New Testament Prophecy

Supernatural Gifts:

  1. Reveal and glorify God. (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

  2. Establish, confirm, and strengthen God’s people. “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV)

  3. Kingdom power for evangelism. (Acts 8:6,7; Rom 15:18, 19; 1 Cor 2:4, 5; Mark 16:15-20) 

  4. Freely share God’s love to a miserable world. (Matthew 10:8; Gal 6:10 NIV)

The Definition of Prophecy:

Prophecy is one method God uses to communicate His mind and purpose through a believer.  The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Prophecy is not inspired preaching. Greek means to speak forth the mind and will of God; specifically to foretell the future. A sermon may contain the supernatural: prophecy, a word of knowledge, or other gifts. (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Rev. 19:10)

A fulfillment of the Elijah ministry upon the church. God always reveals His purposes to His prophets before He acts. The Lord never been without a prophetic voice. (Malachi 4:5, 6; Amos 3:7, 8)

The Purpose for prophecy:

  • Edification - to strengthen or build up;

  • Exhortation - to stir up;

  • Comfort - to cheer up;

  • Conviction, but the Holy Spirit does not speak condemnation. (1 Corinthians 14:3)

How Prophecy Fulfills these Purposes:

  1. Prophecy foretells the future, but it’s not divination, the devil’s counterfeit. (Acts 11:27, 28)

  2. Prophecy can be forth telling a message of duty, warning, or instruction to a person or group. (Acts 15:32)

  3. Personal prophecy can reveal the gifts and ministries in a believer’s life. (1 Timothy 4:14)

  4. Prophecy is foreknowledge, not predestination. Prophecy reveals divine potential. Some promises are conditional. Rev 2 and 3 are good examples of prophecies with conditions.

Who can Prophesy? (Num. 11:25-27NIV; Deut 18:15)

All may prophesy at times.
King Saul sent 3 groups to capture David.  Even though he was not right with God with anger and murder in his heart, he prophesied when the anointing touched him. (1 Sam 19:20-24)

A unique sign of the age of grace is prophecy and prophetic manifestations. Paul mentions prophecy, 22 times in 1 Cor 14, because it builds the church.  All the gifts are to be desired but especially prophecy. (Acts 19:6; 1 Cor 12:31; 14:1, 24, 31, 39) 

Some People have the Gift of Prophecy.
Some people are chosen by God’s Spirit to prophesy on a regular basis. He deposits a gift of prophecy into a life. It becomes a part of the individual’s ministry. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 11)

A Few People are Prophets.
The ministry of a prophet combines the leadership calling and anointing with prophecy and other spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11, 12)

How does God communicate a prophetic utterance?

  1. Receive a word or a phrase and speaks out in faith, but he may receive a complete message.

  2. Prophecy may come as a dream or a vision.  

  3. Prophecy comes as a song. Examples: Psalms; Habakkuk chapter 3.

  4. Written but never equal authority with Word, not automatic handwriting, an occult practice.

  5. Many times a Spirit-led prayer will contain elements of prophecy and other spiritual gifts such as the word of knowledge. (Jeremiah 20:9)

Distinguishing between Old and New Testament Prophets:

There is a relevant continuity between the Old and New Testaments, but teaching which mixes Scriptures from both Testaments leads to misunderstanding the distinct difference between the Old and New Testament prophets. (Romans 15:5; 1 Corinthians 10:6)

Problems from not knowing the difference:

  1. People deification of the prophet’s ministry and put the prophet on a pedestal.

  2. People are afraid to begin to prophesy and gain ‘trial and error’ experience because Deut. 18:20-22 says you will die or be ridiculed if you prophesy presumptuously in His name or prophesy things that do not come to pass.

  3. A NT prophet may be 95% accurate, but make a mistake, people tend to reject everything.

  4. Some people blast out messages decrying the sin and wickedness of our generation thinking they are prophets like Jeremiah or Ezekiel. Even if God sends them, their preaching should not be considered prophecy nor their ministry considered that of a prophet. (Luke 9:51-56)

Prophets of Doom or Prophets of Prosperity?

Many people are confused and many walk away filled with fear, but it’s not the fear of the Lord. True prophecy does not rob your faith or leave you with a sense of hopelessness.

The end result of anointed messages is faith because faith comes by hearing. It may be very serious, but there is a sense of hope, faith, and the awesome power of God.

Those who only prophesy blessing and success are just as bad! In the O. T. the false prophets always painted a beautiful picture of the future. 400 prophets prophesied victory for the army of the king. One had the hard truth of future defeat and the death of the king. (1 K 22:6-36)


Beware of Flatterers.Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets”. (Luke 6:26)

No Public Repentance.When New Testament prophets are wrong, they should publicly admit it and ask forgiveness. 

Partial ‘repentance’. One prophet said Italy would win and England would lose the World War II!

