The Gift of Prophecy

The Most Discussed Gift

Paul's instruction "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1) elevates prophecy above all other gifts in terms of its value for the gathered church. Yet prophecy is also one of the most debated and most misunderstood of all the gifts.

Prophecy in the New Testament

The New Testament gift of prophecy must be distinguished from Old Testament prophecy. Old Testament prophets spoke with absolute divine authority — "Thus says the Lord" — and their words were binding Scripture. The New Testament gift appears to function differently.

Paul's description of New Testament prophecy: "the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation." (1 Corinthians 14:3). The emphasis is not on prediction or authoritative revelation but on edification of the community.

Significantly, Paul instructs that prophecy must be tested: "let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said." (1 Corinthians 14:29). Old Testament prophecy was not "weighed" — it was authoritative. The call to test and weigh New Testament prophecy suggests it occupies a different level of authority.

Two Positions on the Gift Today

Cessationist: The gift of prophecy — in any form equivalent to the authoritative speech of prophets — ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon. Preaching is the New Testament equivalent of prophetic proclamation.

Continuationist: A gift of prophecy continues today, understood as the Spirit-prompted ability to speak words that encourage, warn, comfort, or direct — not with the authority of Scripture, but as Spirit-prompted speech that must be tested against Scripture.

How to Exercise and Test Prophecy

Whatever one's position on continuationism, the New Testament's testing criteria apply to any claim of Spirit-prompted speech:

• Does it align with Scripture? (Isaiah 8:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• Does it exalt Christ? (1 John 4:2-3)
• Does it produce the biblical fruits of the Spirit rather than pride, fear, or division?
• Is it submitted to the community's discernment rather than asserted as unchallengeable?