Are There Prophets In The Church Today?

Are there prophets in the church today? The gift of prophet (Ephesians 4:11) seems to have been a temporary gift given by Christ for the laying of the foundation of the church. However, the first thing we notice from Paul is that there are prophets in the church today. Recorded in Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul mentions the prophet’s office in the church, and the gift of prophecy is mentioned more than any of the other spiritual gifts.

The Role of Prophets in the New Testament

In the New Testament, prophets were individuals who were chosen by God to deliver messages to His people. Prophets were foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20). The prophet proclaimed a message from the Lord to the early believers. Sometimes a prophet’s message was revelatory (new revelation and truth from God) and sometimes a prophet’s message was predictive (see Acts 11:28 and 21:10). The early Christians did not have the complete Bible, and the New Testament prophets “filled the gap” by proclaiming God’s message to the people who would not have access to it otherwise. They helped to guide believers in their faith and provided insight into God’s will.

Prophetic Ministry in the Modern Day

While the role of prophets in the New Testament may seem like a thing of the past, many Christians believe that the prophetic ministry is still alive and well in the modern day. Today, the prophetic ministry continues to be an important aspect of many Christian communities. Prophets today are seen as individuals who are called by God to deliver messages to His people, just as they were in the New Testament. These messages may come in the form of visions, dreams, or words of knowledge, and are believed to be divinely inspired.

The Relationship Between Prophets and the Church

In the early church, prophets played a crucial role providing guidance and direction to believers. Today, many Christians believe that the prophetic ministry is still relevant and necessary for the church. However, it’s vital to understand that the prophet’s office in modern times is not the same as Old Testament prophets. According to 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, a prophet’s primary role now is to edify, comfort, and uplift the church. We are not to look to prophets for new revelation but for exhortation according to Scripture’s illumination. The primary purpose of the gift of prophecy in the church age is to encourage and exhort one another (1 Cor. 14:31).

Testing and Discerning Prophetic Words

Whatever the case, whenever a person claims to be speaking for God (the essence of prophecy) the key is to compare what is said with what the Bible says. 1 John 4:1 instructs us, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” If God were to speak through a person today, it would be in 100% complete agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible, pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to apply the message.

Indicators to Distinguish True and False Prophets

To help you distinguish between a true prophet and a false prophet, consider the following characteristics identified in Scripture:

A true prophet’s word will come to pass. A false prophet’s predictive word will not come to pass (Deut. 18; Jer. 23).
A true prophet never gives a word that contradicts the Bible. A false prophet will twist Scripture to validate a dream or vision they had.
A true prophet does not brag or is greedy for gain. A false prophet brags about receiving a “prophetic word” or vision from God as if they are divinely anointed and exploits the church for financial gain.
A true prophet’s ministry aligns with what the Bible teaches. A false prophet talks more about their heavenly visions and “prophetic words” than they teach contextually from the Holy Bible.
A true prophet edifies the church and points people to Jesus Christ. A false prophet doesn’t call people to repentance but shares messages that appeal to their wants and desires.
A true prophet’s defense comes from the Holy Spirit. A false prophet continually tells people they are not a false prophet.