The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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2. Prophecy was not intended to be used as a basis for exercising church discipline.<br />
Some have been accused <strong>of</strong> sin and expelled from <strong>the</strong> church on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> a prophetic<br />
utterance, but this practice is wrong. Paul taught that such accusations should not even be<br />
considered without <strong>the</strong> supporting evidence <strong>of</strong> at least two witnesses (I Cor. 13:1; I Tim. 5:19;<br />
see also Mt. 18:15-17).<br />
3. Prophecy was not intended to be a standard means <strong>of</strong> obtaining guidance from <strong>the</strong><br />
Lord. <strong>The</strong> Word <strong>of</strong> God is our guide—illuminated by <strong>the</strong> indwelling <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>, who is to lead us<br />
into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13-15).<br />
4. Prophecy was not intended to be our means <strong>of</strong> interpreting Scripture. Prophetic<br />
utterances are <strong>the</strong>mselves to be judged (I Cor. 14:29). Apart from <strong>the</strong> uniquely inspired canonical<br />
writers, prophets are not divinely authoritative interpreters <strong>of</strong> Scripture. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>y are to be<br />
judged by <strong>the</strong> Scriptures.<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy does not produce infallible utterances. <strong>The</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> infallible<br />
contemporary prophecy has confused many people. Some have considered it sinful to question<br />
what <strong>the</strong>y believe to be <strong>the</strong> voice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>, but such a reaction is wrong. <strong>The</strong> functioning<br />
<strong>of</strong> spiritual gifts involves a cooperation between <strong>the</strong> divine and <strong>the</strong> human. <strong>The</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
human element makes it necessary for us to examine and evaluate or judge <strong>the</strong>se things<br />
(I Cor. 14:29; I <strong>The</strong>ss. 5: 20-21). 11<br />
Example <strong>of</strong> prophecy in <strong>the</strong> New Testament:<br />
Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11 Agabus predicting <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
Acts 19:1-6<br />
<strong>The</strong> twelve disciples <strong>of</strong> John <strong>the</strong> Baptist spoke in tongues and<br />
prophesied<br />
Acts 21:9<br />
Philip’s daughters prophesied.<br />
I Cor. 11:4-5 Both men and women prophesied.<br />
Acts 2:17-18 Peter quotes Joel 2:28-31 predicting that sons and daughters <strong>of</strong><br />
Israel will engage in prophesying.<br />
<strong>Christianity</strong> has stood divided on <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy (and also o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
supernatural gifts) was intended to be a permanent or a temporary gift.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r closely related issue is <strong>the</strong> relationship between <strong>the</strong> functioning <strong>of</strong> New Testament<br />
prophets and that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy. Are all characteristics <strong>of</strong> New Testament prophets<br />
involved in manifestations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy?