Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 103

Principles Behind Prophecy Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

1. Prophecy provides divinely inspired truth about God, his universe, and his will. • Who is God and what is the nature of the “real”? • What is the truth, and how can we know it? • Where did we come from, why are we here, and how shall we act? 2. Prophecy originates and has its source in the Holy Spirit. • It is his gift (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:8). • Prophet = “person of the Spirit,” pneumatikos (1 Corinthians 14:37 and Hosea 9:7) • The hope of Moses (Numbers 11:16, 29; cf. Luke 10:1) 3. Diverse and various forms of revelation (Jeremiah 18:18, Law from the priest, counsel from the wise, and word from the prophet). • Lived in communities and guilds, some were attached to the temple, while others were priests (cf. 2 Kings 2:3ff.; Ezekiel 1:3; Jeremiah 1:1). • Sages and wisdom teachers were “recipients and mediators” of the divine gift (cf. Genesis 41:38; 2 Samuel 14:20; 16:23; 1 Kings 3:9, etc.). • Wisdom teacher and prophet both: Daniel. 4. Prophecy not self-authenticating: it must be judged valid. • Conflict existed between prophets within both the Old Testament and New Testament (cf. 1 Kings 22; Jeremiah 23; 28 and 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13; 1 John 4:1-3). • Prophetic claims must agree with Moses (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) and Jesus (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 2 Peter 2:1). • If the word comes to pass, it is from the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:15-22). • All prophecy is to be examined for its truth value (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). 5. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). • Prophecy speaks to Messiah’s suffering and glory (Luke 24:25-27; 44). • The prophetic Scriptures focus on his person and work (John 5:39-40). • Apostolic preaching connected him to their message (Acts 3:12-18; 10:43; 13:27; Romans 3:21-22; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:19-21).