Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

The Transition from Old to New

that although the basic definitions of prophet and prophecy remain con stant, new factors influence the contemporary message of God to His peo ple.Clifford Hill identifies the difference for us: "The concept of prophecy in the New Testament is identical with that of the major prophets of Israel under the old covenant....When we come to the function of prophecy, however, there is a major difference...." 2 There has always been discussion concerning the possible differences between the Old Testament prophets themselves,3 or the contrast between Old and New Testament prophets,4 and now the considerations of prophetic activity in modern times. 5 A simple schematic of this continu ity, which also illustrates the theme of this book, would be:

Figure 1, Hebrew Prophecy____.. NT Prophecy____.. Today's Prophecy

Reasons for a Difference

Six concepts are discussed in the following section that contrast Old and New Testament prophecy.A chart at the end of the chapter gives a good summary of the differences. • The new era brings prophetic changes. • The Holy Spirit is now an abiding presence in every Christian believer. • The Hebrew religion has been exchanged for a multiethnic Church led by the Spirit of God. • The ancient ministries of the prophets, priests and kings have now passed into the lives of ordinary people. • A new leadership structure allows prophetic ministry to be more practical and functional. • Limitations were placed on both Old and New Testament prophets.

Let's look at each of these concepts in turn.

The New Era Brings Prophetic Changes

Jesus Christ brought to an end "both the message and the prophetic ministry as it was practiced in the Old Testament." 6 New Testament prophecy is functionally different because we have a New Covenant that ■ 144