Topical Bible: Prophecy: Gift of, Promised

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The gift of prophecy holds a significant place within the biblical narrative, serving as a divine communication channel through which God reveals His will, guidance, and future events to His people. This gift is not only a testament to God's sovereignty and omniscience but also a demonstration of His desire to engage with humanity in a personal and transformative manner.

Old Testament Promises and Fulfillment

The Old Testament is replete with instances where the gift of prophecy is promised and manifested. Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Isaiah were chosen by God to deliver His messages to Israel. In Numbers 11:29, Moses expresses a desire for all of God's people to prophesy, saying, "I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!" . This longing foreshadows a broader distribution of the prophetic gift.

Joel 2:28-29 provides a pivotal promise regarding the outpouring of the prophetic spirit: "And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days" . This prophecy anticipates a time when the gift of prophecy would be accessible to all believers, transcending age, gender, and social status.

New Testament Fulfillment and Continuation

The New Testament records the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, particularly in the events of Pentecost as described in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various tongues and prophesy. Peter, addressing the crowd, cites Joel's prophecy to explain the miraculous events: "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). This moment marks the inauguration of a new era in which the prophetic gift is widely available to the church.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the gift of prophecy in his epistles, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12-14. He lists prophecy among the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing its role in edifying the church: "But the one who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3). Paul encourages believers to "eagerly desire the greater gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31), including prophecy, underscoring its importance in the life of the church.

Purpose and Function

The gift of prophecy serves multiple purposes within the biblical framework. It acts as a means of revelation, providing insight into God's will and future events. Prophecy also serves to edify, exhort, and comfort the body of Christ, fostering spiritual growth and unity. Furthermore, it acts as a sign for unbelievers, demonstrating the power and presence of God among His people.

Guidelines and Discernment

While the gift of prophecy is highly valued, the New Testament provides guidelines for its exercise to ensure order and authenticity. Paul instructs the Corinthians to "weigh carefully what is said" (1 Corinthians 14:29) and to maintain order during prophetic utterances. The need for discernment is emphasized, as believers are encouraged to test prophecies against the truth of Scripture and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The gift of prophecy, as promised and fulfilled in Scripture, remains a vital aspect of the Christian faith. It reflects God's ongoing communication with His people and His desire to guide, edify, and empower the church through the Holy Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 2:16,17
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
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Library

Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and ...
... in you, neither will I accept a gift at your ... Christ, when they read this in the prophecy,
and see ... be the new testament, in which the things promised are eternal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 35 of the prophecy of.htm

Man the Image of the Creator, and Christ the Head of the Man ...
... I have to remark that these also were promised by the ... just conclusion that the bestowal
of a gift is not ... Here is a prophecy of Isaiah: "There shall come forth ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter viii man the image of.htm

The Abiding Gift and Its Transitory Accompaniments
... preparation for the communication of the promised gift, the old ... Second, Pentecost
is a prophecy of the universal ... passed away also, but the gift remains, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the abiding gift and its.htm

The Obedience of Abbot John by which He was Exalted Even to the ...
... it well to set down just by way of specimen, as we promised, some of ... Cassian tells
us, he received as reward for his obedience the gift of prophecy, and was ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiii the obedience of.htm

The Last Word of Prophecy
... The more directly Messianic part of this prophecy is closed ... But the 'return,' which
is promised on condition of ... who have received that great gift of purifying ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last word of prophecy.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... 3:1, 23, where a prophet is promised as the ... and this compels us to refer the prophecy
to some ... like unto Moses, as respects the prophetical gift, in these words ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

Peter's First Sermon
... witness of yours to do with Joel's prophecy, or with ... the Father the Spirit, whom
He promised to send ... poured forth this,'"this new strange gift, the tokens of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters first sermon.htm

The Exordium.
... for they say that these are they whom the Lord promised to send to ... the women who
attached themselves to Montanus succeeded to the gift of prophecy, let them ...
/.../urbanus/the extant writings of asterius urbanus/i the exordium.htm

The Gift of the Spirit
... The prophecy was fulfilled, "He that is feeble ... why do we not hunger and thirst for
the gift of the ... a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

The Gospel Feast
... of Melchizedek; and there the record stands as a prophecy of what was to ... Next the
great gift was shadowed out in the description of the promised land, which ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm