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Prophecy in the New Testament

ProphecyintheNewTestamentBarryG.Johnson,Sr./General

DiscoveringtheChurch/Prophecy;Agabus;Agabuspredictsafamine;GiftofProphecy/Acts11:27–30TheNTdescribesthepropheticaspectoftheministryofJesusChrist,andalsorecognisesthatpropheticgiftsaregiventobelieversthroughtheHolySpirit.Itprovidesguidanceonhowsuchpropheticgiftsaretobeused.

I. Jesus Christ Recognized as a Prophet

Mark6:4ESV4AndJesussaidtothem,“Aprophetisnotwithouthonor,exceptinhishometownandamonghisrelativesandinhisownhousehold.”

Mark8:27–28ESV27AndJesuswentonwithhisdisciplestothevillagesofCaesareaPhilippi.Andonthewayheaskedhisdisciples,“WhodopeoplesaythatIam?”

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28Andtheytoldhim,“JohntheBaptist;andotherssay,Elijah;andothers,oneoftheprophets.”

Luke7:16ESV16Fearseizedthemall,andtheyglorifiedGod,saying,“Agreatprophethasarisenamongus!”and“Godhasvisitedhispeople!”

Luke24:17–19ESV17Andhesaidtothem,“Whatisthisconversationthatyouareholdingwitheachotherasyouwalk?”Andtheystoodstill,lookingsad.18Thenoneofthem,namedCleopas,answeredhim,“AreyoutheonlyvisitortoJerusalemwhodoesnotknowthethingsthathavehappenedthereinthesedays?”19Andhesaidtothem,“Whatthings?”Andtheysaidtohim,“ConcerningJesusofNazareth,amanwhowasaprophetmightyindeedandwordbeforeGodandallthepeople,

John4:19ESV19Thewomansaidtohim,“Sir,Iperceivethatyouareaprophet.

II. Prophecy in the Church

A. Prophecy is one among many spiritual gifts

1Corinthians12:28–29ESV28AndGodhasappointedinthechurchfirstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,thenmiracles,thengiftsofhealing,helping,administrating,andvariouskindsoftongues.29Areallapostles?Areallprophets?Areallteachers?Doallworkmiracles?

1Corinthians12:10ESV10toanothertheworkingofmiracles,toanotherprophecy,toanothertheabilitytodistinguishbetweenspirits,toanothervariouskindsoftongues,toanothertheinterpretationoftongues.

B. Not all are called to be prophets

Ephesians4:11ESV11Andhegavetheapostles,theprophets,theevangelists,theshepherdsandteachers,

C. Prophecy is valueless without love

1Corinthians13:1–2ESV

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1IfIspeakinthetonguesofmenandofangels,buthavenotlove,Iamanoisygongoraclangingcymbal.2AndifIhavepropheticpowers,andunderstandallmysteriesandallknowledge,andifIhaveallfaith,soastoremovemountains,buthavenotlove,Iamnothing.

D. Prophecy is for the building up of the church

1Corinthians14:26ESV26Whatthen,brothers?Whenyoucometogether,eachonehasahymn,alesson,arevelation,atongue,oraninterpretation.Letallthingsbedoneforbuildingup.

1Corinthians14:3–5ESV3Ontheotherhand,theonewhoprophesiesspeakstopeoplefortheirupbuildingandencouragementandconsolation.4Theonewhospeaksinatonguebuildsuphimself,buttheonewhoprophesiesbuildsupthechurch.5NowIwantyoualltospeakintongues,butevenmoretoprophesy.Theonewhoprophesiesisgreaterthantheonewhospeaksintongues,unlesssomeoneinterprets,sothatthechurchmaybebuiltup.

1Peter4:10ESV10Aseachhasreceivedagift,useittoserveoneanother,asgoodstewardsofGod’svariedgrace:

E. Prophecy superior to speaking in tongues

1Corinthians14:5ESV5NowIwantyoualltospeakintongues,butevenmoretoprophesy.Theonewhoprophesiesisgreaterthantheonewhospeaksintongues,unlesssomeoneinterprets,sothatthechurchmaybebuiltup.

III. Prophecy in the early church

Acts11:27–28ESV27NowinthesedaysprophetscamedownfromJerusalemtoAntioch.28AndoneofthemnamedAgabusstoodupandforetoldbytheSpiritthattherewouldbeagreatfamineoveralltheworld(thistookplaceinthedaysofClaudius).

Acts15:32ESV

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32AndJudasandSilas,whowerethemselvesprophets,encouragedandstrengthenedthebrotherswithmanywords.

Acts21:9ESV9Hehadfourunmarrieddaughters,whoprophesied.

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Hear - Romans 10:17 (NIV) 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Believe - Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Repent - Acts 17:30 (NIV) 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Confess - 1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV) 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Be Baptized - Acts 2:38 (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Remain Steadfast - Revelation 2:10 (NIV) 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.