Category Archives: Gifts of the Spirit

The Case For Continuationism – Sam Storms

Posted on March 3, 2010 by | 3 comments

As we have noted in our About page, part of our desire is to regularly post articles by guest authors. Well, here is our first post from Sam Storms, head of Enjoying God Ministries. Sam has given us permission to post these next two articles, which can originally be found here.

The first article will deal with reasons why one should not be a cessationist and the second article will deal with the reasons why one should be a continuationist.

12 Bad Reasons for Being a Cessationist

1. The first bad reason for being a cessationist is an appeal to 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 on the assumption that the “perfect” is something other or less than the fullness of the eternal state ushered in at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

2. Another bad or illegitimate reason for being a cessationist is the belief that signs and wonders as well as certain spiritual gifts served only to confirm or authenticate the original company of apostles and that when the apostles passed away so also did the gifts.

a) No biblical text ever says that signs and wonders or spiritual gifts of a particular sort authenticated the apostles. Signs and wonders authenticated Jesus and the apostolic message about him. If signs and wonders were designed exclusively to authenticate apostles, why were non-apostolic believers (such as Philip and Stephen) empowered to perform them?

b) This is a good reason for being a cessationist only if you can demonstrate that authentication or attestation of the apostolic message was the sole and exclusive purpose of such displays of divine power. However, nowhere in the NT is the purpose/function of the miraculous or the charismata reduced to that of attestation.

3. A third bad reason for being a cessationist is the belief that since we now have the completed canon of Scripture we no longer need the operation of so-called miraculous gifts.

4. A fourth bad reason for being a cessationist is the belief that to embrace the validity of all spiritual gifts today requires that one embrace classical Pentecostalism and its belief in Spirit-baptism as separate from and subsequent to conversion, as well as their doctrine that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of having experienced this Spirit-baptism.

5. Another bad reason for being a cessationist is the idea that if one spiritual gift, such as apostleship, has ceased to be operative in the church that other, and perhaps all, miraculous gifts have ceased to be operative in the church.

6. A sixth bad reason for being a cessationist is the fear that to acknowledge the validity today of revelatory gifts such as prophecy and word of knowledge would necessarily undermine the finality and sufficiency of Holy Scripture.

7. A seventh bad reason for being a cessationist is the appeal to Ephesians 2:20 on the assumption that revelatory gifts such as prophecy were uniquely linked to the apostles and therefore designed to function only during the so-called foundational period in the early church.

8. An eighth bad reason for being a cessationist is the argument that since we typically don’t see today miracles or gifts equal in quality/intensity to those in the ministries of Jesus and the Apostles, God doesn’t intend for any miraculous gifts of a lesser quality/intensity to operate in the church among ordinary Christians (but cf. 1 Cor. 12-14; Rom. 12; 1 Thess. 5:19-22; James 5).

9. A ninth bad reason for being a cessationist is the so-called “cluster” argument.

[Note from Scott: I believe the ‘cluster’ argument referred to here is that miracles and other such gifts seem to ‘cluster’ around greater revelatory events. Since such great revelatory events no longer exist due to Christ’s coming and that we now have the full canon of Scripture, such miracles and gifts should not be expected.]

10. A tenth bad reason for being a cessationist is the appeal to the alleged absence of miraculous gifts in church history subsequent to the first century.

11. Eleventh, it is a bad reason to be a cessationist because of the absence of good experiences with spiritual gifts and the often fanatical excess of certain TV evangelists and some of those involved in the Word of Faith or Prosperity Gospel movements (as well as the anti-intellectualism often found in those movements).

12. Finally, a twelfth bad reason for being a Cessationist is fear of what embracing continuationism might entail for your life personally and the well-being of your church corporately.

The next post will look at 12 good reasons for being a continuationist.

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Posted in cessationism, continuationism, Gifts of the Spirit, Sam Storms

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More Than Openness to the Gifts of the Spirit

Posted on February 27, 2010 by | 2 comments

by Scott

Let’s admit it. Some thirty, forty, fifty or more years ago, most of the western church was not open to the gifts of the Spirit that are specifically mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Paul lists them here:

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Even in some groups, these were anthametised or seen as demonic, especially the gift of other tongues. We’ve moved far away from such a view, not because we are headed down some slippery slope into false belief and practise, but because we have begun to be more open to such. You even have churches today from more traditional, cessationist backgrounds actually open to the gifts of the Spirit. Even major theologians are purporting that they are continuationists, at least in some sense – Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Jack Deere, Gordon Fee, Sam Storms, etc.

