moment for the sake of upbuilding, encouragement, consolation." [3] but that this is also not authoritative.

More could be said about this view, if interested in a complete handling of this view by Grudem himself, you can read many of his works, specifically "The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today" published by Crossway.

I, as much as I respect John Piper and Wayne Grudem as men of God and pastors, must disagree with them on this issue.  One of the key characters in this whole debate is the lesser known prophet Agabus, found in the book of Acts. [4]  He is found two times.  Once in Acts 11 and another time in Acts 21.  Found both times prophesying.  In Acts 11, what do we see?

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). -Acts 11:27-28

We see the words of Agabus being described as "through the Spirit" and we see that they came to pass exactly as he said they would.  This is, as we stated earlier about the Old Testament prophets, authoritative foretelling- speaking on behalf of God.

We see a vary similar account over in Acts 21.  Paul was staying in Ptolemais

While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ -Acts 21:10-11

Agabus, once again, makes a prediction and it comes to pass.  Also, note that it equates his words with those of the Holy Spirit.  Paul, at Jerusalem was arrested by Jews and handed over to Romans (the officials at that time, would have been Roman).  Once again, authoritative speaking for God- in the form of foretelling.

But New Testament prophecy is more then just foretelling.  I believe there is an element, the element that is alive today in the church, of forth-telling.  By forth-telling, I mean, "publicly speaking God's Word with authority" [5]  We can see a little more about this, along with the purpose of prophecy in the church but a look at a few verses in 1 Corinthians 14:

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,  the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. - 1 Corinthians 14:24-25"Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said." - 1 Corinthians 14:29"For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets." - 1 Corinthians 14:31-32

So, these three verses teach us three things about prophecy that should be noted.

1) Prophecy has the power to convict.
2) Prophecy should be weighed by hearers.
3) Prophecy, being at the power of the prophet, is meant to encourage and instruct.

To point one, the verse makes clear that when one prophecies they not only speak of God (so they know that God, and who God is, is among them) but discloses the secrets of there hearts.  The Word of God lays there hearts bear and we have that in the Scripture.

To the second point, 1 John 4 makes this point evidently clear.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. - 1 John 4:1-3

The words of false prophets are paralleled with false teaching.  To "test the spirits" is to weigh what prophets say according to proper doctrine.  That is what Paul means by 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good"

To "quench" here is to put out. [5]  The way we put out the Spirit of God is false teaching, such as denying that Jesus came in the flesh and is from God.  But it is through proper understanding of Gods Word that we can live out the commands of 5:16-18.  Orthodoxy leads to orthpraxy.  

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
Yes and Yes

So, as we have seen, prophecy is both fore-telling and forth-telling.  There is no better way to illustrate this then in the ministry of Jesus.  In his ministry He took on the office of king, of priest and of Prophet.  Deuteronomy 18:15 promises the Old Testament people of God that a Prophet was coming.  Peter in Acts 3 says it this way, "Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. " (Acts 3:22).  Peter was saying that Jesus was this prophet.  He was a Prophet (one who spoke for God) in the fullest sense because He was God Himself.

In Jesus' ministry as prophet, we see both fore-telling and forth-telling.  Matthew 24-25 is a clear example of the first.  He predicts the future.  He predicts His second coming and His "coming on the clouds" (Matthew 24:30).  But, what is often left out is the context of Matthew 24-25, which is Matthew 23, where prophecy is serving the later function.

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." - Matthew 23:13



This is one of the examples of Jesus' prophetic ministry.  Just as Jeremiah and others before Him, Jesus is preaching (fore-telling) the judgement of God upon the people.  He is declaring not so much specific details about the future, but God's truth of judgement.  He walks them through seven woes, and tells this that this is coming upon this generation (Matt. 23:36) which while speaking of the future does not exclude that He is forth-telling judgement and the timing He gives for the judgement is fore-telling.

He even, much like Jeremiah, laments over the city (23:37-39) because of there refusal to repent of there sin.  Jesus was a Prophet in the truest sense.  He was the Word of God who spoke the Word of God, both of the Truth God has already reveled, and details He had not yet reveled.  Just like the other prophets whom they "kill and crucify", they would put there promised Prophet on a cross.


Is the gift of Prophecy for today?
So, after a long, but needed introduction and definition as to what the gift is, we need to arrive at our answer, is the gift for today?  The answer: yes and no!

No in the sense of the revelation of God's word- fore-telling.  We are not the Old Testament prophets, nor are we the apostles and early disciples who are showing there authority as apostles and also speaking forth the Scripture of God.  The gift of fore-telling is not active in the church today, as we saw early in the chapter with the mention of the end times prediction.  God has revealed what we need to know about the future in the Bible.   But, as I said earlier, prophecy is a bit tricky.

The gift of prophecy is available in that sense that it is a part of the list of gifts in Romans 12.  I believe that in this passage Paul is writing of the gift of forth-telling (publicly speaking God's Word).  If we look close at the passage we'll see why I believe that.  Let's look at Romans 12:6,

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;"  -Romans 12:6

So, when one prophecies (Publicly speaks the Word of God) they are to do it in proportion (analogia) to our faith. Now, what does the word "analogia" means? If we take it simply "ana"- means "among", "logia" comes from the word "logo" which means, "Word". So, when we take that into account we are to prophesy "among the Word" of faith. In other words, we are speak the Word of God in proper doctrine. The gift of prophesy- forth-telling the Word of God authoritatively and effectively, is still available to the Church today.

Is the Gift of Prophecy the Same as Teaching?

I think the final question that needs to be addressed is the difference between prophesying and teaching?

Well, I think, while there are similar functions in some ways, they different in scope.

Similarities between prophecy and teaching involve the instruction of the saints, that the Word when taught can weigh on the heart of the hearers and false teaching happens.  All of these are also purposes of prophecy.  But, what we learn from Scripture is the scope of the gifts.

Elders are to be able to teach, but are not told to prophesy. (1 Timothy 3:2)    Also, while Elders are to be men, women can prophesy. (ex. Phillips daughter Acts 21:9).  I think prophesy is on an individual level what preaching and teaching are before the church.  Teaching involved expositional teaching of the Word of shepherding God's people. Prophesy is what is done in personal evangelism, counseling and discipleship. With teaching comes leadership with prophecy comes accountability, while both use the Word of God authoritatively 1 Cor. 14:3- "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,encouraging and comfort"

Conclusion
I'm sure for some this does not satisfy them.  I'm sure there are questions that remain regarding the gift of prophecy, what we do know is that we have the glorious Word of God and it is powerful.  What we know is that we do not and cannot see the future as the prophets did, but that we can publicly speak for God- through the forth telling of His Word.  And let's us do so boldly for the Glory of Jesus.

"...For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." -Revelation 19:10

[1] http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm *I used this site to find examples of end of the world predictions, I do not support much of what is on this site.
[2] John Piper, sermon, "The Authority and Nature of the Gift of Prophecy", March 25, 1990, http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-authority-and-nature-of-the-gift-of-prophecy
[3] John Piper, interview, "What is the Gift of Prophecy in the New Covenant?", Desiring God.org
https://vimeo.com/57007870
[4] Note: there are many texts, especially in Acts that talk about prophecy that could be handled, but, to keep this brief and due to the ambiguity of the passages, I will leave them and handle the main ones.
[5] Calvin Commentary on 1 Thessalonians.  http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom42.vi.vii.iv.html