Many Renewalists say yes for prophecy. The biblical evidence favors them. Now what about prophets? (I have recently updated this post yet again, on December 11 29, 2024.)

All translation are from the NIV unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please go to biblegateway.com.

Prophecy happens so often in our churches that we believe their biblical validity is a done deal. Questioning this is like asking whether the sun shines. We are so-called “continuationists” (those who believe the gifts of 1 Cor. 12:7-11 continue today).

But what about the gift of the prophet? Paul wrote: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). If the latter three gifts are going strong, why not the prophets (and apostles)? Does the prophet still exist today? Do Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 close the door to them today? Those questions will be explored thoroughly in this post.

I use the outline format just for clarity and conciseness. If you would like to see the verses, you can go to biblegateway.com and type in the references.

This post has a companion piece:

New Testament Restricts Authority of Modern Prophets

First, let’s look at prophecy. Then we’ll look at prophets.

I.. The Gift of Prophecy

A.. Prophecies are for today

The gift of prophecy (and gifts generally) has not ceased. Ephesians 4:11 say they exist, and v. 13 has a time marker: “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature” […]. First Corinthians 1:7 says the Corinthians are not lacking in any gift, as they wait for the revealing (coming) of Jesus. In other words, Paul assumed that the gifts would keep going until Jesus returned. He has not returned; therefore, the gifts keep going.

Next, God has democratized the gift of prophecy:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)

Anyone can prophesy, if God has called and given her this gift. It is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6).

First Corinthians 13:8-10 says that prophecy will pass away, and so will the gift of prayer languages and knowledge. We know in part and prophesy in part. When the perfect comes, the partial or incomplete will pass away. It is impossible to interpret the “perfect” in any way other than the coming of Jesus, when we combine it with 1 Corinthians 1:7. At Christ’s coming we will have new, transformed bodies—including our brains. Only then will the deficient knowledge we have now will pass away become complete for our new existence. We will enter a new level. Yes, we will remember our former earthly existence, but the usage of our old natural knowledge will be to no effect in eternity. For this reason, the “perfect” cannot be Scripture, particularly when Paul knew nothing of the closing of the canon.

B.. The biblical validity of prophecy

Women may prophesy in public (in church). In 1 Corinthians 11:5, in a discussion on head coverings, Paul assumes, matter-of-factly, that a man and woman can pray or prophesy in church, so prophecies spoken by women are valid in the assembly.

Prophecy is a gift of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:6, prophecy is one of the gifts, and it is just as valid as the other gifts.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:20, Paul orders the Thessalonians not to despise prophecies. This assumes that they existed, in the first place. It is easy to reach the conclusion that some people may have been despising them because the prophecies were abundant and wrong.

The key chapter is 1 Corinthians 14. Paul starts off by saying that we should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, particularly that we may prophesy (v. 1). This desire differs from our desire to speak in heavenly languages in the assembly because no one understands them without an interpretation. In contrast, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their edification; they can understand the words (v. 3).

Acts 19:6 is about twelve disciples who knew only John’s baptism, but when Paul laid hands on them, they prophesied. In Acts 21:9 Philip’s four unmarried daughters prophesied and seemed to do this regularly. From the context they were prophetesses. Teachers teach regularly, and prophets (or prophetesses) prophesy regularly.

However, prophets can speak two or three in sequential order, and others can weigh or judge what they say (1 Cor. 14:29). The church should judge the prophecies. There doesn’t need to be a team of prophets only to judge them. This shows too much self-interest and self-protection. It’s a potentially dangerous clique. Pastors and other church leaders get to judge the prophecies. They would be derelict in their care for the church if they did not.

C.. The Source of Prophecy

Acts 2:17-18 says the Spirit is now poured out in the last days, so the sons and daughters shall prophesy. The Spirit is the source. This verse also democratizes the gift of prophecy, as the Spirit distributes the gift as he determines (1 Cor.. 12:4-11)

Further, in 1 Corinthians 14:26 prophecy may be equated with a revelation, and that goes beyond just study and using the natural mind. The whole context of Chapter 14 is the charismata (Spirit-inspired gifts) in action, not scholarship and Greek and Hebrew word roots, for example (though study is valuable in itself). The Spirit distributes the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:7-11). It does not originate in the mind after studying Scripture.