What are some reasons for more of an openness amongst the church today? Well, there are quite of few, but here are are three major reasons that I believe we are now more open to such:

1) The more modern worship movement possibly starting with the Jesus-movement but continued on with such people like Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Kevin Prosch, Larry Norman, Delirious, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, etc. [Just as a note, I am not promoting the idea that worship is a ‘movement’. I adamantly believe there is much more involved in being ‘living sacrifices’ (Romans 12:1-2).]

2) The afore mentioned solid theologians who are continuationists, believing all gifts from 1 Corinthians 12 are still available today. These people have faithfully, humbly and biblically looked to understand the importance of such gifts for the body of Christ.

3) There are now some 500 million plus Pentecostal, charismatic and neo-charismatics. Such leads us to at least consider that this many true followers of Jesusare not that crazy.

Again, there are other reasons, such as a more a practical reality that attended a gathering where the gifts were being actively utilised. I’ve heard tons of these stories, of which I have one to share myself and hope to soon.

Yes, I am also aware that many of us have been to gatherings where these gifts have been abused and misused. I’ve been to some myself. And it’s hard to be open when we see such. But for every abuse, I suppose there are some 100 healthy and faithful uses of these gifts. It’s just that the television happens to blur this reality. It doesn’t report on the church down the road with about 50 adult members who are being used in prophecy or words of knowledge and even healings.

But, here is my point with this post: I think we need to be careful that we are not simply open to the gifts and we never look to see God use us in these gifts. This, I believe can leave us wanting in regards to what God would do through His Spirit.

‘Now wait a second here, Scott. Don’t forget 1 Corinthians 12:11, which states, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”‘

Oh yes! He is the one who apportions at His own will. So I am not up for some manipulation scheme. I am up for true, God-honouring use of the gifts. But let me point out two other important verses in the midst of Paul’s words on the gifts of the Spirit.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Paul starts out this whole section by telling the Corinthians that he does not want them to be uninformed. I could try and go into the ancient language and show how we get our word agnostic from the Greek word used in the text. Therefore, Paul is telling us to not be agnostic, or possibly apathetic, about these gifts. And I think such is valid to consider.

But with regards to the Corinthians, they were already wanting these gifts to operate in their gatherings. They were just misusing them most of the time. So Paul is challenging them to be correctly informed about the gifts and how to utilise them. Hence his practical exposition in chapter 14 in regards to the three speech gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation.

Still, here is a challenge for us today, to those who say they are ‘open’. I really believe it would be sad if our motto for the rest of our lives is that we were ‘open’ but we never saw the gifts utilised in our gatherings, in our lives, in our world. I don’t believe openness is the end goal with regards to these gifts of the Spirit.

I don’t want to simply be open to Jesus. I want to truly follow the divine God-Man.

I don’t want to simply be open to the gifts of the Spirit. I want to see us truly used with these gifts, for they are given for the ‘common good’ (1 Corinthians 12:7).

But to be honest, many of us don’t know where to start. Now, there is the possibility that God could simply impart the knowledge and understanding so that we are no longer uniformed. He is sovereign, so by no means do I want to deny Him such a right and privilege. But it seems the normal way, at least that I have noticed, is that God likes to use others in the body of Christ to help us understand certain spiritual aspects. Hence why I believe God gives leaders within the church – to equip the saints (see Ephesians 4:11-16). I learned how to walk with Jesus from a man that had been doing it for a couple of decades. And, oddly enough, he also taught me about the reality of the Spirit of God and His gifts.

Still, we can be left timid to take that step. Who do we trust? What do we study?

Well, we start by trusting God the Holy Spirit to be faithful and we start in Scripture. And, as we do so, we seriously ask God to start opening doors to specific people in our lives that are faithful with these gifts. I know we can turn on the television and watch a ‘Christian’ station and then we simply want to give up on this whole mess. Not all of those on the tv are bad and unhealthy. But, by far, most are. I am ashamed of this truth.

