Justification For Modern Day Prophecy

Introduction: Scripture Reading- I Cor. 13:8-10

In discussions surrounding modern-day prophecies, several justifications are often presented by those who believe in the continuation of the prophetic gift. These justifications typically center around the idea that prophecy, as a spiritual gift, still exists today to edify, encourage, and guide the church. Below are some of the key justifications for modern-day prophecies:

1. Biblical Precedent for Prophecy in the New Testament

• Scripture Reference: “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.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
• Justification: Proponents of modern-day prophecy point to passages such as Ephesians 4:11-12, which speak of prophets as gifts to the Church. They argue that prophecy is listed as one of the gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit, which continues to be operative in the church today.
  • To be an apostle- they were given abilities that others didn’t have (Acts 8:5-17; vs. 29)
  • Prophecy was accompanied by speaking in tongues- Acts 2:1-16 (gloce-sah, tongues- to speak in another language, by indication an unknown tongue
  • Evangelist, pastor, and teacher- did not require any extra revelation from God, outside the Word. Prophecy and tongues are spiritual gifts mentioned in I Cor. 13 as gifts that would cease when the gospel was complete.

2. The Gift of Prophecy as a Spiritual Gift

• Scripture Reference: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
• Justification: The New Testament encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts, and prophecy is specifically mentioned as a gift that is to be desired. Some believe that this gift continues today, and therefore, modern-day prophecy is a legitimate expression of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of Christians.
  • They don’t continue with verse- prophecy here is again tied to speaking in tongues. (I Cor. 1-15) The only way for it to work was to have an interpretation of the unknow tongue. It was a gift by itself. Paul says that if he prays in an unknown tongue, he doesn’t understand it. He needs interpretation. Those who claim they have the gift of prophecy today, just say they automatically know what is being said. (II Pet. 1:20-21

3. Prophecy as Edification and Encouragement

• Scripture Reference: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3)
• Justification: Modern-day prophets are often said to operate in the role of encouraging and comforting the church, just as biblical prophecy did. They believe that prophecy today still serves to build up the body of Christ by providing guidance, encouragement, and clarity in times of uncertainty.
  • The scriptures are our hope and comfort- I Cor. 15:1-7; once that which is perfect or complete (the gospel) comes then we will have all the things we need spiritually (II Pet. 1).

4. God’s Continuing Revelation

• Scripture Reference: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
• Justification: While Christ is the ultimate revelation of God, some believe that God still communicates with His people through the Holy Spirit today. They argue that modern-day prophecy is part of God’s continuing work in revealing His will for specific situations or people, even if it does not carry the same authority as Scripture.
  • If it doesn’t carry the same authority, then why should it be listened to over scripture?
  • God now speaks to us through his Son, John 1, the Word or Logos, not prophecy. Jesus did say that he would send the Comforter or the Holy Spirit to the apostles, but they wrote the Word down so they all could still have it today: John 20:29-31; Rom. 10:17

5. The Role of Prophecy in the Early Church

• Scripture Reference: “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.” (Acts 21:10)
• Justification: The New Testament provides examples of prophets in the early church, such as Agabus, who prophesied future events. Proponents of modern-day prophecy assert that if prophets existed in the early church, it is reasonable to believe that the gift continues in the present day, especially in light of God’s ongoing work within the church.
  • Proponents of modern-day prophecy believe that in I Cor. 13 when it says “that which is perfect is come”, is the church. They say we aren’t perfect yet or we haven’t been lifted up to the father yet as perfect so these gifts still exist. We have to bear in mind the context of these verses, Paul said, “we know in part”. Knowledge of God and His Word comes from God. We wouldn’t know about God if He hadn’t revealed Himself to man. Why have the apostles write down the events of the first century and the things the Holy Spirit gave them, if we were just going to continue to have God speak to us today?