D.. The parameters of prophecy

We can judge prophecies. When they fall within these parameters, they are sound. When they do not, they are unsound. The three-dimensional parameters is seen in 1 Corinthians 14:3, using these translations:

Edify, exhort, and comfort (KJV)

Edification, exhortation, and comfort (NKJV)

Strengthening, encouragement, and consolation (NET)

Strengthen, encourage, and comfort (NIV)

Edification, exhortation, and consolation (NASB)

Grow in the Lord, encouraging, and comforting (NLT)

Strength, encouragement, and comfort (NCV)

Helped, encouraged, and made to feel better (CEV)

Upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation (ESV)

Here’s Paul writing about personal prophecies to Timothy:

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well … (1 Tim. 1:20)

Personal words edify, encourage, and comfort, as they did for Timothy. Those three elements guide the prophets too.

Next, prophecy reveals the heart’s secrets. In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, one purpose of prophecy is that when a newcomer enters the assembly, he hears words that disclose the secrets of his heart. He will then fall on his face and worship God and declare God is among the believers assembled together. This idea runs counter to the claim that prophecy is just proclaiming the gospel, for the secrets of the heart are not necessarily disclosed, while a prophecy can do that in more detail. But personal prophecies must be used with extreme caution. Sometimes prophets speak from their own soul and their words are not pure but tainted. If your heart does not already have a conviction, then put the prophecies on the shelf. Don’t act on it. This is especially important for relationships. If your heart is not into a man (or woman), but a prophet tells you that you will marry him (or her), then put it on the shelf. Do not act on it. Caution!

We can learn from an accurate prophet. Agabus seems like an interesting character who circulated throughout the Christian community in Judea (Acts 11:27-30; 21:10) and in Antioch of Syria, a long distance from Jerusalem. No doubt he submitted to the church leaders in Jerusalem. He was also part of a team of Messianic Jewish prophets. He was not an independent operator. His predictions came true. Is there a connection between being part of a team of prophets and accurate predictions? Yes. Teamwork keeps one safe from self-delusion and soul power, as distinct from the Spirit’s power.

E.. Guidelines for predictive and personal prophecies

No prophecy should contradict Scripture. If a prophet says a man should divorce his wife and marry another, the prophecy is false because it violates the clear teaching of Scripture (Deut. 5:18; Matt. 19:9). The person receiving the false prophecy must correct the church prophet.

The prophet is permitted to speak predictions. Agabus and his team predicted a famine, which happened (Acts 11:27-30). He also predicted that Paul would be put in chains and taken into custody in chains (Acts 21:10-11).

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 say that if a prophet speaks anything in God’s name that God has not commanded or in the name of other gods, then he shall be put to death. And how does one tell whether he has spoken what God has not commanded? If what the prophet proclaims does not come true. In Deuteronomy 13, he also told the people to follow other gods. Untrue predictions and preaching false gods–combined–make for a false prophet (see below). However, grace is needed in the New Covenant. The passages in Deuteronomy 13 and 18 needs to be filtered through the New.

Prophets can speak two or three in sequential order, and others can weigh or judge what they say (1 Cor. 14:29). The church should judge the prophecies. There doesn’t need to be a “team of prophets only” to judge them. This shows too much self-interest and self-protection. It’s a potentially dangerous clique. Don’t pastors and other church leaders get to judge the prophecies? Of course they do. They would be derelict in their care for the church if they did not.

Yes, today’s prophets today predict things that do not come true, like this or that candidate wining or not winning the presidency or some such thing. Should the church stone them to death? Of course not. We live in the New Covenant. Should we consider him a false prophet if even one predictive prophecy does not come true? No, for grace is needed, again. He prophesies within the safety of the local church, and his prophecies have to be judged, implying that he can be wrong and needs correction.

