Wisely evaluating prophecy

In recent week I have received several emails expressing concern or asking questions as to the proper use of gift of prophecy in church life so I will attempt some manner of reply to those questions.

I am aware that some churches espouse the idea that the perfect has come (1 Corinthians 13:10) and interpret the ‘perfect’ as being the New Testament canon of scripture. In their view this means that the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in several lists in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & Romans 12:6-8 for example) are now done away with. This theory is usually known as the doctrine of cessationism in that it teaches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased after the time of the original twelve apostles and the arrival of the writings that make up our New Testament. If we consider this option it does appear to be misguided on two counts at least, the first of which is the fact that the ‘perfect’ of which Paul is speaking cannot be made to mean the canon of scripture, the whole context of the scripture in which ‘the perfect’ is mentioned (I Corinthians 13:10) refers to the future time when history as we know it shall have ended and new will have fully come. Secondly, the reappearance of genuine gifts of the Spirit throughout church history, often quite spontaneously and without prior experience and knowledge of them, indicates that God has given them to be a legitimate part of church life throughout her history here upon earth.

I am also conscious that what is usually called the ‘charismatic’ wing of the church claims to possess and use these gifts although sadly in many such churches there is little evidence of their use. Probably, this year I have attended and participated in the meetings of at least thirty or forty different charismatic churches and have not heard the gift of tongues with interpretation nor the gift of prophecy used in any of them.

On top of that, often no window of opportunity is given when the proper exercise of these gifts could take place; the meeting format precludes their use. There is no doubt that the churches can survive without them, but, if Paul is correct in his teaching and the gifts of the Spirit constitute a ‘body’ of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-30) surely they all have their place and function just as the various organs and members of the human body have their place and function. We can live without a limb or two, or with one kidney absent and even with one lung, but to be thoroughly healthy and functional we really want every part working well. Paul tells us that the nine gifts he mentions early on in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 are the result of the operation and energies of the Spirit, the Lord (Jesus) and God (the Father).

[pullquote] [if] the gifts of the Spirit constitute a ‘body’ of gifts, surely they all have their place and function just as the various organs and members of the human body have their place and function[/pullquote]

This revelation is a wonderful fact and should inspire us to cooperate with the Trinity in their chosen modes of self-expression through the body of Christ and the gifts that each member possesses (Romans 12:6 & 1 Corinthians 12:7). This brief statement encapsulates what the gifts and ministries of the Spirit are, they are concrete ways in which God in Christ expresses Himself by the Spirit. They are modes of God’s self-disclosure and are intended to be those varied and wonderful ways through which the Trinitarian God makes known His grace. They are the limbs by which the love of God is communicated and the aural gifts (tongues and interpretation and prophecy) are the spontaneous utterances of Holy Spirit declaring the testimony of Christ. Sometimes I have come across a quite helpful phrase that states, “the remedy for abuse is not disuse but proper use” and we must determinedly apply that maxim to the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit. Is it true that the churches are falling short in this regard? Some are abusing what gifts they have, setting one way above the others, just like the Corinthian church was doing with the gift of tongues. Other churches have rigidly closed the door to most of these gifts, sometimes because they have observed abuse, and on occasions, because of fear.

[supertagline]The bread is fine and necessary for a sandwich but it is the ingredients within which usually attract our taste buds![/supertagline]

At first sight it could appear that the spontaneity attaching to the use of many of the gifts of the Spirit could result in the meeting getting out of control, however, we have often seen a beautiful order working where proper use is encouraged. The sense of the Holy Spirit overseeing and inspiring all has been tangible and faith building. Is it also true that some churches that did enjoy proper use in earlier days have neglected their rich heritage in these holy bestowals? If this is true of us we ought to bemoan these lacks and “seek earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31) and “earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you might prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). Take note that that sandwiched between those two verses is the incredible description of love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). The bread is fine and necessary for a sandwich but it is the ingredients within which usually attract our taste buds! We again emphasize that the gifts and ministries of God’s Spirit (the bread of the sandwich!) are the vital and varied ways necessary to the expression of the love and grace of God (the richness of what is in the sandwich!) in His church.

Now let us concentrate on the New Testament gift of prophecy for a little. It has quite a prominent place in Paul’s thinking about church meetings taking up almost a whole chapter when he is writing to regulate the malpractices of the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 14:1-25). We should be aware of the way he approaches things as regards church life. If we summarized the section we could say that first, he encourages and regulates proper order among the members of the church, male and female in particular (1 Corinthians 11:1-16) but his underlying thought extends to all relationships I am sure.