6. Prophecy as a Means of Guidance for the Church

• Scripture Reference: “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
• Justification: Modern-day prophecy is sometimes viewed as a tool for God to provide specific guidance or direction for individuals or the church as a whole. Just as the Holy Spirit spoke to the early church, it is believed that He continues to speak today to direct the path of believers.
  • Again, Peter said we have all things for life and godliness. He listed of the virtues. How do know about those things today? We read and study God’s Word. How does he say we can keep from sinning, we become mature in these things (the virtues). If the scriptures give as these things to guide us and keep us focused on the things above as Paul told the Colossians, then why do we still need God to guide us through prophecy. All things sufficient for salvation have been revealed.

7. The Continuing Work of the Holy Spirit

• Scripture Reference: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
• Justification: Since the Holy Spirit is still active in the lives of believers, many argue that He continues to use prophecy as a means of guiding the church. Prophecy is seen as one of the ways the Holy Spirit can provide wisdom, revelation, and insight to believers, helping them to navigate life's challenges and understand God's will more clearly.
  • John 13-18 (John 16:13-17) Jesus is speaking to his disciples. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples and NOT to everyone. On Penticost in Acts 2, the gifts of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people and not the Holy Spirit himself. The only other time the HS came upon other people like it did the apostles, is in Acts 10, in Cornelius’ household. This was simply to show that God approved the Gentiles. These people did not receive any abilities beyond what could be given when the apostles lay hands on people to impart spiritual gifts.

8. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments

• Scripture Reference: “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Corinthians 14:32)
• Justification: Some modern-day prophets are called to warn the church or individuals about potential dangers, providing direction to avoid pitfalls or judgment. Just as the Old Testament prophets issued warnings to the nation of Israel, proponents of modern prophecy argue that similar warnings may still be relevant for the church today.
  • 2 Thess. 2:1-17; don’t believe what people say, believe what God has told you, through the apostles and the letters they wrote

9. The Fulfillment of Prophetic Promises in the Last Days

• Scripture Reference: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
• Justification: This passage, quoting the prophet Joel, is often cited as evidence that prophecy is an ongoing phenomenon, especially in the last days. Many believe that we are living in the "last days" and that, as a result, prophecy continues to be active, with people today experiencing prophetic visions and dreams.
  • Acts 2:14-16; that event in Acts 2 was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Not something 2,000 years later or now.

10. The Role of Prophecy in Confirmation and Clarity

• Scripture Reference: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1)
• Justification: In modern contexts, prophecy is sometimes seen as a means of confirming the will of God or providing clarity in decision-making. Proponents believe that modern prophecies can be a tool for confirmation, especially when seeking God’s guidance in uncertain situations, in line with the biblical principle of establishing truth through multiple witnesses.
  • Heb. 11; Heb. 12:1-2 The OT prophets and faithful are our witnesses. The Word was confirmed in the first century.
  • Luke 16:27-31; Under the old law, the law and the prophets were sufficient, miracles were not required. The same is true today with the law of Christ, the gospel. II Pet. 1:3, we have all things for life and godliness.

Conclusion:

• “Justifications for modern-day prophecies rely on the understanding that the Holy Spirit continues to be active in the lives of believers and that prophecy, as a gift of the Spirit, is still relevant in the church today. While proponents of modern prophecy acknowledge the importance of testing all prophetic words against Scripture and the authority of God's Word, they emphasize that prophecy today can still serve the same purposes as it did in the early church: edification, encouragement, guidance, and revelation. However, these prophecies should be carefully discerned and should never contradict the established truths of Scripture.”
• It should never contradict the established truths of Scripture, but it doesn’t have the same authority of scripture. Prophecy in the OT and in the first century was meant to bring God’s Word to man, to warn, etc. There was an importance in the mind of those that were blessed to have this gift to ONLY speak what God told them to speak. It was authoritative, because it came from God. (Deut. 18:15-22); vs. 1-14, the Israelites would go into the land of Canaan and there would be ones that would speak things and they weren’t to listen to them.
• Invitation

Author: Patrick King