But what do we do if the prophet develops a pattern of untrue predictive prophecies? Clearly when his predictions regularly do not come true, he is speaking from his own soul, not from the Spirit. Someone needs to speak into his life and tell him to get off of youtube or shut down his blog or take a break from prophecy if he speaks in a local church.

Further, someone going on youtube or writing on his blog or posting on facebook shows an untethered, unchurched, independent prophet in the first place. Bad news. Heading for trouble, eventually. Biblically I urge people not to obey or put much confidence in this independent prophet, until he can prove that he belongs to a Christian community who regularly judge his prophecies.

II.. Prophets

A.. OT prophets cannot be duplicated today.

They belonged to and ministered in the old Sinai Covenant in the nation of Israel which also belonged within the Sinai Covenant. America or all other nations anywhere in the world does not have this covenant. By our reading their prophecies in Scripture, these prophets still establish the foundation about the Messiah and moral law and other such principles. They establish doctrine. OT prophets were inspired to speak and write Scripture, or true prophets like Elijah, Elisha and Micaiah were affirmed in Scripture. Modern prophets cannot do that. They are excluded.

B.. The NT ministry of the prophet today

Recall that Ephesians 4:11-13 says that prophets exist to mature the body of Christ and grow the church up in the knowledge of his Son and to live in unity. The time marker until implies that prophets exist to the present day because we are not mature and unified. In NT Greek, the word office does not exist, but the context (v. 8) says Christ gave gifts so that his temple can be built. If evangelists, pastors and teachers exist today, why not prophets?

Further, in 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul wrote that “God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, leadership, different kinds of tongues” (my translation). That verse seems to open the door to prophets existing today because of how easily Paul shifts from the people (apostles, prophets, teachers, leaders) and then the activities or manifestations. Everything is open to us today.

C.. Examples of prophets

Prophets were received in churches (Matt. 10:41). Jesus said prophets exist, and when we receive a prophet (in our churches and homes), we will receive a prophet’s reward. Matthew may have included this verse because prophets ministered in the earliest communities, so he teaches us to show them hospitality and respect. This statement is general enough that it does not speak about OT prophets or prophets in Judaism before the cross, but then they disappear after the birth of the church; they do not disappear. Jesus was speaking to his kingdom community, then and now.

As noted, Agabus and his team predicted a famine, which happened (Acts 11:27-30), and he predicted that Paul would be put in chains and taken into custody, which also happened (Acts 21:10-11).

Prophets and teachers in Antioch of Syria sent off Paul and Barnabas for the mission to which God called them. Again these prophets were part of a team (Acts 13:1-3).

Judas and Silas were prophets. In Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas were sent by the Jerusalem (Messianic) Council to encourage and strengthen the believers in Antioch of Syria with many words. Then they were sent off by the brothers there.

Prophets in Ephesus were in church leadership. Paul lists one of the gifts of the prophets among the apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11).

First Corinthians 14:29 says that only two or three prophets should speak, one at a time. Is this a regular ministry gift, or just some individuals who prophecy regularly? Where do we draw the line? To answer this question, the local leadership needs to exercise judgment. Paul’s point is not to allow the prophets to dominate the assembly.

Renewalists who believe in the gift of the prophet in the New Covenant community would read the word literally—prophets = office of prophet. It is not an office, but a ministry gift (Eph. 4:8).

In 1 Corinthians 14:32, the spirit of the prophets is under control of the prophets. In other words, they do not have uncontrollable urges to disrupt and dominate. They can keep quiet and be in order.

In 1 Corinthians 14:37, Paul writes that if anyone thinks he is a prophet, let him acknowledge that the things Paul is writing is a command from the Lord. His letter takes priority and authority over these prophets.

D.. Function of the prophet

Prophets are to speak for comfort, edification, and exhortation (1 Cor. 14:3). (See above, for more translations of those three key words.) If prophecies are for that purpose, then those three elements guide the prophets too.

