The Gift of Prophecy Today: What It Looks Like

The Gift of Prophecy Today: What It Looks Like

As Christians, we believe that God speaks to us today through His Word and through His Spirit. The gift of prophecy is one of the ways that God speaks to His people through His Spirit. But what does the gift of prophecy look like today?

Defining Prophecy

Before we discuss what the gift of prophecy looks like today, it’s important to define what we mean by “prophecy.” In the Bible, prophecy is not primarily about predicting the future. Rather, prophecy is the proclamation of God’s truth to His people. This can include predictions about the future, but it can also include exhortation, encouragement, and correction.

Prophecy is closely related to preaching. In fact, in the New Testament, the Greek word for “preach” (kērussō) is sometimes translated as “prophesy” (Acts 2:17–18; 1 Cor. 14:1, 3, 24–25). Both preaching and prophecy involve proclaiming the truth of God’s Word to His people.

The Gift of Prophecy Today

Some Christians believe that the gift of prophecy ceased with the completion of the New Testament. However, others believe that the gift of prophecy continues in the church today. Those who hold this view believe that prophecy is a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit gives to believers to help them discern God’s will and speak His truth to His people.

Those who believe in the continuation of the gift of prophecy today emphasize that prophecy is always subordinate to the authority of Scripture. In other words, prophecy never adds to or contradicts the Bible. Rather, the gift of prophecy is a way that God can apply the truths of Scripture to our lives in fresh and relevant ways.

What Does Prophecy Look Like Today?

So, what does the gift of prophecy look like in practice? Here are some ways that the gift of prophecy might be exercised today:

1. Personal Prophecy

One way that the gift of prophecy might be exercised is through personal prophecy. This is when someone receives a message from God for another person. The message might be a word of encouragement, exhortation, or correction. It might also include a prediction about the future.

It’s important to note that personal prophecy should always be tested to ensure that it is in line with Scripture. The Bible tells us to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). If a personal prophecy contradicts the Bible, it should be rejected.

2. Corporate Prophecy

Another way that the gift of prophecy might be exercised is through corporate prophecy. This is when someone receives a message from God for the entire church. The message might be a call to repentance, a word of encouragement, or a prediction about the future.

Corporate prophecy should also be tested to ensure that it is in line with Scripture. The Bible tells us that “two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh what is said” (1 Corinthians 14:29). In other words, the church should discern whether the prophecy is truly from God.

3. Prophetic Prayer

Prophetic prayer is when someone prays for another person and receives a message from God for that person. The message might be a word of encouragement, exhortation, or correction. Prophetic prayer is similar to personal prophecy, but it is expressed in the context of prayer.

As with personal prophecy and corporate prophecy, prophetic prayer should always be tested to ensure that it is in line with Scripture.

4. Prophetic Preaching

Prophetic preaching is when a preacher delivers a message under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The message might be a word of encouragement, exhortation, or correction. Prophetic preaching is similar to prophecy in that it involves proclaiming God’s truth to His people.

Prophetic preaching should always be grounded in Scripture. The preacher should be careful to accurately interpret and apply the biblical text, while also allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them in their delivery of the message.

Conclusion

The gift of prophecy is one of the ways that God speaks to His people through His Spirit. While there is debate among Christians about whether the gift of prophecy continues in the church today, those who believe in its continuation emphasize that it is always subordinate to the authority of Scripture.

Whether through personal prophecy, corporate prophecy, prophetic prayer, or prophetic preaching, the gift of prophecy is a way that God can apply the truths of Scripture to our lives in fresh and relevant ways. As we seek to discern God’s will and speak His truth to His people, let us always test everything against the standard of God’s Word.

References:

• Acts 2:17–18


• 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 24–25


• 1 Thessalonians 5:21


• 1 Corinthians 14:29