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PENTECOST CAME, WHAT NOW ?

Everything changes when we meet/see Jesus. He was only a promise until Pentecost, but now abides in a new creation, all those born from above. It is in this light and liberty that we address the issue of “New Testament Prophets and Prophecy.” (We are attempting to briefly make two distinctions—one, between administrations of old covenant and New Testament prophets, and two, between the operations of prophets and the functions of gifts of prophecy).

We do so with a desire to see true prophets set free from old concepts and limitations so that they may flow in the fullness of their new testament power and purpose within the body of Christ.  Also, we want to see all believers entering boldly into the Holy of Holies for themselves, no longer living from prophecy to prophecy in co-dependency upon others for a “word” from the Lord.

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Twentieth Century Background

In the past our understanding was that there are pastors and there are evangelists.  Pastors like to stay home; evangelists like to travel.  Teachers began to emerge following the initiation of the Jesus and charismatic movements.  People travelled long distances, equipped with their Bibles, notebooks, pens and tape recorders.  Yet, apostles and prophets were still relegated to the first century by our dispensational upbringing.

The hunger to learn grew into a hunger to hear from God—not directly, but through prophets who would go up the mountain for us, and come back to tell us what God had said. This hunger created a marketplace for prophets and that continues to expand today.  Many prophets began to organize into various camps and structures, fitting in with prevailing church models, and requiring significant finances to meet their growing institutional needs. This is understandable as new revelation and understanding is unfolding the process is always growing to maturity so that Christ is revealed, but maturity demands conformity to His image and ways and for us to lay down our thoughts and opinions as to the way of living. I am always reminded of the words “Don’t be critical toward the body of Christ for they are not wrong but just incomplete, exactly as you  are today”

We as the body of Christ face two significant challenges.  One is setting free the institutionalized prophetic movements, and the other is the deliverance of rank-and-file believers who have been trained by them in practices that—in a large measure—fail to give Jesus Christ His rightful place in their lives.

Emerging Apostolic Ministry

To this day, the church is evidencing fruit of teaching and prophetic ministries.  Core values and order of true apostolicity are still absent from most cities and regions.   Most of what we see is apostolic apologetics by teachers, and another layer of hierarchy placed upon institutional settings.  We are beginning to see the emerging apostolic grace (1Corinthians 3:10; 15:10) of master builders who manifest humility and servitude, and bring true reformation to the church that Jesus is building.

Many disjointed body parts and fractured units are spread across the face of the earth, much like what Ezekiel saw in the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Just before seeing this vision, Ezekiel prophesied: “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land”(Ezekiel 36:24). (Revelation 5:10 greatly expands our understanding of the fuller ramifications of this prophecy, allowing us to see beyond the confines of one nationality of people.)

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them”(Ezekiel 36:26-27).

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, forty days after Jesus’ resurrection and ten days after His ascension, thus forever changing the manner in which God engages His people. (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2).

The New Order

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Just prior to penning these words, Paul wrote: Be diligent to present yourself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

When we get it right in Christ Jesus,

• We will encourage each believer to seek His own relationship with our Father.
• We will discourage co-dependent relationships between leaders and followers.
• We will serve one another in the discovery and implementation of graces and charismas.
• We will not exalt people or gifts beyond their measure.

This is a new creation.  There is a new order.

The Epistle to the Hebrews, along with Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, are two key contributions to rightly dividing, and understanding the new creation order.  Here is the key that opens the panorama of a new creation:

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. (Hebrews 1:1a)

• God spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.

• God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.

God’s new order for His new creation is to speak directly to His sons through His Son.  Not until this order is embraced will we have clear understanding of our various roles.  Not until apostles, prophets, and teachers are rightly aligned with one another will we be positioned to see the fruition of God’s intention.

We can learn from the accounts and testimonies of those who came before us. (1 Corinthians 10:11) Their legitimacy is not on trial. Jesus identified John the Baptist as the greatest among old covenant prophets: ”Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)

But now, God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:27) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

 

New Testament Prophets

God is no longer speaking to the fathers through the prophets.  He speaks directly to His sons by His Son. An example of New Testament prophets:

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.  Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each one according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.  This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30).

It is notable that:

• New Testament prophets are sometimes used by God to speak words to the church that predict, adjust and/or correct.

• A significant difference within the new testament is: “let the others judge,” (1 Cor14 : 29) which rightly places ultimate responsibility on every Spirit-led son to discern.  Thus, erring prophets are no longer stoned to death as within the old covenant, when people had no internal witness within themselves.

• These prophets were received because of relational trust among leaders ofJerusalemand leaders ofAntioch.

• They travelled in a team—no lone rangers.

• The disciples inAntiochwere moved with the internal “Amen” of  the Spirit, and freely responded according to their ability.

In addition to the prophetic team from Jerusalem, there are at least two more Scriptures that point out, prophets were parts of and accountable to local congregations:

• Certain prophets and teachers who were abiding together in the church atAntiochwere involved in the process of separating Barnabas and Saul, and sending them out in obedience to the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

In his attempt to set order within the assembly that was at Corinth, Paul said: “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29).  This context clearly places prophets “among” the local body of believers.

Prophets are set in the body next to the apostles to partner with them in what is foundational for all that the church is and does (Ephesians 2:20). In partnership with the master builders (Matured in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and in relation to and with the body of Christ), (1 Corinthians 3:10) they guide the building together of living stones into a suitable habitation for God (1 Peter 2:5).This is a much greater challenge than, “Thus says the Lord.”  This requires an uncommon grace from an unlimited God.

Prophets also equip the church to be prophetic. Prior to Pentecost, prophets spoke to the people (primarily the fathers), but were not integrally connected.  Now prophets, like each of us, are placed as parts of the relational integrity of the body of Christ.

Gifts of Prophecy

I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. You can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:5a, 31). May we all be encouraged to respond to the prompting of the Spirit of Christ in us  (the hope of glory) to encourage, exhort, and comfort one another.

Yes, God is speaking in this age by His Son. That changes everything!  It’s a new and living way!

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:19-23).

In the following chapter, the writer of Hebrews went to some detail identifying historical examples of faith—those who served God within the framework of various covenants, each with its own purpose in God’s economy.  The writer concludes the listing of faithful men and women with this observation:

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us (Hebrews 11:39-40). When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because we are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:4-6).

Is that your cry?  It is mine.  Let’s not settle for previous administrations.  The Holy Spirit who came upon the prophets of old has taken up permanent residence in us.  He abides in us, and invites us to abide in Him.

Summary

• The faithful under all covenants obtain/obtained a good testimony.

• Their legitimacy is not being questioned.

• No one received the promise prior to Pentecost.

• Receiving the promise changes how God interacts with His people.

• All of the new creation has immediate access into the Holy of Holies.

• All believers may prophesy to either creation.

• Prophets are to release the prophetic to the body of Christ.

• Prophets, along with apostles, are foundational to new creation order.