Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Principles Behind Prophecy 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 (Rom. 12.6; 1 Cor. 12.10; Eph. 4.8). • Prophet = “person of the Spirit,” pneumatikos (1 Cor. 14.37 and Hos. 9.7) • The hope of Moses (Num. 11.16, 29; cf. Luke 10.1) 3. Diverse and various forms of revelation (Jer. 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.; Ezek. 1.3; Jer. 1.1). • Sages and wisdom teachers were “recipients and mediators” of the divine gift (cf. Gen. 41.38; 2 Sam. 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; Jer. 23; 28 and 2 Cor. 11.4, 13; 1 John 4.1-3). • Prophetic claims must agree with Moses (Deut. 13.1-5) and Jesus (Matt. 7.15; 24.11; 2 Pet. 2.1). • If the word comes to pass, it is from the Lord (Deut. 18.15-22). • All prophecy is to be examined for its truth value (1 Thess. 5.19-21). 5. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 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; Rom. 3.21-22; 1 Pet. 1.10-12; 2 Pet. 1.19-21).