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

Comparing Prophecy in Both Testaments

was a messenger, one sent to speak on God's behalf, and the Greek word apostolos conveys the same thought. The task of writing the inspired Scriptures shifted from the Old Testa ment prophets to the New Testament apostles. This is borne out by 2 Peter 3:2: "Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets [Old Testament spokesmen], and of the commandment of us the apostles [New Testament spokesmen] of the Lord and Savior" (NKJV). In the New Testament the apostles were never specifically called prophets. Jesus did say, however, that He would send [the verb form of apostle!] prophets: "Therefore, behold, I am sending [ apostello] you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and cru cify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and perse cute from city to city" (Matthew 23:34). The position of prophet was not depreciated but rather enhanced as it was blended with four other leadership ministries to provide broader cov erage of service and more loving and suitable outreach. Ephesians 4:11-13 summarizes the new plan: "[God] gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Nrv). The New Testament prophet is no longer the primary spokesman for God; still, this ministry is not to be silenced. The prophets of the early churches lived and served as one of the people, members of one Church, fellow believers with one Head-certainly not accorded superstar status! The great burden of being God's only voice (the feeling of the Hebrew prophet) is relieved by the presence of others who can both prophesy and, when needed, give loving evaluation. The ministry of the prophet now comes into its highest use as some perform traveling ministry and others function as local church members. Pastor Mike Bickle gives this practical insight: "Prophetic ministers are validated by their involvement in and with the local church, not by their separateness. The church becomes evan gelistic through its evangelists, caring through its pastors, serving through its deacons and prophetic through its prophets. Prophetic ministers serve within the church to help it fulfill its function." 24 Each of the classical prophets of the Old Testament was far more than a prophet. Each was "a spiritual leader of the times." 25 In a sense these important prophetic leaders of ancient times were the counterparts of the fivefold New Testament leadership ministry: apostles, prophets, evangel ists, pastors and teachers. The new order required the creation of new ministry and function. The apostles became the leaders and spokesmen 151 •