Prophets can also reveal the hearts of others (1 Cor. 14:24-25). This may be considered personal prophecy. The prophet speaks accurate words about a man’s heart.

Prophets can predict. As noted, to cite one example, Agabus predicted a famine, and it happened (Acts 11:27-30).

Prophets can warn and rebuke. Agabus and his team warned Paul what would happen when he got to Jerusalem, and they were right. (Acts 21:10-11). John the Baptist, a transitional prophet from the Old to the New, rebuked Herod Antipas and paid with his life (Matt. 14:1-12). But he spoke to his ruler, much like modern prophets can speak to politicians and their good or bad policies.

Prophets can offer revelations. However, this is not the same as Scripture—not even close!—but revelations come in all sorts of sizes and purposes (1 Cor. 14:26). These revelations do not lay down a new foundation (Eph. 2:20; 3:5); they occur in the local church, and they are judged by the church.

If a local church sends out a tested and true prophet to speak to another church, then the host church should be informed that all his prophecies are to be judged. He is not an independent prophet.

III.. Restrictions

A.. Two verses

Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 say the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (2:20), and the mystery of Christ has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets (3:5).

Ephesians 2:20 says that God’s people and members of his household are […] ²⁰ “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20, emphasis added). The key word for our purposes is the foundation.

Ephesians 3:5 states that the mystery of Christ has been revealed to the apostles and prophets of Paul’s generation have made known the mystery of Christ by revelation that Israel and Gentiles form one body: […] ⁵ “it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:5, emphasis added).

Those prophets no longer exist today. Even the congregational prophets at Corinth (see below) did not qualify.

B.. Apostle-prophets?

Does this group explain who laid the foundation? Wayne Grudem in his book The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today (pp. 45-65) argues that apostles and prophets in Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 should be read as apostle-prophets, as one group, not two. He offers evidence from other verses that say two different words can function for one group or one person (Rom. 16:17; Eph. 6:21; Phil. 2:25; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 5:12; Tit. 2:13; Phm. 1; Heb. 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:11). His goal is to prove that the foundation prophets were of a higher order than the prophets, say, at Corinth. He sees a first tier and a second tier (my words, not his).

However, apostles and prophets were different groups. And Prof. Grudem assures us that if we do not combine apostle-prophet, then the prophets in Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 still share apostolic authority (or just below), since they are part of the foundation. They established doctrines about Christ. Further, recall that 1 Corinthians 12:28 (God placed in the churches first apostles, second prophets, third teachers). Paul actually enumerated them with “first … second ….” To me, apostles and prophets are different. So who are the foundation prophets?

C.. Foundational prophets

Grudem does not, however, offer any names as to who these foundational prophets were (or maybe he did and I missed it). Perhaps Agabus, who was known in Jerusalem, since he came from Judea, may qualify. After all, the apostle Paul accepted his prophecy as authoritative (Acts 21:10-11).

Judas and Silas were only two examples of foundation prophets. They participated in the Jerusalem (Messianic) Council (Acts 15), who sent them back to Antioch with an authoritative letter that changed earliest Christianity (Acts 15:27), and they were called prophets (15:32). It is entirely probable that Paul heard these men prophesy, since Paul and Barnabas journeyed with them to Antioch of Syria (15:25) and were in Antioch together. Silas and Judas were known to the Council and had authority that the Corinthian prophets did not have. The Council itself may have even recognized Judas’s and Silas’s prophetic ministry and called them prophets. These prophets were establishing doctrine or practice with their letter.

Further, Silas may have been considered an apostle, since Paul says, “even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority…” (1 Thess. 2:6; “we” would include Silas (1:1). Since Silas and Judas were sent from Jerusalem (Acts 15:27), they may have lived in Jerusalem for a long time and may have seen the risen Christ with the 500 (1 Cor. 15:6), but this is not certain. Silas certainly went on a missionary journey with Paul (Acts 15-18). He was with Peter (1 Peter 5:12). So in that sense he was apostolic. His title is for sure prophet (Acts 15:32), and he helped Peter write his epistle, which would give him extra-authority and endorsement from Peter himself, who considered him a “faithful brother.” Good character. So once again, I do not believe in a apostle-prophet.