But this leaves us with the necessity of pressing into God. Remember, as we like to say in regards to the gifts, He is sovereign. So, let’s trust Him enough to connect us to people who are honest, real, authentic, biblical, wise, faithful, and walk out a whole host of other Christlike characters, as well as look to see these gifts operate today. Those guys I listed earlier on seem to fall in that vein. And you might think of a handful of others.

But I don’t want to be ‘open’ and also ‘uninformed’. I want to move towards seeing God’s people empowered in these gifts. This leads me on to the second verse, again quoted below:

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Openness without earnest desire will lead down an unhealthy path. I am not sure it prepares our hearts for what God would truly desire.

Interestingly, we get our English word zeal from the Greek for ‘earnestly desire’. So the verse could also read: ‘Pursue love, and be zealous for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.’

Are we zealous for these things of God, for they are of God?

Now I know the objection that is usually raised: I don’t think we should desire the gifts. We are to desire the Giver Himself.

The thing is this: we are challenged in Scripture to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. So, let’s take Paul’s words at face value. I think he really wanted God’s people to desire and be zealous for these things. And this was written to a people who were going overboard. So he simply wanted them to earnestly desire them in a healthy sense.

And this is why I believe Paul would say to earnestly desire the gifts. When the gifts of the Giver are utilised in our midst, we taste the Giver. I have no doubt about such.

So, though many can say they are open to these gifts, and I do respect such a stance, I think we cannot stop there. I don’t believe it’s the heart of God to only be open. Many are open to lots and lots of things. But, in our new life in Christ, we are not to remain open to the things of God. We are to walk them out in grace and truth.

Therefore, I believe it is God’s desire that we 1) not remain uninformed and 2) that we also earnestly desire these gifts of the Giver. For when we see these gifts operating in a faithful manner according to the heart of God, we will see the people of God built up, encouraged, strengthened, challenged and a whole lot more. As Paul said, this is all for the common good.

Let us be challenged to move past our openness and move into calling on God to stir both an understanding and a passion for His Spirit’s work.

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Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 14, Gifts of the Spirit, prophecy

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Revelation – Not A Scary Word

Posted on February 22, 2010 by | 1 comment

by Scott

The word revelation has become a scary word for Christians, and even non-Christians.

Firstly, the word brings all sorts of negative and scary images to mind with regards to one’s eschatology, meaning how one thinks things are to be played out at the end of the age. Just go to Google images and type in the word revelation.

Many think of some sort of Armageddon, a final battle between evil and good. And, of course, that evil army will be headed up by the Satan-indwelt man himself known as anti-christ.

Even Hollywood has picked up on such things. Hey, if we can make a few bucks (or a few billion) off of people’s fear, let’s do it, right?

It grieves me to think that this might be the prevailing mindset of the average Christian.

Not only that, but the word revelation can become scary in regards to another issue – prophecy.

When one shares, ‘God has revealed something to me,’ we get a little uncomfortable, don’t we?

I believe this is also the prevailing mindset within the church. We cannot imagine God still revealing things, prophecy still being needed or even brought forth today. It’s dangerous, right?

With regards to revelation today, we can think of many cults and sects that have formed very odd beliefs. Or, maybe even worse, we have images of the kind of wacky people on ‘Christian’ television. Though they seem to spout of such spiritual visions and revelations, we all feel they are a bit odd. Again, we are uncomfortable with not only their clothes or hairdos, but their words as well.

Hence, the word revelation has been destroyed, as many other words have within Christianity.

But a prevailing nugget of wisdom I have held to for quite some time now is this: Misuse and abuse should never lead us to no use, rather it should lead us to healthy and biblical use.

With regards to revelation, in the sense of God speaking and unveiling His heart, we have a lot of baggage to deal with. But we cannot let the baggage hinder us. I know lots of things that are abused – marriage, parenthood, heretical beliefs about Christ, ungodly leadership in the church, and a whole host of other things. But I am not going to give up on any of these items, as I believe we are called to know what the Bible teaches on these matters and be faithful in staying connected to wise and strong believers. These two important aspects help guard against misuse and abuse.

