The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms

Author:Sam Storms [Storms, Sam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Life, Faith, Non-Fiction, Religion, Spirituality, Theology
ISBN: 9781441267214
Google: wJitBAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00LA9LYZU
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 2013-03-18T00:00:00+00:00

Where Does Prophecy Come From?

All prophecy is based on revelation. In 1 Corinthians 14:30, Paul wrote, “If a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent” (emphasis added; see also v. 26). In 13:2 Paul seems to suggest that prophecies are based on the reception of divine “mysteries.” The verb “to reveal” (apokalupto) occurs 26 times in the New Testament, and the noun “revelation” occurs 18 times. In every instance the reference is to divine activity, never to human communication.

Prophecy is not based on a hunch, a supposition, an inference, an educated guess or even on sanctified wisdom. Prophecy is not based on personal insight, intuition or illumination. Prophecy is the human report of a divine revelation. This is what distinguishes prophecy from teaching. Teaching is always based on a text of Scripture. Prophecy is always based on a spontaneous revelation.

Although rooted in revelation, prophecy is occasionally fallible. I know what you’re thinking: “How can God reveal something that contains error? How can God, who is infallible, reveal something that is fallible?” The answer is simple: He can’t. He doesn’t.

We must remember that every prophecy has three elements, only one of which is assuredly of God. First, there is the revelation itself, the divine act of disclosure to a human recipient. The second element is the interpretation of what has been disclosed, or the attempt to ascertain its meaning. Third, there is the application of that interpretation. God is alone responsible for the revelation. Whatever he discloses to the human mind is wholly free from error. It is as infallible as God is. It is true in all its parts, completely devoid of falsehood. Indeed, the revelation, which is the root of every genuine prophetic utterance, is as inerrant and infallible as the written Word of God itself (the Bible).

The problem is that you might misinterpret or misapply what God has disclosed. The fact that God has spoken perfectly doesn’t mean that you have heard perfectly. It is possible for a person to interpret and apply, without error, what God has revealed. But the mere existence of a divine revelation does not in itself guarantee that the interpretation or application of God’s revealed truth will share in its perfection.

This is especially troubling to some and has led them to conclude that New Testament prophecy is of no benefit to the church. After all, how can a gift that is potentially fallible be a blessing to anyone? A comparison of prophecy with the gift of teaching should put your fears to rest.

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