The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Transferred From Jews to Christians

That the reader may have an insight into Justin’s precise attitude regarding these matters, we here quote from his own words, preserved for us: AGP 184.2

“For after Him [Christ] no prophet has arisen among you [the Jewish nation]. Now, that (you may know that) your prophets, each receiving some one or two powers from God, did and spoke the things which we have learned from the Scriptures, attend to the following remarks of mine. Solomon possessed the spirit of wisdom, Daniel that of understanding and counsel, Moses that of might and piety, Elijah that of fear, and Isaiah that of knowledge; and so with the others: each possessed one power, or one joined alternately with another; also Jeremiah, and the twelve (prophets), and David, and, in short, the rest who existed amongst you. Accordingly He (that is, the Spirit,) rested, i. e., ceased, when He [Christ] came, after whom, in the times of this dispensation wrought out by Him amongst men, it was requisite that such gifts should cease from you [the Jews]; and having received their rest in Him, should again, as had been predicted, become gifts which, from the grace of His Spirit’s power, He imparts to those who believe in Him, according as He deems each man worthy thereof. I have already said, and do again say, that it had been prophesied that this would be done by Him after His ascension to heaven. It is accordingly said, ‘He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, He gave gifts unto the sons of men.’ And again, in another prophecy it is said: ‘And it shall come to pass after this, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and on My servants, and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.’”

“Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess girls of the Spirit of God.” Id., chaps. 87 and 78, p. 243.

This is testimony from a witness associated with the early Christian believers in the great activities of the gospel. Justin does not himself claim to be endowed with any of these gifts. He states that “the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to the present time,” and that some are “illumined through the name of this Christ.” For one receives the spirit of understanding, another of counsel, another of strength, another of healing, another of foreknowledge (gift of prophecy), another of teaching. This accords fully with Paul’s statement on the operation of the spiritual gifts. The apostles were now all dead. A new generation was carrying on the work nearly a century after Paul wrote his epistle to the Corinthian church. But Christ in heaven was alive, and according to this testimony was still dispensing His gifts to the members of His body, the church. AGP 185.1