The New Testament often mentions that the gift of prophecy
has been given to the Church (Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:27-29; 13:1-3, 8;
14:6; Ephesians 4:11). However, there are many indications that the NT prophets
were different. The OT prophets often spoke in terms of, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Therefore, whatever they spoke was God’s infallible Words. Consequently, they
were always expected to be correct, as the Lord had warned Israel:
·
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in
my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of
other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How
may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in
the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a
word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.
You need not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:20–22 (ESV)
Whatever the prophet had prophesied had to come to pass 100%
percent of the time. Just one error would prove that he hadn’t spoken God’s
Word. Falsely speaking God’s Word was so serious that the death of the prophet
was required. However, we do not see this applying to NT prophets. Instead, the
Scriptures seem to inform us that they had a different calling from the
prophets of the OT:
·
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God
spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has
spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom
also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1–2)
It also seems that the role of the NT prophet was different:
·
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual
gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks
not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in
the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for
their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. (1 Corinthians 14:1–3)
While the OT prophets highlighted the failures of the
Israelites to be faithful to the Covenant of God, the NT prophets would speak
for the churches’ “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.”
It is noteworthy that even though the office the Apostle had
been designated as the first office (Ephesians 4:11), nowhere are Christians
instructed to “earnestly desire” to be Apostles. Seemingly, there this office would
not be available to any others after Paul. This door had been closed in the
First century. Likewise, it seems that the office of the OT prophet had also
been fulfilled. The prophetic calling of the NT would be a different calling. Consequently,
there is no indication that NT prophets would be held to the same high standard
of infallibility, and they would not be put to death when they fell short.
Instead, it seems that the NT prophets’ words required the
approval of the Body of Christ before it could be accepted:
·
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others
weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let
the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn
and all be encouraged. (1 Corinthians 14:29–31)
The Word that came from the proven OT prophets did not require
Israel’s approval. Instead, it was to judge Israel. In contrast, the prophets
of the NT spoke words for teaching and encouragement. Even when they prophesied
about future event, the Church was required to test it (1 John 4:1)!
·
Do not despise prophecies, but test
everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21; 1 Corinthians
14:29)
This would have also applied to Agabus who had correctly
prophesied, by the Spirit, the coming famine:
·
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 11:28)
How did they know that Agabus had prophesied “by the Spirit?”
At Antioch, there were also other prophets (Acts 13:1). Presumably, they would
have agreed with the prophecy of Agabus as they later done regarding the
choosing of Paul and Barnabas:
·
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,
the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which
I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on
them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3)
Do we have this degree of spiritual discernment in the Church today??? Agabus had also prophesied Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10). How was the Church able to discern the truth of this prophecy? Perhaps because others had also been prophesying the same thing (Acts 20:23).
While many things remain unclear, it is clear that the
Church must not be gullible but insist on evidence. Even Jesus taught that He
should not be believed without supporting evidences (John 10:37-38):
·
If I alone bear witness about myself, my
testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know
that the testimony that he bears about me is true. (John 5:31–32)
Jesus proceeded to cite the supporting evidence – The testimony
of the Father, John the Baptist, Scripture, and His miracles. We must insist on
no less!
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