The Gift of Prophecy in the Modern Church Context
The gift of prophecy, as understood in the modern church context, is a spiritual endowment given by God for the edification of believers and the church [3, 14]. Scripturally, prophecy is identified as a gift of the Holy Spirit [2]. The Apostle Paul mentions prophecy among the various gifts given according to the grace of God, instructing believers to use it "in proportion to their faith" [1, 13].
In the New Testament, prophecy often refers to inspired teaching, exhortation, or the expounding of Scriptures [12, 13]. While it can involve the foretelling of future events, as seen in the Old Testament [2], its New Testament application also encompasses speaking with divine authority concerning the past, present, or future [13]. The purpose of prophecy, in contrast to speaking in tongues without interpretation, is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort those who hear it, as it is immediately intelligible and beneficial [14].
The reception of prophetic gifts is attributed to the agency of the Spirit of God, though the precise means by which the divine Spirit communicates with the human spirit are not fully detailed in Scripture [4]. God is identified as the author of prophecy, giving it through Christ and the Holy Spirit [2]. These miraculous gifts were foretold in the Old Testament and poured out on the Day of Pentecost [3]. They are communicated through various means, including the preaching of the gospel and the laying on of the Apostles' hands [3].
The church is often described as a body with many different members, each possessing unique gifts and functions as determined by God [5, 6, 7]. Just as there are many members in a physical body, so too are there many members in the body of Christ, the church, each with different uses and services [7, 11]. These gifts, including prophecy, are dispensed according to God's sovereign will for the edification of the Church [3]. The community of believers is considered one body in Christ, where all receive God's promises in the same way, transcending differences [8, 9, 10].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:6 (BSB) — We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophecy — Is the foretelling of future events -- Ge 49:1; Nu 24:14. God is the author of -- Isa 44:7; 45:21. God gives, through Christ -- Re 1:1. A gift of Christ -- Eph 4:11; Re 11:3. A gift of the Holy Spirit -- 1Co 12:10. Came not by the will of man -- 2Pe 1:21. Given from the beginning -- Lu 1:70. Is a sure word -- 2Pe 1:19. They who uttered Raised up by God. -- Am 2:11. Ordained by God. -- 1Sa 3:20; Jer 1:5. Sent by God. -- 2Ch 36:15; Jer 7:25. Sent by Christ. -- Mt 23:34. Filled with the Holy Spirit. -- Lu 1:67. Moved by the Holy Spirit. -- 2Pe 1:21. Spoke by ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: How The Prophetic Gift Was Received — --We learn from Holy Scripture that it was by the agency of the Spirit of God that the prophets received the divine communication; but the means by which the divine Spirit communicated with the human spirit, and the conditions of the latter under which the divine communications were received, have not been clearly declared to us. They are however, indicated. In (Numbers 12:6-8) we have an exhaustive division of the different ways in which the revelations of God are made to man. + Direct declaration and manifestation: "I will speak”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 12:6: Having then gifts differing, etc. - As the goodness of God, with this view of our mutual subserviency and usefulness, has endowed us with different gifts and qualifications, let each apply himself to the diligent improvement of his particular office and talent, and modestly keep within the bounds of it, not exalting himself or despising others. Whether prophecy - That prophecy, in the New Testament, often means the gift of exhorting, preaching, or of expounding the Scriptures, is evident from many places in the Gospels, Acts, and St. Paul's Epistles, see Co1 11:4, C”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to us--Here, let it be observed, all the gifts of believers alike are viewed as communications of mere grace. whether--we have the gift of prophecy--that is, of inspired teaching (as in Act 15:32). Anyone speaking with divine authority--whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future--was termed a prophet (Exo 7:1). let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith--rather, "of our faith." Many Romish expositors and some Protestant (as CALVIN and BENGEL, and, though, hesit”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:2: 14:2-4 The problem with the gift of speaking in tongues is that hearers cannot readily understand the message; the gift of prophecy, however, is immediately intelligible and beneficial as a word from God that strengthens . . . encourages . . . and comforts those who hear.”