*This is a series of posts which might be of benefit for the first time reader to begin at the “Introduction” for continuity sake. We are still spring boarding off part 1, dealing with Jesus’ and the religious leaders misconception concerning prophets in Luke 7:39.
Prophets are a misunderstood lot.
It has always been that way, albeit to varying degrees, all through the Bible. It is still true to this very day. Prophets come in all shapes and sizes, personalities and quirks, and even assignments and purposes. No two prophets are exactly the same. Our problem as 21st century interpreters of such people, is that we like to make things static and concrete. It is easier to evaluate and judge people when any aspect of divinely ordained uniqueness or human subjectivity is removed. Isaiah was not the same as Ezekiel in forms of ministry or personality, yet both are prophets. Jeremiah was different than John the Baptist, yet both stood in this office. So, untangling misconceptions starts with the human element. Even Jesus was misunderstood as the Messiah because He arrived as a Servant-King. People rejected Him because He didn’t live up to their self-generated, preconceived notions of what messiah’s should look like. We need to keep this in mind as we work through prophetic ministry. I have found that if a misconception exists long enough, it is presumed to be accepted doctrine. Religious misconceptions do not die easily. In fact, they often die kicking and screaming “heresy”. However, we need to challenge old notions and preconceived ideas, especially if the Bible leads us in another direction.
There are several interpretive categories that have arisen when it comes to prophets:
- They no longer exist.
- They are redefined and assigned.
- They are conflated with currently accepted ministry offices.
- They were transformed through the Cross, Resurrection and Ascension.
Allow me to offer a short story of my life. I was initially trained in a theological system which had various representations of the first three categories. For some of my colleagues, it was a non-issue because prophets as we see them in the Bible simply didn’t exist any more. For others, they were thought to be the “fire and brimstone preachers” who dangled people over wrath and hell. Still others conflated traveling revivalists or evangelists as the modern day equivalent of the prophets. But I’m convinced the office is defined through understanding the reality and victory Christ provided through His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. The question becomes, how did the office transfer through the reality of the Jesus’ provision from the Old Testament into the New Testament? This will be a key in understanding how the prophetic office appears to us today.
There is an area of theological study which is often referred to as “Continuity – Discontinuity” issues. In theology, continuity refers to the unbroken connection and consistent themes in God’s plan across biblical history, while discontinuity highlights the new stages or distinct breaks that occur, particularly between the Old and New Testaments. Let me give you an example:
The sacrificial system “discontinued” after the finality of Christ’s atonement. We no longer sacrifice animals because Christ was the perfect Lamb sacrificed once and for all.
Continuity might best be illustrated by the concept of “elders” or personal worship practices which are found initially in the Old Testament, but reflected in the New Testament as well. The saying, “We didn’t switch God’s at the Cross”, is sometimes helpful to understanding how certain aspects of our relationship with God is maintained continually.
So, the question arises, “How do prophets transition through the testaments?” I will suggest the following:
- In the Old Testament, the prophet was the singular mouthpiece of God. In the New Testament, all believers have a relationship with God and can hear Him speaking to them personally, as well as through the Scriptures. Therefore, prophecy is primarily used as a confirmation of what is already heard through their relationship with Him. The “word” brings clarity, confidence, and empowerment to the person’s journey.
- In the Old Testament, the prophet primarily addressed a person’s or people’s sin and then spoke warning, judgment, and correction. Promise was available through the people’s adherence to the prophet’s voice. In the New Testament, the prophet speaks God’s heart with regard to a person’s potential, purpose, and promise. It is redemptive and reflects the heart of Jesus (Rev. 19:10). It strengthens, encourages, and comforts far more than corrects.
- In the Old Testament, the prophet would stand alone without being questioned as to the word being “from the Lord”. In the New Testament, the prophet is never a “stand-alone” ministry, but is a part of a team of voices subject to local authority in the Church (Eph. 4:11-16).
- In the Old Testament, the prophet spoke the inspired, authoritative Word of the Lord. In other words, it carried the force of Scripture. In the New Testament, both the spirit and the word of the prophet can be evaluated and judged (I Cor. 14:29, 32; I Thess. 5:21). The prophetic word, while obviously should be taken seriously, does not carry the same force of inspired Scripture.
As you can readily see, the office of prophet experienced some transformational impact from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It isn’t expressed in exactly the same way. This will become an important feature of understanding as we begin to explore their authority, accuracy, assignment and anointing within our contemporary context and New Testament order.
Stay tuned…
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