Clearly Silas and Judas and Agabus qualify as being foundational prophets occupying the foundation stone with the apostles because they were involved in the Jerusalem Council. Paul surely had them in mind when he wrote Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5. When Judas and Silas returned with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with the good news that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised, Paul did not correct or guide Judas and Silas, but let them minister and then go on their way (Acts 15:32-33). Yet, in Paul’s and Silas’s traveling together as a team, Paul was the senior partner (cf. Acts 17:15). But then Paul was the hero and main focus of the rest of the book of Acts. Therefore, the Corinthian prophets were not the foundation prophets of Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5. They were local Christians who simply prophesied (regularly) in their own congregation.

D.. Congregational prophets

They can also be called assembly or church prophets. They are restricted to speaking only in a local church. They are not foundational.

Also, 1 Corinthians 12:28 (God placed in the churches first apostles, second prophets, third teachers) opens the door to the congregational or church prophets because other manifestations of the Spirit are listed in the verse. The foundational prophets fulfilled their role in earliest Christianity. In contrast, if a prophet is someone who prophesies regularly, then the prophets mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:29, 32, 37 did not have authority to be part of the foundation, but they simply prophesied regularly in the assembly at Corinth. Paul taught that people prophesy regularly as a gift, much like teachers teach and servants serve (Rom. 12:6-7). Therefore, people who are gifted to prophesy regularly can call themselves prophets (1 Cor. 14:29, 32, 37). All prophets prophesy, but not all prophets laid the original foundation of doctrine.

The prophets, e.g. at Corinth, do not seem to share the same authority as the foundation prophets. Paul—an apostle—seems to treat the Corinthian prophets like regular church members, whom he can command (1 Cor. 14:37). Paul seems to have had a casual view of them and their prophecies, teaching and correcting them. “If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing is the Lord’s command” (1 Cor. 15:37). Then Paul announces his capacity to ignore these prophets: “But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored” (v. 38). They and their prophetic words would be shunned.

They were not like the ones in Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 who are on the same level as the apostles. We could include the Thessalonians, too, for they had prophecies going on in their churches, and presumably this means they were prophets, much like the Corinthian prophets.

Further, Paul reminded Timothy that prophecies were spoken over him (1 Tim. 1:18). When the elders laid hands on him, they prophesied over him (1 Tim. 4:14). These are personal prophecies that have nothing to do with laying the doctrinal foundation concerning the mystery of Christ and how salvation is available to the Gentiles. All prophets offer revelations, but not all prophets were foundational.

E.. Prophets do not lead a local church

In 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus we have a prolonged job description of church governance, particularly in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Those two chapters spell out the moral and social qualifications of elders. Further, In 1 Timothy 5:17 Paul commends above all the elder who works hard at preaching and teaching, or, more literally, he works hard in the word and doctrine.

¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17)

In no place in the pastoral epistles do we read that prophets led the church. Paul was the church planter in Ephesus, so as their apostle he oversaw the church, but he did not instruct Timothy to appoint apostles. He was to appoint elders of the highest character. And the elder who works hard at preaching and teaching are singled out.to receive double honor.

Further, in Acts 20:17-38 Paul summoned the leaders of Ephesus. Did he call for any apostle or prophet? No, he asked the elders to meet him southward, along the Aegean Sea, in the city of Miletus. Overseers (= elders) and deacons governed (that is, served) the church at Philippi (Phil. 1:1). Paul commissioned Titus to complete what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town on Crete (Titus 1:5-9). And he commissioned Timothy to do the same in Ephesus, including male and female deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13).

F.. One extremely important verse

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part […] (1 Cor. 13:9). This verse teaches all prophets today that they will not have the full answer. Their prophecies are only partial. Therefore, they must prophesy in humility, realizing their own limitations. Independent prophets who are full of bluster and authority should be ignored. Their arrogance can lead them astray, such that they believe in themselves and their own press releases and promotions. They can be deceived.

