NO CONTINUATION OF PROPHETS IN TODAY'S CHURCH AGE
By: Victor T. Stephens
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
~ George R.R. Martin
THE NEW PROPHECY: THEN AND NOW
In the late second century, the early church confronted a heretical prophetic movement known by its adherents as the "New Prophecy" or "Montanism." The early church rejected Montanism because it diverged significantly from the biblical examples of Old Testament and New Testament prophecy and prophets. However, the rejection of Montanism was not without opposition. The church grappled for many years to check the growing number of supporters of this "New Prophecy."
Today, parallels have been etched between Montanism and Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, the New Apostolic Reformation, and the Vineyard-affiliated groups. These denominations essentially contend that prophetic gifts are functional today as they were during the early church.
TWO FORMS OF PROPHECY?
Some non-cessationists argue that there are two forms of prophecy. The first type is "authoritative apostolic prophecy." This form of prophecy is the inspired words spoken by the Apostles. Their gifts were identical to those of the prophets in the Old Testament, and thus they are considered the true successors to the Old Testament prophets. They functioned as a voice for God and thus were infallible.
The second type of prophecy is commonly known as non-authoritative "congregational prophecy." Congregational prophecy is unscripturated revelation from New Testament prophets that began at Pentecost and has continued throughout the church age. This form of prophecy functions when the congregation is assembled. When operating on a personal level, it is known as "personal prophecy."
Allegedly, this gift is distinct from the gift of prophecy exercised by Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. These prophets would speak in their own words what God would spontaneously impress upon their minds. This form of prophecy may be to encourage, edify, exhort, comfort, and, in some cases, may be predictive.
Unlike Old Testament and apostolic prophecy, non-authoritative congregational prophecy eludes the stringent requirements of testing prophets that were implemented in the Book of Deuteronomy. Thus, this type of prophecy does not have the same authority as the words of God; and thus, is fallible. To put it another way, this form of prophecy is contingent on revelation from the Holy Spirit, but during deliverance, the New Testament prophet could interpret it insufficiently and/or incorrectly. Therefore, concessions are made to the prophet for being in error. In the words of C. Samuels Storms, he states:
"The key is in recognizing that with every prophecy there are four elements, only one of which is assuredly of God: There is the revelation itself; there is the perception or reception of that revelation by the believer; there is the interpretation of what has been disclosed or the attempt to ascertain its meaning; and there is the application of that interpretation. God alone is responsible for the revelation. (...) It is infallible as he is. It contains no falsehoods (...) Error enters in when the human recipient of a revelation misperceives, misinterprets and/or misapplies what God has disclosed. The fact that God has spoken perfectly does not mean that human beings have heard perfectly." (C. Samuel Storms, "A Third Wave View", in “Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?”, Pages 207-208)
REFUTING TODAY’S NEW PROPHECY
The non-cessationists' proposed idea that there are two forms of prophecy has a multitude of ecclesiological weaknesses.
Firstly, let's momentarily accept the non-cessationists' position. Now, conjuring up a class of prophecy that can embrace truth and erroneous information produces an arduous means for the church to expose and refute false prophets.
Secondly, this theory furnishes no measurable and authentic basis by which a person can be cognizant of whether he is hearing from God or a satanic source. Satan's primary deceptive tactic is mixing error with truth.
"For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
Thirdly, this theory creates opportunities for false Christians to prey on other people's emotions for selfish gain.
Fourth, and again, momentarily accepting the non-cessationists' position, to allege New Testament prophecy is fallible is in effect to allege that we now have an inferior and lower status form of prophecy as compared to Old Testament prophecy. Do we not live under a better covenant? Let's now explore this further.
Contrary to the claims of many non-cessationists, there is only one kind of prophecy in the New Testament, and it is commensurate with prophecy in the Old Testament. New Testament prophecy is an infallible and authoritative revelation from God. Whenever God spoke in past times, He never had others utter anything but His very own words. Deuteronomy 18:18-19 says:
"I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name." (Deut. 18:18-19)
As shown from this passage, the prophetic message from a prophet represented God's own words, which at all times declared precisely what He was proposing to convey. What was true of God's revelations spoken through Old Testament prophets was also true of the Father's words spoken by Jesus.
"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." (John 12:49-50)
As we see, the words spoken by Jesus to His audience were the very words of the Father. Likewise, the words that God spoke to and through the apostles and New Testament prophets were His very words. Jesus said in John 14:26:
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)
Jesus repeats in John 16:13-14,
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you." (John 16:13-14)
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:10:
"...these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."
(1 Cor. 2:10)
It should be evident that the words spoken to and through the apostles and prophets represented the very words of God and, thus, were completely accurate. The idea that a prophet could insufficiently interpret God's intentions and speak an imperfect message is crudely foreign.
