The concept of prophecy has captivated hearts and minds for millennia. From ancient prophets delivering pronouncements to modern claims of divine messages, it’s a topic steeped in mystery, faith, and sometimes, controversy. So, what is prophecy in the Bible, really? And is it something that still happens in the world around us? Can people still prophesy today, or was that a gift confined solely to biblical times?
Let’s embark on a journey to explore the nature of biblical prophecy, its historical context, and the fascinating question of its continuation in the modern era.
What is Prophecy in the Bible?
At its core, what is prophecy in the Bible refers to a divine communication from God to humanity, typically delivered through a chosen individual known as a prophet. It wasn’t just about predicting the future, although that was certainly a significant element.
Definition and Purpose of Biblical Prophecy
More broadly, what is prophecy in the Bible encompasses both fore-telling (predicting future events) and forth-telling (speaking God’s truth into a present situation). Prophets served as God’s messengers, calling people to repentance, offering comfort, revealing God’s plans, and providing guidance for individuals and nations. The purpose was always to bring people closer to God and align them with His will.
Examples of Prophecy in the Old Testament
The Old Testament is rich with examples illustrating what is prophecy in the Bible. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel delivered powerful messages of judgment against sin and glorious promises of restoration and the coming Messiah. Think of Isaiah’s detailed prophecies about Jesus or Jeremiah’s warnings to Judah. These weren’t just random predictions; they were specific, divinely inspired messages relevant to their time and future generations.
Examples of Prophecy in the New Testament
Prophecy didn’t cease with the close of the Old Testament. The New Testament also shows what is prophecy in the Bible in action. John the Baptist prophesied the coming of Jesus, Jesus Himself prophesied about the destruction of the temple and His own death and resurrection, and the Apostle John received the extensive prophecies recorded in the Book of Revelation. The early church also experienced the gift of prophecy as mentioned in Acts and Paul’s letters.
Different Types of Prophecy in the Bible
Understanding what is prophecy in the Bible involves recognizing its various forms. While predicting the future is the most commonly thought-of type, it’s not the only one.
Foretelling vs. Forth-telling in Prophecy
As mentioned earlier, the distinction between foretelling and forth-telling is crucial to grasp what is prophecy in the Bible. Foretelling involves predicting future events (e.g., Jesus’ birth, the destruction of Jerusalem). Forth-telling involves speaking God’s truth, often challenging injustice, encouraging righteousness, or offering comfort in a present context (e.g., challenging a king’s actions, speaking a word of encouragement to a struggling believer). Both are valid expressions of the prophetic gift.
Prophecy in the Early Church
The New Testament, particularly in books like 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, discusses the gift of prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit. In the early church, what is prophecy in the Bible was often exercised in community settings, such as church gatherings, for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). It played a vital role in building up the body of Christ.
Can People Still Prophesy Today?
This is perhaps the most debated question surrounding what is prophecy in the Bible. Does this direct divine communication still happen in the same way it did for biblical prophets or in the early church?
Arguments for Cessationism
Some Christians hold a view called cessationism, which argues that certain miraculous gifts, including prophecy, ceased with the completion of the Bible and the death of the apostles. They believe that the primary purpose of these gifts was to authenticate the message of the apostles and the truth of Scripture during the foundational period of the church. If you ask a cessationist “Can people still prophesy today?”, their answer would generally be no, at least not in the same infallible, authoritative sense as biblical prophets.
Arguments for Continuationism
In contrast, continuationists believe that all the spiritual gifts, including prophecy, continue to be available and active in the church today. They point to biblical passages that speak of the gifts operating until Christ’s return (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13:8-10) and see evidence of contemporary prophecy in various forms within Christian communities worldwide. For a continuationist, the answer to “Can people still prophesy today?” is a resounding yes.
Modern Examples and Discernment
In practice, claims of prophecy today vary widely. Some involve specific predictions, while others are more akin to a strong sense of God’s leading or a spoken word of encouragement or challenge that resonates deeply and aligns with biblical truth. Because not every claim is genuinely from God, the ability to discern is absolutely critical.
How to Discern True Prophecy
Regardless of one’s stance on whether what is prophecy in the Bible is still active today, the Bible provides clear tests for evaluating any claim of prophecy, ancient or modern.
Biblical Tests for Prophecy
The most important test is alignment with Scripture. Does the message contradict anything in the Bible? Deuteronomy 18:21-22 also gives a test for predictive prophecy: if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the word does not come to pass, it is not from the Lord. Furthermore, does the prophecy lead people closer to God and encourage obedience to His word?
The Role of the Community in Discernment
1 Corinthians 14:29 states, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” This highlights the importance of community discernment. Prophetic words should be tested and evaluated by mature believers who are grounded in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit. It’s not meant to be a solitary or unchecked phenomenon.
Living in Light of Prophecy
Understanding what is prophecy in the Bible and considering whether can people still prophesy today has practical implications for our faith journey.
Why Does This Matter Today?
Engaging with the topic of prophecy encourages us to listen for God’s voice, whether primarily through Scripture, through the wisdom of godly counsel, or potentially through contemporary prophetic expressions that align with truth. It reminds us that God is active and communicates with His people.
Actionable Takeaways
- Ground yourself in Scripture: The Bible is our ultimate standard for evaluating any claim of divine communication.
- Develop discernment: Pray for wisdom and the ability to test spirits and messages.
- Engage with your faith community: Discuss and weigh potential prophetic words together.
- Stay humble and open: Approach claims of prophecy with both caution and a willingness to consider if God might still be speaking.
Conclusion
So, what is prophecy in the Bible? It is a powerful form of divine communication, central to God’s relationship with humanity throughout history. While views differ on whether can people still prophesy today in the same way, the biblical principles for testing and discerning prophetic messages remain timeless and essential. Whether God speaks to you primarily through the pages of Scripture or through other means that align with His Word, the goal is always the same: to draw you closer to Him and align your life with His eternal truth.