The word revelation simply means an unveiling or an uncovering. And that is what it means in regards to God speaking today.

Yes, I believe God still speaks today, nor did He ever stop. Maybe we stopped listening or maybe we formulated a neat box that told God He does not do that stuff anymore. But God keeps communicating, God keeps unveiling His heart, God keeps uncovering His truth.

No, none of this is in opposition to the Scriptures, His God-breathed word. It was never meant to. The Scriptures stand as our measuring stick for the beliefs and practise of our faith. That is healthy. And, as I stated above, we are called (though many forget) to stay connected to the body of Christ, both wise leaders and other faithful people with whom we are relationally connected, to guard our hearts from wrong belief and practise. Ninety-nine out of 100 times, this will help us steer clear of that horrible misuse and abuse.

Now, I am aware that a prevailing belief amongst many is that, once the foundation of the apostolic gospel was laid out, which is now summarised in the New Testament Scriptures, there would no longer be a need for God to reveal anything. The Bible is the closed canon on the revelation of God, thus, we no longer need revelation.

But I believe such is a misnomer.

I’m not going to deal with all the passages that arise from cessationists – 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 1:1-2; and Hebrews 2:3-4. Suffice it to say that I believe these passages are well misunderstood by cessationists, but maybe I’ll write some posts on each passage in the future.

Rather than make a defence against what I believe are wrong understandings in regards to those passages, I want to share a few other things.

First off, let me say that I really do respect Christians who see the Scriptures – Old and New Testaments – as the standard for our faith. Though I don’t agree with the cessationist viewpoint – hard or soft – I do applaud the noble desire to be faithful to God through this main revelatory document in the Scriptures. If only we all stood on such similar ground. I’m not buttering anyone up here. I really do mean this.

And with regards to God’s redemptive purposes, there is no other word that can be added to it. Jesus Christ is the final word in regards to the covenant revelation of God’s plan of redemption for mankind. That’s what I believe the writer to the Hebrews was getting at in Hebrews 1:1-2.

Hence why I think that groups like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are dangerous. They’ve really begun to add to God’s redemptive revelation in Christ. That is by far one of the most dangerous things we can do.

But, though I believe there is no more to add to God’s redemptive revelation, there is, and has always been, the reality that God has continued to unveil His heart and purposes for His people.

Remember, revelation is an unveiling and an uncovering. And for God to reveal something today, or any time over the past 1,900 years or so (following what became the New Testament canon), it has been from His desire to make known His counsel and will to His people and to the world.

But what we can easily fall into is believing that all revelation was somehow recorded in Scripture. Thus, with all revelation being recorded in the Bible, with Christ being the final word, we no longer need such.

Yet all of God’s revelation was never recorded in Scripture. A good major chunk of it was. And we know and are convinced it is God-breathed revelation. Still, there was quite a lot that was spoken, maybe even written, that never made it in to the Scriptures.

Paul makes it clear in places like 1 Corinthians 14:26:

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson [teaching], a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Whoa! Paul expected the Corinthians believers, who had some serious problems to say the least, could bring forth revelation when they gathered together. I think this is simply amazing!

It wasn’t down to twelve men, or twelve men plus a few. It was down to the body of Christ in their calling as a prophetic community.

Still, one of the more powerful passages in regards to prophecy, or revelation, that did not make it into Scripture is Paul’s words to Timothy:

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience…(1 Timothy 1:18-19)

These words, these prophecies, were never penned in any part of Scripture, that we know of. Yet Paul makes it clear that these prophecies could be utilised in waging good warfare, as well as holding to the faith and a good conscience. Must have been pretty powerful revelatory words!

And I don’t even think all of the words came from Paul. In 1 Timothy 4:14, we read that a gift was imparted to Timothy through prophecy and that this was done by the ‘council of elders’. Paul was probably there as well (see 2 Timothy 1:6), but it was highly probable that a few different people spoke forth the prophecies (notice the plural in prophecies).

Again, these prophecies were never recorded in Scripture, but they were worth holding onto. Timothy could actually live out the faith with greater strength by remembering these words of revelation.

And, if we are honest, we will truly recognise that every revelatory word spoken by a prophet, apostle, or any man or woman of God, did not find its way into Scripture. I don’t believe God ever planned it that way. Well, actually, I’m certain He didn’t plan it that way, even if I only had the two examples above.