Secondly, as he continues his theme of proper order and respect between the members he centralizes everything in the matter of the communion (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). It is as though he is saying to the Corinthian church (and to us) that proper use of gifts and ministries can only take place if we are dwelling together in proper order and in living communion with the Lord Jesus and each other. We should go so far as to say that it is better not to move in any gift unless these are the states of the heart. If there is disorderliness, arrogance and absence of living communion with the Lord Jesus within the heart then our use of the gifts is sure to be defiled thereby. When we add to these two emphases that of chapter thirteen we are constrained to live in the bosom of God that we might become manifestations of that holy order, communion and love so that we will serve Him and others aright in whatever gift and ministry He chooses to appoint us. Much abuse would be avoided if these matters were understood more in the churches.

Another cause of abuse is to be found in the constant baptizing of practices found in the Old Testament and bringing them into the New Testament church. Unfortunately they become normative and we need to embrace the fact that much present in the Old has been replaced by something far better. Jesus came to bring in that which is a better covenant! For example, the fact that Jesus had not yet come and the glory of Who He is and what He has done was not known allowed for the development of an Old Testament phenomenon known as ‘schools of the prophets.’ Now, we do not need such a phenomenon because Jesus the Prophet Himself has come and He takes up residence in the hearts of His own.

We remember the story of Saul groping around for the lost donkeys and how his servant encouraged him to go and find the seer (another name for prophet) who would know where they were (1 Samuel 9:1-10). Jesus THE prophet has come and by the Spirit He speaks in inner man of each of His sheep. The first responsibility of each sheep is to hear His witness in their hearts, not to run to others to ‘get a word’ from God about His will for their life. They hear His voice and He calls them forth, leads them out and takes them on (John 10:3). John the apostle puts this slightly differently and speaks of the inward anointing to which we are to be attentive (1 John 2:27). This does not discount that there will be occasions when prophecies may be given that are personal in nature through one member, to another, but such must be examined with care and several criteria applied. Such utterances must agree with the general revelation of the scripture and corroborate what THE Shepherd is saying in the heart of the person to whom it is directed. Directive personal prophecy given from one to another is almost unknown in the New Testament and this is due to the fact that Jesus THE prophet has come and speaks in each heart if they will hear Him! The book of Acts yields up some illustration and instruction about personal prophecy and even directive prophecy given to a church (Acts 11:27-30). We should note that the prophecy of Agabus was given in the midst of the church and others familiar with the gift were also present. Doubtless it was thoughtfully judged and a general witness among all confirmed that this word was from God. Another intriguing story concerns the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:4-14).

These verses are full of interest. In the first case it seems that the gift of prophecy was ‘used’ to bring some pressure to bear upon Paul as to his intentions but he took no notice. It seems that his sense of the will of God in the matter superseded the words that came through those who were “through the Spirit telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). The phrase “through the S(s)irit’ implies that the prophetic gift was being utilized as tool by well meaning people in order to steer Paul in a certain direction. Later there is the informative prophetic utterance of Agabus and there is no attempt to direct Paul through that word and demonstration (Acts 21:11). His friends pleaded with him not to go on but it seems that there was a strong constraint within his own heart from THE Shepherd Jesus that he must go forward.

From all this and a general reading of the New Testament we can see that personal directive prophecy is almost absent because replaced by something better! Paul brings together some wonderful words when speaking of tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy. Up building, consolation, encouragement, revelation, knowledge or prophecy or teaching are among these words (1 Corinthians 14:1-6). What an array of possibilities are included here. Utterances that accomplish these things! Surely we want such? But before we go any further we ought to affirm that prophecy is first and foremost an action of ‘sounding forth,’ it is FORTH-telling rather than FORE-telling although both in the Old and New Testaments there was, at times, a ‘fore-telling’ element in what was uttered.

However, during Old Testament times there were only a few who prophesied, but in the New? It seems that all God’s people shall have been graced that, if they so choose, they can be forth-tellers of His wonderful grace (Acts 2:17-18). Somehow then, this gift should be a rich vein through which God speaks His heart to His people and through them. It should, if properly used, be like a spark of revelation to the tinder of ready hearts, it should inform, sometimes rebuke, warn, encourage, bring comfort and be a vehicle of instruction also. At times the teaching ministry can be infused with a particular prophetic note too, the prepared message quickened by the spontaneous leading of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the one speaking. If Jesus is THE prophet and speaking thereby in the midst of His churches, what is at the heart of what He is saying?

There must be a central note recognizable in all genuine prophetic utterance lest something of the nature of a kind of Christianized fortune telling and sentimental (and maybe harsh) messages masquerade in the place of the true. Can we recognize His voice? What is always present when He is speaking? What is the dominant sense of things we are left with when a prophetic utterance or a series of them (1 Corinthians 14:29-31) has drawn to its end?