F.. Summary

The foundation prophets no longer exist today. They lived in the apostolic generation at the beginning of the New Covenant. They were establishing doctrine and the foundation of the church. They were revealing the mysteries of Christ doctrinally. Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the foundation.

In contrast, prophecies spoken by ordinary prophets are different than those spoken by the foundation prophets. They are congregational prophets who spoke personal prophecies and revelations confined within the local congregation.

All prophets prophesied in the first century, but not all prophets laid the original foundation in the first century. The foundational prophets were authoritative, the congregational prophets were under authority.

Therefore, people today who are gifted to prophesy regularly can call themselves prophets (1 Cor. 14:29, 32, 37). Prophets today should remain within the safety of the local church, where they can receive correction and encouragement. Independent prophets, now springing up everywhere on YouTube, are out of control and becoming dangerous. They are wrong many times. They must shut down their vlogs and go back to their local church and prophesy there.

IV. Two Passages in Deuteronomy

A. Deuteronomy 13

The prophets or dreamers who speak in Deuteronomy 13 are pagans with supernatural abilities, for they could work a sign or wonder. And they told the Israelites to go after other pagan deities. They also incited a rebellion against God. All of this eventually led to the downfall of Israel, over many centuries.

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, ² and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” ³ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. ⁵ That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God [,,,] (Deut. 13:1-5)

B. Deuteronomy 18

This chapter is about a mediator prophet who would replace Moses.

²² For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. ²³ Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ (Acts 3:22-23)

C. Summary

Yes, we can still learn from those two OT passages, as we can from all of the OT, but they do not describe ordinary congregational or church prophets, like the ones at Corinth. Let’s not rip those two passages out of their original context and over-apply them.

V. Three Sources of Prophecy

Two of them are wrong; only one is right.

A. First and Wrong Source

Unfortunately, this is the most frequent. See if you can spot it in these verses from Jeremiah and Ezekiel, particularly in the bold font:

[…] They speak visions from their own minds,
    not from the mouth of the Lord. (Jer. 23:16)

²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? […] ³⁰ “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against  the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. ³¹ Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’   ³² Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. (Jer. 23:25-26, 30-32 emphasis added)

Ezekiel also has the right insight into these confused prophets:

² “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! […] ¹⁷ “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them  (Ezek. 13:2, 17, emphasis added)

So this wrong source of prophecy is from the human mind and imagination. Their dreams have a human origin–themselves–and they mistake these words for God’s words. They even steal words from each other.

Prophets today who are in the New Covenant also rely, wrongly, on their own imagination and minds, even though they believe their words come from God. They seem unable to spot this defective source but wrongly believe their own thoughts and dreams are God’s thoughts and dreams he gives.

I don’t believe that most of these confused prophets today are deliberately intending to deceive people, though some may be deliberately deceitful. This is why I cannot in good conscience call the sincere but confused people false prophets, for in Scripture false prophets seem to live outside a relationship with Jesus. “‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt. 7:23). (See the second source, below.)

Matthew 7:21-23: “I Never Knew You, Depart from Me!”

Instead, the sincere ones, though sincerely wrong, are simply uninstructed and over-zealous.

Some, however, are very strident and are unwilling to slow down. They may feel pressure to produce prophecies each week or two or three times a week.

Some prophets deliberately prophesy lies. Jeremiah is especially strong about this:

¹⁴ Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. ¹⁵ Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them […] (Jer. 14:14-15)

Speaking lying prophecies is evil.

B. Second and Wrong Source

This is the worst of all. Can you spot this source in these verses, particularly in bold font?

The context is Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, intended to recover the town of Ramoth Gilead, and he requested the help of the good (enough) king Jehoshaphat of Judah. The kings asked for the prophets to step forward, and they declared words from the Lord that predicted victory. Then Ahab summoned Micaiah, a true prophet. Micaiah saw in the Spirit or heard from the Spirit that the prophets were believing a lying or deceiving spirit, sent or allowed by God himself. When God sends or allows deceiving spirits, then the prophets and people are under judgment.

