“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”
Ephesians 4:11-13
As a committed theological continualist, I consider the above passage to be one of the clearest texts presenting the ongoing ministry of the prophet. It is not possible, nor is it the purpose of this post, to elaborate on the similarities and dissimilarities between the Old Testament prophets and the place of New Testament prophetic utterances. The truth is a number of OT activities transitioned at the Cross of Christ while a number of things remained the same. That is called a “continuity and discontinuity” discussion or debate amongst students of the Bible. There are plenty of books and online articles for the interested student to study ad infinitum.
So, while affirming a role for New Testament prophecy and prophets, I also understand the confusion and disappointment many have posted concerning the inaccuracies of the prophecies related to this election cycle. My view is simple and direct. No matter how you define the role and abilities of New Testament ministries and specifically prophets, the bottom line of integrity is simply, “If you were wrong, admit it, apologize, repent, and make the appropriate course corrections for the future.” This shouldn’t be a controversial debate. This simple act of integrity would be applied to all sorts of ministry activity.
If you gave someone bad counsel as a pastor, admit it, apologize, repent, and make your course corrections…
If you preached, as an evangelist, an imprecise or theologically questionable point in a message, admit it, apologize, repent, and make your course corrections…
If as a teacher you taught an unorthodox doctrine, admit it, apologize, repent, and make your course corrections…
And might I suggest that sometimes these moments happen with great sincerity and passion. Sometimes this is due to ignorance, lack of training, and other times zealousness. The intent by the minister, however, was never a willful strategy to destroy or deceive the listener. The fact is that all FIVE ministry offices listed above have and will operate with human imprecision. There is no way avoiding that possibility. Which is why the Bible is clear on how we receive ministry and input from earthly ministers.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 11:14
“Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
Proverbs 15:22
“For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 14:6
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
I John 4:1
The point is this…
I cannot control what other people may teach, speak, or prophesy; but I can control what I receive and the process I take it through to determine its credibility and authority in my life.
I have reconciled the thought in my mind that when a pastor preaches (assuming from the Bible) from the pulpit, he is at that moment speaking for God. That is an awesome, humbling, and serious moment. That is why preaching should not be done flippantly. That said, I understand there is a human element to the preaching moment. In other words, not everything that comes out of the preacher’s mouth may reach the height of scriptural inerrancy except Scripture itself. Yet, we believe that he is expounding upon God’s Word and God’s thoughts yet maintain some internal space to allow for human imprecision.
I am as frustrated over the presumption of many prophetic voices and declarations this election cycle as many of the most cynical detractors and non-believers. The prophetic “movement” needed a humbling and some course corrections. For me personally, however, I can throw out the chaff and retain the meat of all the ministry offices. I refuse to throw babies out with the bath water.
How do I do that?
I keep my head in God’s Word (that’s the Bible).
The Scripture is always the final measuring stick to any “words” or sermon someone declares.
I listen to the trusted voices of ministry in the larger Body of Christ.
Jesus never said to check my brain out at the door of the sanctuary. Rather He said I was to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all YOUR MIND.” (Matthew 22:37)
The Lord is sifting His Church at deep and profound levels. Before this is over, many of us may find ourselves repenting over things we never considered. It is an hour for greater humility and meekness. Let’s refocus ourselves on the sufficiency of Scripture and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to quicken its truth in our spirits to obey God fearlessly in the days ahead.
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