Subject: Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? |
Bible Note: continued..................It is a great mistake to suppose that Eph. 2:20 refers to the Old Testament Prophets; and that the Church is built upon them! There is abundant evidence as to the New Testament order of Prophets; and that they were charged with quite a different mission, though they were God's spokesmen: Barnabas (Acts 4:36), Stephen(Acts 6:10,15), Agabus(Acts 11:28,21:10), Silvannus, Silas, and Judas(Acts 15:32), Manaen and Lucius of Cyrene(Acts 13:1), timothy(1Tim 6:11; 2Tim 3:17), the daughters of Philip(Acts 21:9), and others, unnamed(Acts 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6). The Exhortations addressed to and connected with the prophets are also special. "Despise not prophesyings" shows that the word "spirit" int he preceding clause refers to the spiritual gift of prophesying(1Thes 5:20); and "Quench not the spirit" means, Do not stifle or suppress such spiritual gifts in others. Examples of this prophetic power in action and teaching, etc., are seen in Acts 5:4; 13:2; 21:1-14; 1 Cor 14:24,25; 1Tim 1:18; 4:1. Thus the first occurrence of the word "prophet" leads us into all this line of teaching, and shows us that the Preposition (pro,Grk), before, is not used with regard to time, but to manner; not to speaking beforehand, or telling-before, but telling forth. Moreover, we may note there was no place for the ministry of prophets till the priests had failed in their mission, which was to teach the Word of God. When the priests became absorbed in their ritual, then God raised up prophets as His spokesmen. Kindly agree that Malachai is the last prophet. Peace in Faith and Hope, casiv |