Differences between Old and New Testament prophets:

  1. The O.T. prophet functioned alone although at times he worked with contemporaries and influenced groups of young prophets called the sons of the prophets. The N.T. prophet is always seen as a part of a multiple ministry. He can function alone or with a team, but he is always a part of the body of Christ. (Acts 11:27; 13:12; 15:32; 21:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:29)

  2. In the OT the prophet, priest, and king were offices that controlled, commanded, governed, and guided God’s people.  The people were required to obey them because of their Divine authority. If the people wanted to hear from God, they went to the prophet or priest to get Divine guidance. New Testament prophets are seen as a part of a multiple ministry that equips for service, rules by example, ministers pastoral care, and confirms God’s will. (Ephesians 4:11, 12)

  3. Agabus foretold of a famine, but he did not tell them what to do. (Acts 11:27-30)

  4. The prophets confirmed Paul’s call, which he had received years before. (Acts 13:1, 2)

  5. Agabus foretold Paul would be bound in Jerusalem, but he did not force him to stay or use his prophetic authority to demand a response from Paul. (Acts 21:10, 11)

  6. For a Christian to seek guidance through a prophet is to resort to an Old Testament practice. Christians are now guided by: The Bible, the Holy Spirit within, and the counsel of godly believers including the confirming word of their leaders.  Wherever two or three are gathered in His name, the Prophet Jesus is present to guide them. (Romans 8:14; Mat. 18:15)

  7. OT prophets brought forth infallible prophecies of the OT.  No NT prophet was used to speak or write the infallible Scripture of the NT.  Most of the N. T. writers can be identified as apostles. 

  8. The O.T. prophets required to be perfectly accurate. N.T. prophets to be perfectly Scriptural.

  9. When Paul wrote to correct the abuses of the Corinthians, he did not forbid prophecy or threaten the prophets with death. He told them to be more orderly and to judge the prophecies.

  10.  O.T. prophet ministered under the law covenant with Israel. The N.T. prophet brings life and release. He ministers the grace covenant to “whosoever will.”  (2 Cor 3:6-9; Rev 22:17)

Judging Prophecy and the Manifestations of the Holy SpiritManifestations Should be Judged

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things (NIV test everything); hold fast that which is good.” “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out in the world.” (1 John 4:1)

In the believers’ meeting, Paul said, “Let the prophets speak, two or three and let the other judge”. (1 Corinthians 14:29)  In Greek ‘judge’ is plural, present imperative.  It means to ‘determine, discern, or develop an opinion’. Judge in this verse means to discern what is from the Holy Spirit. Paul is saying in command form:

  • Utterances should be judged immediately.

  • Utterances should be judged by several others in the meeting, especially those who have experience in the way the Spirit works.

Who judges the gifts and how are they judged?

Our reception of supernatural words is subordinate to the Bible. “If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) Supernatural manifestations are never equal to or greater than the Bible. The same Spirit who inspired the Bible does not contradict Himself. 
Three sources initiate supernatural manifestations (It’s not ‘All Good’):

  1. The human spirit or human desire can be a false source.  “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets that prophesy out of their own hearts. Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing.” (Ezekiel 13:1-4)

  2. Demonic spirits are another false source. “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies.” (1 Timothy 4:1, 2)

  3. The Holy Spirit is the pure, true Source of the spiritual gifts.  Peter learned a difficult lesson. He needed to discern the difference between these sources of information. (Matthew 16:17, 23)

The first judge of the gifts is the ‘operator’ or minister of the gifts.

The operator of spiritual gifts is responsible for what he says and does, how he says it, and when he does it. God is not the author of confusion. “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of the prophets.” (1 Cor 14:32, 33) Peter was in a trance. John had manifestations, but later wrote them down. Demon possessed people lose control. Mystics, alcoholics, and disturbed people blank out. 
Before I act, I ask myself the following:

  1. Is there anything I am planning to say or do that directly contradicts principles in Bible? 

  2. Is God speaking to me or giving me a message for others? Am I prophesying to myself?

  3. Am I giving my opinion or desire by making it sound like God’s? Am I seeking revenge or expressing my grievances publicly? Am I emotionally involved so I add force

  4. Am I just getting blessed or does the Lord want me to give an utterance?  (1 Cor 14:23; 28)

  5. Is God giving me information to share publicly or for specific prayer? Exposing people’s problems publicly may not be God’s intention.

The second judge of the gifts is the receiver of ministry.

If a minister or anyone else gives me a message claiming it comes from God, I do not have to accept it if it does not seem right to me.  God holds me responsible for any foolishness that happens. 

“A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land:  The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.” (Jeremiah 5:31NIV)

“Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thess 5:20, 21) Critical people may miss God’s message. Don’t judge by the appearance or.

Prophesying in King Jame’s English does not carry more authority and also has nothing to do with the accuracy.

The receiver judges by asking:

  1. Is what is being said or done Scriptural?  (Acts 17:11)

  2. Does it confirm what I have thought? Usually personal prophecy confirms a desire God has already placed in a heart. Rarely does prophecy bring a surprising new direction.

  3. Do the gifts minister condemnation or conviction? Even in rebuke, the Holy Spirit does not destroy hope. He convicts and ministers the way to change.

