“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” I Cor. 14:1
“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” I Cor. 14:3(NKJV)
There is overwhelming support in the Bible that prophets and prophecy are gifts to the New Testament church. Some skeptics fail to realize that even in 2014 we are still part of the N.T. church. Nothing given to the church was intended to “pass away” after a specific amount of time had passed. So, as with the other gifts, prophecy is still valid in the church today.
The scope of prophecy is very wide and we must understand the importance of its specific functions. Old Testament prophets usually spoke God’s word about certain events yet to take place. Sometimes the words of the prophet uncovered present events and circumstances that needed to be brought to light. Samuel revealed that David was to be Israel’s next king. The unnamed prophet in I Kings 13 spoke against the paganism of the present king and told of its aftermath.
Other prophets prophesied against entire nations about their future state. There was no shortage of prophets in Old Testament times. In many cases the words of the prophets were the only contact man had with God.
The New Testament opened up the door for a wider revelation of God through Jesus Christ. God’s living Word, Jesus, is now our go-between with God. But, prophets and prophecy were not removed from the scene. If anything, they are now more important than before. A word of prophecy can confirm what God has already been speaking to you. It may explain a “feeling” you have not quite understood. It can give you information you need to fulfill your purpose. It may just be given to let you know that God knows who and where you are. We are blessed today with a prophet of God to minister to us. As Dr. Childs ministers the “Word of the Lord” today listen for the voice of God in everything he says. That means his sermon, words to others, or a word directly to you. God will speak to you if you will listen.