But are these words to be on equal grounds with Scripture?

That’s a tough one. I know what the easy answer is, that being, ‘No, they are not equal.’

But I don’t want to take the easy answer, even though it could save us lots of pain and work. I really want to think this through.

I will say this: whatever is truly of God is truly of God. Sounds too simple, right? But whatever revelation He has unveiled, He has unveiled. Still sounds too simple. And we know that, practically, it’s not that easy.

Still, it would be easy, even for a continuationist like myself, to create a two-tier system for revelation. It’s like those who try and create a two-tier system of apostles: Apostle (with a capital A) and apostles (with a lower-case a). Or Miracles and miracles.

The problem is this: I’m not sure the Bible really creates two tiers for any of these, even with regards to revelation.

Now, what I do recognise is that there is revelation that is central to God’s redemptive purposes. This is centrally found in the summation of the gospel in Jesus Christ. That is the goal of God’s revelation in the end – to move towards Jesus and the new covenant gospel.

So, in a sense, we could say that all other revelation must submit to that ultimate goal. And I happy to stand on such solid ground. But the thing is, we find that the Scriptures themselves contain things that are not actually central to the gospel and the final word of God’s redemptive revelation in Jesus Christ.

I’m not even talking about Paul’s words to Timothy about taking a little wine to help his stomach ailment (see 1 Timothy 5:23) or to remember his cloak that he left in Troas (see 2 Timothy 4:13).

I’m thinking about Agabus’ prophecies (i.e. Acts 11:28-30) or the prophecies brought forth by the Ephesian disciples (see Acts 19:1-7) or the prophecies spoken by the Corinthian believers (see 1 Corinthians 14:5).

These were revelations, worthy of being weighed and discerned, but they were probably not central to the apostolic gospel.

So that makes them less than, right?

Well, I believe they were still worth listening to, still worth abiding by, still worth being challenged with. That’s what happened with Agabus’s words – the people listened and acted. And Paul tells the Corinthians that an unbeliever can hear a prophecy and have the secrets of his heart disclosed (see 1 Corinthians 14:24-25). Not to mention, again, that Paul said Timothy would do well to hold on to the prophecies made to him (see the passage above).

So, then, all are equal?

Again, this is hard. I know the easy answer, but this is what I will say.

The final word of Jesus Christ in the gospel and new covenant are the ultimate goal of all God’s revelation. Even this phrase in Revelation 19:10 gives great insight: For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And it is the Scriptures that are the greatest summation and attestation to that revelation of redemption as administered by the Triune God. So the Scriptures are to stand as a canon, as a measuring stick.

But, by no means, do I believe this means that we should throw out revelation and prophecy today. Again, it will not add to God’s revelation of redemption in Christ. But true prophetic revelation will bring clarity, will stir faith, will unveil God’s heart and will be faithful to God’s revelation in Christ in Scripture. It, too, can stand as a two-edged sword, as it truly is an unveiling from God.

We don’t need 3 Thessalonians and we don’t need 4 John. But we need the voice of the living God to speak, to bring revelation, to bring forth visions of His heart for His people and His world today. And I am so thankful we have the Scriptures, as well as the body of Christ for 2000 years, to help us guard against false revelation, false prophecy. I want to keep our present-day revelations submitted to what I am certain is His faithful revelation in the Bible.

Oh God, speak by Your Spirit. It’s your desire. Make it our desire.

Do not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1).

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Posted in Gifts of the Spirit, prophecy, revelation

The Prophethood of All Believers

Posted on February 21, 2010 by | 11 comments

By Scott

Many of us are aware of the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. This was an instrumental doctrine established at the time of the Reformation. Whereas the Roman Catholic church was teaching that God’s grace was mainly mediated through the class of bishops and priests, Martin Luther and the reformers began to see that Scripture taught something quite the opposite.

Christ is our great high priest, the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Yet, it is the people of God, those who are in Christ, who are called as a royal and holy priesthood:

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ……9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:4-10)

Therefore, we have access to the throne of grace through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-25). We are not striving to get to this place. We are already there because we are in Christ. Most beautiful!

