New Testament prophets are to be held to the same standard as Old Testament prophets

March 15, 2008

Pulpit Magazine has a very interesting article out entitled What Was NT Prophecy?

In summary form, this article addresses the topic of New Testament prophecy giving us statements from Continuationist like Sam Storms, Wayne Grudem, and Jack Deere and provides responses from Cessationist like Sam Waldron and Thomas Edgar.

Strictly speaking, I am not a Cessationist, but the Cessationist views with regard to a standard of identifying a true New Testament prophet are compelling to me nonetheless.

Here is a summary from the post at Pulpit Magazine. Read the complete post here.

New Testament prophets are to be held to the same standard as Old Testament prophets since the NT writers make no attempt to distinguish between the two. Thus, the content of their prophecy (whether foretelling or forth-telling) must accurately convey the true, error-free revelation they are receiving from God. If their prophecy is shown to be incorrect, it is also shown to not be from God. Moreover, now that we have the completed “prophetic Word,” additional revelation from God is no longer needed for the present age.

Personally, I am not prepared to accept the last statement in the above summary [no prophecy today], however, there is no doubt that many false prophets are speaking to the Church today.

Related Resources on this Topic:

1. Tongues! Signs! Wonders! An Interview with Dr. Sam Waldron — Part 1 | Part 2
2. Continuationism and Cessationism: An Interview with Dr. Wayne Grudem — Part 1 | Part 2
3. “Growing in the Prophetic” Bickle Versus Grudem
4. Desiring God 1991 Conference for Pastors
5. Power Religion, Wayne Grudem
6. Fallible New Testament Prophecy
7. Does God Still Give Revelation?

Posted in Cessationist, New Testament, Old Testament, Prophecy, Prophet