¹⁹ Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. ²⁰ And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

“One suggested this, and another that. ²¹ Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

²² “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

“‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ (1 Kings 22:19-22, emphasis added; see parallel the passage in 2 Chron. 18)

I noted above the passage that when God sends or allows a deceiving spirit to influence the minds of prophets, then the prophets and people are under judgment.

C. Third and Right Source

This is the only true source of prophecy that makes this biblical gift correct and right and edifying.

See if you can spot the source in these verses, particularly in the bold font:

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge  by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)

The only true source of prophecy is the Holy Spirit. All other “prophecies” are not prophecies at all, but come from human imagination and their own mind or, worse, from a deceiving spirit.

When the Spirit speaks prophetically, he edifies, encourages, and comforts (1 Cor. 14:3). When words wander off from those three parameters, be cautious. The one prophesying may be listening to his own mind or worse–an evil spirit!

D. Solutions to the problem of mixed prophecies

The first solution is humility and willingness to be taught and corrected.

However, prophets today are arrogant; they don’t seem to need or even want correction. But here’s what God does to arrogant and humble people:

⁵ […]  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  (1 Peter 5:5b-6)

The American church, particularly the Charismatic variety, sits under God’s judgment due to arrogance, Yes, individual churches may be doing things right and are not arrogant, but generally the church is not doing things right and is arrogant.

Prophets in these churches do not seem to understand this restriction:

For we know in part and we prophesy in part (1 Cor. 13:9)

It takes humility to accept their own limitations. If they do not, then they may fall prey to the worst source of all, a lying spirit.

More inerrantly inspired wisdom from Peter:

¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

Yes, God really does judge his family household–his church–first. Recall that in 1 Kings 22 God allowed a deceiving spirit to put words in prophets’ mouths because the kings and the prophets were under judgment.

The second solution: all disciples, particularly prophets, must live the crucified life.

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

We are to die daily.

Paul connects life in the Spirit with the crucified life:

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:24-25)

I believe that many prophets speak out of their own desires and passions, similar to the “prophets” in the OT who spoke out of their own minds and imaginations (the first source, above). The modern prophets may desire and be passionate for money or fame. Or their motives may be pure enough; they have a passion to bless people. The solution is to crucify those things. Then the Spirit can work and the mistakes will diminish.

Third solution: the prophets are to submit to elders who understand Scripture, not to elders who stamp “we approve!” on every prophecy. Churches are to be led by a team of leaders who know what they are doing because they are Bible educated. They are also mature enough to tell the star prophet no. N-O, no.

VI.. Application

A.. The ministry of the prophet exists today.

Paul taught that people prophesy regularly as a gift, according to their faith, much like teachers teach and servants serve regularly (Rom. 12:6-7). Ephesians 4:11-13 lays out a time marker that has not been achieved, even in our generation. And 1 Corinthians 1:7 says the gifts are valid until Jesus comes back.

B.. Biblical distinctions

It works out like this:

1.. Old Testament prophets: they are out of reach for anyone.

2.. Foundational prophets: they ministered in the first-century and out of reach today.

3.. Church prophets: they were correctable and in a local assembly as seen in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. Even Agabus was connected to the Jerusalem church.

Everyone who claims to be a prophet today certainly does not belong to the class of OT prophets, and he is not a foundational prophet. The only option left for today’s prophet is the third category. God has restricted the modern prophet.

C.. Prophets and the local church.

A prophet’s ministry is located within the Christian community. Woe to a church that is led by a prophet. A teaching pastor or elder or overseer should lead it. The teacher can have a prophetic gift, like prophecy or a word of wisdom or word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:7-11; 14:1), but teaching should be his mainstay. The prophet’s prophecies must be judged, and he is to be corrected, if necessary. His authority comes under the team of pastors, particularly the teaching pastor. Prophets prophesying only within the safety of the local church and having their prophecies judged would solve many problems.