Yet, though many are aware of this important doctrine within the evangelical church, most have never considered that the Scripture lays out the doctrine of the prophethood of all believers.

‘Excuse me,’ you might say. ‘What do you mean by the prophethood of all believers?’

This is mainly established through Peter’s quotation of Joel in his Pentecost sermon. After the Spirit had been poured out, this is what Peter says:

16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:16-18)

Peter has a revelation that what Joel had prophesied centuries before was now being fulfilled right in their midst. Joel had declared that, in the last days, the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28-29)! Thus, Peter was declaring that the last days had come upon them right then and there. The last days were not some 100-year period or 50-year period before Christ returned, nor a 7-year period of tribulation before His coming. Peter declared that they had now entered the last days and the evidence for this was that the Spirit was being poured out on all flesh.

No longer would there be a gender divide in regards to the work of the ‘Spirit of prophecy’ (a term used to describe the Spirit during intertestamental Judaism). Peter declared that both sons and daughters, both males and females would both be included in this great work of the Spirit. And there would be no more age barrier either. Both young and old were to be included. The Spirit was now available to all of God’s people, not just a select few.

What was the fruit of such an outpouring of the Spirit? This is it: ‘and they shall prophesy’ (Acts 2:18). And this was what Moses himself had prophetically desired long ago:

Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them! (Numbers 11:29)

In general, in the old covenant, the Spirit of God would come upon a person for a particular task and would most times withdraw until needed again for another specific task. We see examples of this specifically with the judges: Othniel (Judges 3:10); Gideon (Judges 6:34); Jephthah (Judges 11:29); and Samson (Judges 14:6, 9; 15:14).

But, with the new covenant, the Spirit would now be poured out on all flesh, that is all of God’s people irrespective of gender, age, social status, etc. With the Messiah seated at the right hand of God, He could pour out the expected blessing of the Messianic Age (Acts 2:33). And, with the inauguration of the new covenant, the Spirit would settle upon, or within, God’s people on a permanent basis!

Roger Stronstad clarifies such a doctrine in his book, The Prophethood of All Believers:

‘Jesus completed his redemptive ministry by giving orders to his disciples by the Holy Spirit about their imminent Spirit-baptism and empowering (Acts 1.2, 5, 8). Having ascended to heaven he then poured out the Spirit upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2.33). He thereby transferred the anointing and empowering Spirit from himself to them, just as the Lord had earlier transferred the Spirit from Moses to the 70 elders, from Saul to David, and from Elijah to Elisha. By this act of transferring the Spirit to his disciples, Jesus, the Spirit-anointed prophet, makes his disciples a community of Spirit-baptized prophets. This fulfils an ancient oracle of the prophet Joel about a future age of restoration and blessing when the entire nation or community of God’s people, irrespective of age, gender or social status, would have the Spirit poured out upon them. Thus, on the day of Pentecost Jesus inaugurated the prophethood of all believers.’ (p71)

Thus, by their very Spirit-nature, the people of God are called as a prophetic community. Therefore, each and everyone of the Spirit empowered people of God can be used in prophecy, as Paul also hints at with the Corinthians (see 1 Corinthians 14:5, 31). I believe this may be the reason why Paul seems to declare in 1 Corinthians 14 that prophecy and tongues are the two most readily available charismatic gifts of the Spirit within the gathering of God’s people. Even a message in tongues functions as prophecy when it is followed by an interpretation (see 1 Corinthians 14:5).

But, still, the purpose is not to simply utter a particular prophecy. The purpose is that our entire lives, both speech and actions, become a prophetic sign to a hurting and unbelieving world. To be prophetic ultimately means that we communicate the heart of God, we communicate His words. And it is the prophetic community of believers who are called to do such this, whether we are gathered together in worship, working at the office, having coffee with a friend, at the cash register (till) of a store, or wherever we find ourselves. This is our prophetic call as the body of Christ.

Thus, not only should we embrace the important doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, but we should also recognise that the Scripture declares the prophethood of all believers. Such is amazing news! Such is also challenging! Nevertheless, this is our call as Spirit-empowered believers and, so, let us prophetically live our lives as a testimony to Jesus.

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Posted in Gifts of the Spirit, prophecy

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