The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Ecclesiastical Stand Against the Gift

The apostolic church had the gift of prophecy, and profited by it greatly. The gifts were continued after the death of the apostles, as we have seen. But when the ecclesiastical leaders wanted it no more, they lost it,—as a church. After that, it appeared here and there among true, humble believers. Reviewing a controversy regarding the prophetic gift, which continued in the church through the greater part of the second and third centuries, a discerning writer declares: AGP 198.4

“It was now taught that prophecy in general was a peculiarity of the Old Testament (“lex et prophetae usque ad Johannem”); that in the new covenant God had spoken only through apostles; that the whole word of God so far as binding on the church was contained in the apostolic record—the New Testament; and that, consequently, the church neither required nor could acknowledge new revelations, or even instructions, through prophets. The revolution which this theory gradually brought about is shown in the transformation of the religious, enthusiastic organization of the church into a legal and political constitution. A great many things had to be sacrificed to this, and amongst others the old prophets. The strictly enforced episcopal constitution, the creation of a clerical order, and the formation of the New Testament canon accomplished the overthrow of the prophets. Instead of the old formula, ‘God continually confers on the church apostles, prophets, and teachers,’ the word now was: ‘The church is founded in the (written) word of the prophets (i.e. the Old Testament prophets) and the apostles (viz. the twelve and Paul).’ After the beginning of the third century there were still no doubt men under the control of the hierarchy who experienced the prophetic ecstasy, or clerics like Cyprian who professed to have received special directions from God.” “Encyclopedia Britannica,” Vol. XXII, art., “Prophet,” 11th edition.

Such a decision by the bishops, presbyters, and other leaders in the church could have no other influence than to discount, restrain, and attempt to suppress the manifestation of that gracious gift so greatly needed by the very ones who opposed it. AGP 199.1

It will, of course, be evident to all that reference is here made to two churches, or rather to the church at two different periods. The first is the primitive church; the other is the church drifting into apostasy. It was the latter that endeavored to silence conviction regarding the continuance of the gift of prophecy. But that conviction was never entirely silenced. The canon of Scripture is indeed closed, but the gift of prophecy has never ultimately ceased. There were times when the gift seemed to have disappeared forever; but another has well said: AGP 199.2

“In spiritually aroused eras in the history of the church, prophecy again puts in its appearance. It has never ceased altogether.” “The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,” Vol. IV, art., “Prophecy,” p. 2464.

Not until the gospel ceases on earth will the gift of prophecy finally “cease,” to use the authoritative term of Holy Writ. AGP 199.3