Does prophecy happen today?
Prophecy and it’s fulfilment reveals God, His power and His love in the most wonderful way. Looking back we can trace God’s predictions through the Bible across millennia and marvel at the precision with which they have been fulfilled. This leads us to look forward to the prophecies which have yet to be fulfilled, primarily those concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly there has never been a shortage of unbiblical predictions that contradict Scripture and still manage to find a large and willing audience on social and other forms of media. What does the Bible teach about prophecy and how are we to understand it’s place now? Thankfully, by God’s grace the answer is in God’s Word, especially in the letter to the Corinthians.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 ESV Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2] For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3] On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. [4] The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. [5] Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Bible Study Questions
It’s not just the New Testament that has the answers to questions about the gift of prophecy. Peter quotes the Old Testament prophet Joel as he explains the working of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. What does Joel say about Prophecy in the last days that we are living in? (Acts 2:16-21)
Have the days of prophecy passed away with the Apostles of Jesus? What does the the Holy Spirit say through Paul about when prophecies will cease? (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Has perfection come? Do we “see face to face” and do “we know, even as we are known”?
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 describes the gift of prophecy. What is it and what role does it play? How is the gift of tongues contrasted to the gift of prophecy in these verses?
What does Scripture teach about who can prophesy and speak in tongues. Can everyone learn or claim these gifts as is widely taught and believed today? (Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
What gifts or graces of the Holy Spirit are a more excellent way and will outlast prophecy and tongues (1 Corinthians 13:13)
With all the abuse and misunderstanding about gifts of the Holy Spirit like tongues and prophecy, shouldn’t we just avoid the practice of these gifts in the Church? ( 1 Corinthians 14:39-40)
How are we instructed to ensure that things are done decently and in order when it comes to the gifts of prophecy and tongues in our Church services? (1 Corinthians 14:26-30). Why does Paul give these restrictions? (1 Corinthians 14:23, 31-33)
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your great power and wisdom and thank You for the Church, the bride of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for His life given to save ours and for the gift of the Holy Spirit given to build up and bless the Church as it works to glorify You. Please forgive us when we neglect the Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings to empower us for witness. Please also forgive us when we have abused the gifts or used them in ways that do not accord with Your Holy Word. Father please equip Your Church with all the power and blessings of Your Holy Spirit so that we can worship You in Spirit and in truth and witness to Your wonderful power and grace, and please keep adding to Your Church those who are being saved, In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Of all the Spirit's gifts to me,
I pray that I may never cease
to take and treasure most these three:
love, joy, and peace.
The Spirit shows me love's the root
of every gift sent from above,
of every flower, of every fruit,
that God is love.
The Spirit shows if I possess
a love no evil can destroy;
however great is my distress,
then this is joy.
Though what's ahead is mystery,
and life itself is ours on lease,
each day the Spirit says to me,
"Go forth in peace!"
We go in peace, but made aware that,
in a needy world like this,
our clearest purpose is to share
love, joy, and peace.
Service
Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians to answer their questions relating to the difficulties they were facing as a church. We’ve focused on the difficulties concerning the gift of tongues and prophecy. What were the people essentially doing wrong? What does 1 Corinthians 13 provide as the solution to these issues and how can we as a Church serve God and each other in obedience to chapter 13 in particular.