Prophets and Prophecy

Acts 11:27-28

“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.” (Acts 11:27

There is considerable debate about the role of prophecy in the modern church. Some believe there is no prophecy today, based on I Corinthians 13:8-10. “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

A second group insist that it is one of the gifts of the spirit and thus will always be present if the Holy Spirit is. Some even go so far as to state that if there are no prophets, then there are no pastors or teachers either, using Ephesians 4:11, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” as their basis.

Examining more of the passage, in Ephesians 4:11-13, we learn that the purpose of all the offices was to bring the church to a point of maturity. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

I Corinthians 13:8-10 makes it clear that prophecy would end when it was no longer needed, as would other gifts. There is no conflict with the idea that prophets were given to bring the church to maturity. In examining the selection of Matthias in the post, Yielding To Urgency, we found that there is no modern day office of apostle.

There is a great deal of difference between Spiritual fruit and Spiritual gifts. Spiritual fruit is produced in every Christian’s life as the Holy Spirit is allowed to produce it. Galatians 5:22-23 defines Spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Ga 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

I Corinthians 12:8-11 lists Spiritual gifts. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” It is very clear that not everyone receives all the spiritual gifts, but the Holy Spirit provides them as he sees fit. That one lacks the gift of prophecy or speaking in tongues does not indicate a lack of the Holy Spirit, but a lack of the fruit of the Spirit does.

One cause of the conflict is a misunderstanding of what prophecy is. Many people think prophecy is telling the future. In fact, biblical prophecy is telling people what God said. It might or might not include future events. In Revelation 19:10, we find, “… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Teaching and preaching Jesus Christ accomplishes the purpose of prophecy. The pastors and teachers have taken on the mantle of the prophets, and the office of prophet in no longer necessary. When Timothy began pastoring an established church, Paul directed him to do the work of an evangelist. Once the church was established there was no further need for a separate office of Evangelist, as the pastor would be responsible. During the book of Acts, that time had not yet arrived, and prophets were still needed.

“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.” (Acts 11:27-28)

The prophets of the Old testament usually prophesied about particular situations and the prophecy here is no exception, relating to a famine affecting the entire known world. It occurred during Claudius’ reign as Caesar sometime between 41 AD. and 54AD.

The prophet Agabus is mentioned again in Acts 21:10, when he warned of the consequences of Paul’s going to Jerusalem.

While the office of prophet has ended as no longer necessary, God can still give special prophetic messages relating to specific situations, and I believe some times does when needed, just as he may enable speaking in tongues to communicate with someone who does not speak our language. It is not for our own benefit but for the whole church as I Corinthians 12:7 states. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”