Advice for those who receive prophecy:

  1. Ask the Lord to help you remember the specifics of any messages in the church or private.

  2. If you get prophecy, don’t start expecting people to always have a prophetic word for you. “What we know is incomplete, and what we prophesy is incomplete.” (1 Cor 13:9 Beck’s T)

  3. Share but don’t go ‘showing off’ your taped prophecies and getting everyone’s opinion.

  4. If you are confused, talk to a leader who is familiar with the prophetic gifts.

The third judge is spiritual leadership.

Church leaders bear an additional responsibility to judge the origin of supernatural manifestations. (Acts 20:27-30)

Questions leaders ask when the gifts are in operation:

  1. Is this manifestation Scriptural and does it ‘ring true’? (Acts 16:16-18)

  2. Does the message gather people to Jesus, glorify Him, and draw people together? Does it lead people to other gods or scatter people? (Deuteronomy. 13:1-5; 1 Corinthians 14:33)

  3. Does the ministry bring release or bondage?  (1 Corinthians 14:3; Luke 19:41-44)

  4. Does the minister have a ‘track record’ for accuracy?  (Matthew 7:15-20)

Advice for Leaders who want to have supernatural gifts functioning in their churches:

  1. Allow time in your meetings for the gifts to function.

  2. Expect results, but don’t deify the gifts. Pastors cannot expect signs and wonders, especially healing or prophecy, to cure all church problems. 

  3. Don’t make a scene out a failed attempt to minister the gifts. Encourage and instruct them privately.  People also have the Spirit to show them what is wrong.

  4. Don’t get a skeptical mentality and miss the ‘spirit’ of the above guidelines.

  5. Learn, practice, evaluate, and try it again. God created us to be naturally supernatural. 

  6. Don’t be so worried about visitors that you quench the Holy Spirit to be respectable. Build a church where the supernatural is normal Christianity. This is being accomplished through humans but not by human means. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Matthew 16:18; Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

  7. Believe God for more… because there is more available to the yielded vessel.

Principles in learning to minister the gifts of the Spirit:

Proper attitude and motivation

  1. Humility and Respect. Be humble and do not act like a ‘know-it-all.’ When we pray for the sick, we should not pretend to be a doctor or a psychiatrist. As much as Biblically possible we always cooperate with doctors and mental health professionals and communicate respect for them.  Their lives are dedicated to helping people. 

    2. The authority of a doctor may be equal to or greater than the politician. To offend him unnecessarily is unwise since it may hinder the work of the gospel in that area. In primitive areas the local witchdoctor may be the most powerful person in the community. Be cautious without communicating approval of his use of demonic powers and sorcery. If God leads you to confront them, then do it.

  2. Love. 1 Corinthians chapter 13, called the ‘love chapter’, is sandwiched between chapter 12 on gifts in the body and chapter 14 on the function of gifts in the gathering of the body. People minister the gifts motivated by love with a desire to bless and strengthen others. 

  3. Identification. Identify with the person you are ministering to.  Ezra, Isaiah, and Daniel were holy, dedicated men of God and yet they identified with their people realizing their own need for God’s grace. (Ezra 9:10; Isaiah 6:5; Daniel 9:5)

  4. Do not be secretive. Cult and occult groups thrive on the excitement of secret formulas, teachings, and rites.  Some matters are confidential and should not feed Christian gossip.  However, some people have a habit of giving private ‘words’ to people with the advice, “Don’t tell the pastor.”

    5. We should have the courage to stand behind our words if we really believe they are from God.  Those who minister the gifts need to be ready to have their ministry rejected or corrected.  Mistakes are embarrassing but also normal if we are going to learn how to move in the Spirit.

  5. If you fail, try again. The fear of failure hinders spiritual growth and the ministr of the gifts of the Spirit.  

Techniques for the operation of the gifts:

  1. Avoid confusion in the believers’ meeting. This is one emphasis of 1 Corinthians 14.  

  2. Don’t interrupt and monopolize.

  3. Control the volume, speed, and tone.

  4. Avoid unnecessary clichés.You don’t need to say, “Thus saith the Lord” to validate your prophetic message.  That expression is old English and Old Testament.  In Acts 21:11 NIV, the prophet said, “The Holy Spirit says”.

  5. Be clear and brief.  Long commentaries and unnecessary details waste time in meetings.

  6. Don’t prophesy words that are not prophecies!

  7. Be cautious with personal prophecies.

Remember:

  1. Spiritual gifts are not a substitute for the Bible and Bible study.  Being focusing on the gifts can minimize the importance of the Bible.

  2. Spiritual gifts are not substitutes for praying and seeking the Lord for ourselves. No one can walk with God by going from one prophecy to the next. Spiritual gifts are helpful but not necessary to know our calling and place in the body. We can serve and make decisions without a special ‘word’.

  3. Giving or receiving the ministry of the gifts does not make us better than others or guarantee our success.

  4. Believing in the gifts does not change our need for godly counsel and body life. Some people receive a prophecy and then will not listen to anyone.  Some people who minister the gifts think they know so much they no longer need others.

  5. Spiritual gifts have nothing to do with fortune telling, magic, or witchcraft.

  6. Spiritual gifts should not be used as a gimmick to draw people to us or to our fellowship group.

  7. Gifts are not used for financial gain.  Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)