The book of the Revelation provides us with an answer and it is an incredibly important one, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). How do we interpret that statement? Firstly, we can say that in all true prophecy there is a ‘spirit’, a ‘substance’ present and this content, this overarching reality is always present where the true prophetic gift is sounding. Jesus is giving His testimony! He is bearing witness, there is great weight here, it is not some vague cloudy notion or sentimental message; the prophetic utterance that comes from God possesses an eternal note, a note of holiness, grandeur and greatness, more of command than invitation.

It is the Lord, in tender tones and firm, addressing His people. But, what is at the heart of this ‘testimony of Jesus,’ what is His testimony? The Book of Revelation should provide us with a clear answer and I am sure that it does for He gives His testimony to His servant John collapsed at His feet as He lays His hand upon Him. “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17). What a testimony and there must be no doubt in our minds that when we hear preaching, teaching and spontaneous short prophetical utterances in the church we should discern and hear that note of the triumphant Christ with the keys of all things sounding forth! But, if we follow along with this thought of the testimony (witness) of Jesus there will be the substantial spiritual sense that He is bearing witness about the Light of God (John 1:6), a note from eternity (John 8:14) and the superficiality, sinfulness and passing nature of the world too is summarily and clearly distinguished and spoken about (John 7:7).

Jesus is testifying as to the true nature of God, He is Light! The testimony of Jesus contains a profound sense of where He came from and where all is leading and His holy view of the system and ways of this world and its true nature is exposed, He bears witness against it! These notes should strike a clear chord in what is sounding out in His churches. Before we close this musing there are some who might ask why it is that we need such spontaneous prophetic utterances, isn’t prepared preaching and teaching sufficient? Part of the answer must lie in the fact that the gift of prophecy provides a way in which both the prepared and systematic teaching and preaching can be supplemented by the spontaneous by which the Lord can speak specifically to His people concerning their present condition and possibly to one or two present who need His specific word to their hearts. On occasions the prophetic will be a conduit to further teaching and preaching, acting as a spring of fresh spiritual understanding as to the truth of God revealed in the scriptures. It must also be remembered that those who prophesy will always do so in proportion to their faith (Romans 12:6).

All may prophecy, but not all utterances will have the same depth. Those who have walked on with the Lord will have accumulated a breadth of understanding and experience of God and His ways upon which the Holy Spirit can draw and prompt to the consciousness for specific utterance at an appropriate moment in the church meeting. It is essential we realize that in New Testament church life spiritual quickening comes from Him Who dwells within and is the result of communion with Christ. For instance, a prophetic utterance usually begins with a sense of a phrase or a word or a thought rising to the mind in a distinct way, brought there by and in the flow of the fellowship of the Spirit being enjoyed by the person who will speak.

Without compulsion and in full control and by the enabling of the same Spirit who initiated the thought or word these things begin to be spoken out and as they flow the one prophesying is conscious of the same Spirit selecting material for utterance from that reservoir that is already within their heart and perhaps, on occasions, granting fresh thoughts for utterance that had not been considered before. The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet at all times and the proper use of the gift will mean that when that initiating work of the Spirit ceases the message is ended. The major prompting rises from the inner place of heart communion with the Lord.

Psychic counterfeits operate on another basis; that of a kind of induced passivity where a person endeavors to ‘tune in’ to knowledge that may be available on the spiritual ‘air waves.’ It is as though the antennae of the soul are extended and words, or knowledge come in. These come from ‘outside’ and not from the inward place of being in Christ and Christ being within, they are not the result of a soul living in communion with Him. Obviously, the psychic, that activity of the soul apart from inner communion with God, if practiced, will prove to be dangerous. Because it is an extending of the soul to ‘pick up’ information and ‘words,’ ‘knowledge about persons and the like it will lead to the operation of other spirits which counterfeit the Holy Spirit and as a result a church will become infiltrated by a spirit of divination and fortune telling and even by a clairvoyant spirit. In the churches it may be that there is not as much understanding and discernment of these differences as there should be. An extreme case of the attempted infiltration of the church by just such a spirit is contained in the story of Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24). The contrast between the true (the apostle Peter) and the counterfeit (Simon Magus) is graphically portrayed in this story. Because true prophetic ministry has its source in Jesus, and has at its heart, His testimony, even if, on the rare occasions it is of a personal nature, it will only lead those who hear and receive it, to Him from Whom it originally came. The counterfeit gifts and ministries, because they come from the soul can only reach the soul of the hearer and temporarily excite to false hope or perhaps to a deadly self-examination, from soul, to soul and no further. Those God uses in His church in this gift will not become sought out by others looking for a “word from God for my life” and if they are they will turn those who come to Him Who is THE Prophet.

To close I will quote in full the words of the Apostle Peter as he writes concerning Old Testament prophets and their ministry. Mark the quickening spirit that inspired their utterance and the overall content of what they spoke. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories” (1 Peter 1:10-11). The words rang with the note of salvation and it was the Spirit of Christ Who spoke in them and through them.