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Question: Does the Bible say that Prophets are no longer valid in today's church? Does the Bible say that Apostles are no longer valid in today's Christian church? The reason I was given for prophets still being in the church today was, the five-fold ministry given to the church in scripture mentions five gifts. Where in scripture were these gifts to the church taken away? Or is it just assumed that because it is so rare to see them, that they no longer exist? The reason I ask is that in two weeks a Prophet from Australia, is visiting our church. I want to know how to view him: as the real thing, or in error?Answer:
PROPHECY
We must distinguish between prophecy as a temporary manifestation of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10) and prophecy as a ministry gift of the church (Ephesians 4:11). As a ministry gift, prophecy is given only to some believers, who must then function as prophets within the church. As a spiritual manifestation, prophecy is potentially available to every Spirit-filled Christian (Acts 2:17-18).
Concerning prophecy as a spiritual manifestation:
(a) Prophecy is a special gift that enables a believer to bring a word or revelation directly from God under the impulse of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, 29-31). It is not the delivery of a previously prepared sermon.
(b) In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming God's will and exhorting and encouraging God's people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance
(c) The message may expose the condition of a person's heart (1 Corinthians 14:25) or offer strengthening, encouragement, comfort, warning and judgment (14:3, 25-26, 31).
(d) The church may not receive such prophecy as an infallible message, for many false prophets will enter the church (1 John 4:1). Therefore, all prophecy must be tested for genuineness and truth (1 Corinthians14:29,32; 1Thessalonians 5:20-21) by asking whether it conforms to God's Word (1 John 4:1), whether it promotes godly living (1 Tim. 6:3), and whether it is uttered by one who is sincerely living under Christ's lordship (1 Corinthians 12:3).
(e) Prophecy operates under God's will and not the will of humans. The New Testament never indicates that the church actively sought revelation or direction from those claiming to be prophets. Prophecy was given to the church only when God initiated the message (1 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Peter 1:21).
PROPHETS AS A MINISTRY
Prophets were believers who spoke under the direct impulse of the Holy Spirit in the name of God, and whose main concern was the spiritual life and purity of the church. Under the new covenant they were raised up and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring a message from God to his people (Acts 2:17; 4:8; 21:4).
(1) Old Testament prophets are foundational for understanding the prophetic ministry in the early church. Their primary task was to speak a word of God, by the Spirit, in order to encourage God's people to remain faithful to their covenant relationship. They also, at times, predicted the future as the Spirit revealed it to them. Christ and the apostles serve as examples of the Old Testament ideal (Acts 3:22-23; 13:1-2).
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (EPHESIANS 4:11)
(2) Prophets functioned within the New Testament church in the following ways:
(a)_ They were Spirit-filled proclaimers and interpreters of the Word of God, called by God to warn, exhort, comfort and edify (Acts 2:14-36; 3:12-26; I Corinthians 12:10; 14:3).
(b) They were to exercise the gift of prophecy
(c) They were at times seers ( 1 Corinthians 29:29) who foretold the future (Acts11:28; 21:10-11).
(d) Like the Old Testament prophets, the New Testament prophets were called to expose sin, proclaim righteousness, warn of judgment to come, and combat worldliness and lukewarmness among God's people (Luke1:14-17). Because of their message of righteousness, prophets and their ministry can expect rejection by many in the churches during times of lukewarmness and apostasy.
(3) The prophets 's character, burden, desire and ability include:
(a) a zeal for church purity (John 17:15-17; l Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:22-25)
(b) a deep sensitivity to evil and the capacity to identify and hate unrighteousness (Romans 12:9; Hebrews 1:9)
(c) a keen understanding of the danger of false teachings (Matthew 7:15; 24:11,24; Galatians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
(d) an inherent dependence on God's Word to validate the prophet's message (Luke 4:17-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16);
(e) a concern for the spiritual success of God's kingdom and a sharing in God's feelings (Matthew 21:11-13; 23:37; Luke 13:34; John 2:14-17; Acts 20:27-31).
(4) The prophets' messages are not to be regarded as infallible. Their messages are subject to the evaluation of the church, other prophets and God's Word. The congregation is required to discern and test whether their witness is from God (1 Corinthians 14:29-33; 1John 4:1).
(5) is continued to be essential to God's purpose for the church. A church that rejects God's prophets will be a declining church, drifting toward worldliness and the compromise of Biblical truth (1 Corinthians 14:3; Matthew 23:31-38; Luke 11:49; Acts 7:51-52). If prophets are not allowed to bring words of rebuke and warning, words prompted by the Spirit, words exposing sin and unrighteousness John 16:8-11), then the church will become a place where the voice of the Spirit can no longer be heard. Ecclesiastical politics and worldly power will replace the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3,12-22). On the other hand, if the church, with its leaders, hears the voice of the prophets, it will be moved to renewed life and fellowship with Christ, sin will be forsaken, and the Spirit's presence will be evident among the faithful (1 Corinthians 14:3; 1Thessalonians 5:19-21; Revelation 3:20-22).
(Donald C. Stamps, Full Life Study Bible Notes, Zondervan)
Prophets, Speakers for God
Jesus himself was the great Prophet, the One the Old Testament saw as the Coming One (Acts 3:22; Matthew 21: 11; John 6:14; 7:40; Deuteronomy 18:15).
The Old Testament prophet was a Spirit-filled spokesman for God, a mouth for God, yet one taught by God what to do and say. (Compare Micah 3:8; Amos 3:8; Exodus 7:1; 4:15,16.)
The New Testament word is also a speaker for God, the proclaimer of revelation directly received from God. With the apostles, they revealed truths that were mysteries in Old Testament times but are now revealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:5), and thus helped to lay the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). This implies they were used in bringing truth which was later included in the New Testament.
But, just as in the Old Testament times there were many prophets who challenged the people and led them in worship, but wrote no books, so it was in the New Testament church. Many brought illumination and practical application of truths already received. A good example is that of Silas and Judas who brought the decision of the Jerusalem Council to Antioch: "And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted (encouraged and challenged) the brethren with many words, and confirmed (strengthened) them" (Acts 15:32). This fits in very well with the nature of prophecy as we have seen it in I Corinthians 14:3.
Some prophets were used also to foretell the future, as was Agabus on two occasions that are recorded (Acts 11: 28; 21:11). In both of these cases Agabus left his home in Judea to give the prophecy where it would bring benefit. In the first case, an offering was taken to help the Jerusalem church during the prophesied famine, which came to pass. In the second case, the church was prepared to see God's will in the arrest and imprisonment of the apostle Paul. In neither case was there new doctrine involved. Nor was there direction given for what the church was to do. This was left to their own response to the Spirit. Never was there anything akin to fortune-telling in the ministry of these prophets, nor did they ever provide a substitute for a person seeking the will of God for himself. Those who were regularly used by the Spirit in the exercise of the gift of prophecy in the local congregation are also called prophets (1 Corinthians 14:29,32,37). The Bible also warns against false prophets who claim to speak by the Spirit and who must be put to the test (1 John 4:1).
(Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit, GPH Publishing)
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