D.. Test all prophecies

Modern prophets are not inspired to write Scripture. Scripture is flawless (Pss. 12:6; 18:30; Prov. 30:5). Prophecies from modern prophets are not. Scripture is inspired in a special way (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Modern prophets’ inspiration does not rise to that level. Therefore, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 Corinthians 14:29 say prophecies must be tested and proven, imply that church prophets can be wrong.

E.. Humility

Today’s prophets should indeed speak out to the nations and churches and individuals with the local church’s backing and calling and authority. But they must know their restrictions. They can only prophesy in part (1 Cor. 13:9). Without humility, they may become arrogant and concentrate too much power in their own gift.

.F. Final word of exhortation and even warning

Youtube prophets have gone off the rails and are excessive. They are detached from a local church, or they do not tell us what their local church connection is, where they can be cared for and shepherded and encouraged and corrected by the team of pastors and elders. They are setting themselves up for a stricter judgment (James 3:1). There are so many nowadays and their prophecies are so far off that I counsel everyone not to listen to them any longer. I further urge these self-appointed prophets to shut down their media channels. Pastors, be warned about permitting prophets to come into your church and take over. Tell them no. Yes, they can minister their gift, but watch them carefully. Tell the congregation to judge all prophecies.

James 3:1 is about teachers, but I believe it can be expanded to include prophets or anyone else with a platform: “Not many of you should become teachers, by fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” This refers to final judgment because of the future tense (“will”) and Hebrews 13:17, but it may also involve judgment during the lifetime of the teachers (or prophets).

Be warned about permitting prophets to come into your church and taking over. Tell them no.

No prophets leading the church! They must submit to the elders, particularly the teaching pastor / elder..

How does this post help me grow in Jesus Christ and his gifts?

Modern prophets, particularly the “youtube prophets,” seem to ignore this verse: “For we know in part and we prophesy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9). They seem to believe they prophesy in full. Wrong.

Further, woe to a church that is led by a prophet. A teaching pastor should lead it. He can have a prophetic gift, like prophecy or a word of wisdom or word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:7-11; 14:1), but teaching should be his mainstay.

Prophets prophesying only in the local church would solve many problems.

Since moderated and judged prophets exist today, how do we ensure that they don’t go astray? Let’s spell out five key points from Scripture.

First, Agabus worked in a team. Teamwork keeps the extra-charismatic safe from errors, in doctrine, character, and in doling out predictive prophecies and personal words to the church.

Second, the rest of the church is supposed to weigh prophecies. If a prophet is unwilling to submit to this weighing, then he has become a loose cannon and should be avoided.

Third, the Corinthian prophets were part of the local church. Prophets today must function in a body. I suggest traveling prophets regularly check back in to their home church. It would be arrogant of them to wander off on their own with their prophetic ministry. It might quickly go from prophetic to pathetic. They must not ruin their own lives by crashing and burning with their private ministry, as they wander from church to church. A word to them personally: Don’t ruin the lives of your victims with your independence and your words. They don’t know you.

Fourth, they must submit their prophesies to Scripture. It is flawless (Pss. 12:6; 18:30; Prov. 30:5); their minds are not. It has stood the test of time; they have not. It is inspired with certainty; they are not. It guides them; they do not guide it. It is the boss; they are not its boss.

Fifth and finally, here are some sobering words from Jeremiah’s days. Let’s hope they will never apply to God’s prophets today.

They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:18).

More rebuke and warning from the same chapter:

²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? ²⁷ They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. ²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. ²⁹ “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? […] 

³⁰ “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. ³¹ Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, The  Lord declares.’  ³² Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord. (Jer. 23:25-28, 30-32).

Prophetic ministry must be exercised with the greatest of care.

Let’s end on a positive note from the other direction. We are not to treat prophecies with contempt (1 Thess. 5:20). But we are to test them all and hold on to what is good (v. 21). Tested and proven prophecies can be a blessing for your life. We should seek the gifts, but especially that we may prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1).

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