Understanding the difference between Old Testament and New Testament prophetic ministry is a vital key to flourishing in our gifts of prophecy.
A clearer perception of this in my earlier days would have saved me personally a great deal of heartache and error in church life. [1]
4 Differences Between Old and New Testament Prophetic Ministry
Here are four key points of difference between Old and New Testament prophetic ministry, along with some dangers that can occur when a prophetic person maintains an OT viewpoint in the context of church life.
1. In the Old Testament, a prophet was the mouthpiece of God
Old Testament prophets had the singular role of bringing God’s word—instruction, warnings, prophecies, and so on—directly to His people.
By contrast, in the New Testament, all believers have a relationship with God and can hear Him speaking to them personally. Therefore, prophecy is confirmation of what is already heard through their relationship with Him.
This also relates to leaders in the church today, who hear from God in their leadership capacity.
Prophetic ministry is designed to bring confirmation, clarity, and empowerment to the vision of a church.
Signs of maintaining an Old Testament viewpoint in church life:
- Maintaining they have correctly heard from God (and the leaders are wrong) when there is a point of difference
- Believing that their prophetic insights carry greater weight than the vision or direction of others who may not have a prophetic gift.
2. The Old Testament was an era of law and judgment
In the Old Testament, prophets pronounced warnings and judgments upon people and nations who were in disobedience to God.
The New Testament, however, is an era of God’s grace. [2] New Testament prophecy is for ‘strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.’ (1 Cor 14:3) Here is an example from Acts 15:32:
‘Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.’
New Testament prophecy is consistent with the ministry of Jesus and His revelation of the Father’s nature.
Even if a prophetic word is addressing error, the prophetic motive is redemption—to bring God’s purpose and to transform the situation and its outcome—and the word will be framed that way, presented in love and humility.
Signs of maintaining an OT viewpoint in church life:
- Using prophecy to point out wrongs, being quick to condemn or warn church leaders or other Christian believers
- Using prophecy to call for repentance with an underlying attitude of criticism or judgment [3]
3. In the Old Testament, a prophet could ‘stand alone’ before God (1 Kings 17:1)
In the New Testament, Paul says in 1 Cor 12 that we are many members, with different gifts, in one body.
As with other spiritual gifts, prophecy is not meant to be a stand-alone ministry in the church, rather, it is incomplete without the added value of other gifts in the church body. (1 Cor 12:12)
No one ‘prophetic person’ has all the revelation. He or she also depends upon others with prophetic gifts to supply more ‘pieces of the puzzle’ of God’s revelation (1 Cor 14:29-33).
The person prophesying also needs those who have gifts of discernment, leadership, and wisdom to complete their contribution to the church.
Also, in the New Testament, you see less of the individual prophet and more of prophetic teams – e.g. Acts 15:32, Acts 13:1, Acts 11:27, 1 Cor 14:29, 31-32.
Signs of maintaining an OT viewpoint in church life:
- Isolation, separation from the community
- Believing that they report directly to God only, and are commissioned and trained only by God
- Lack of accountability, i.e. not coming under any form of leadership
4. Old Testament prophets were expected to speak the PERFECT, inspired word of God
If they did not speak a word that proved true, they were condemned as ‘false prophets’ (Jer 14:14-16).
Some prophets were entrusted with the writing of scripture. They also were used by God to convey His specific instruction to Kings, nations, and others. Thus, the accuracy and purity of their words were essential.
In the New Testament church, prophetic words are subject to being weighed up. (1 Cor 14:29, 1 Thess 5:20-22)
New Testament Prophetic ministry needs an environment of humility, cooperation, and grace to operate as Jesus intended it to.
Signs of maintaining an OT viewpoint in church life:
- Believing they have a ‘hotline to God’ that bypasses the input of leadership.
- Resisting having their prophetic words weighed up
- Reacting negatively when prophetic words are not acted upon, or feedback is given that disagrees with their viewpoint
The Fruit of New Testament Prophetic Ministry
‘So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.’ (Eph 4:11-12)
In the New Testament, prophetic ministry is a servant ministry in the church. This is also true of the prophetic office.
As Paul outlines in Ephesians, the role of a leading prophetic ministry is to equip the church. This includes encouraging and empowering Christians to hear from God, as well as releasing others who have prophetic gifts.
One danger of maintaining an Old Testament paradigm of prophetic ministry is that it sends a message of exclusivity (see points 1 and 3 above). It tends to have the opposite effect—intimidating others who have prophetic gifts and creating an unhealthy reliance upon the prophetic minister.
And finally, the fruit of New Testament prophetic ministry is unity. The picture that Paul gives is of a healthy body, each part unique but working and growing together into Christ-likeness.
Notes:
[1] For more on my journey check the ‘About Enliven Blog’ page.
[2] For more detail on this topic, see the post ‘How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 2
[3] This is not to say that someone with a prophetic ministry cannot call for repentance. See ‘How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 1′
[4] I am aware that many prophetic people have experienced unhealthy or even abusive leadership, at some stage of their journey. Past hurts and difficulties should not stop us honoring and having a Biblical response to our leaders in our current situation where God has placed us. For more information on this, read my e-book Prophetic People In A Changing Church.
Related Post:
Prophetic Ministry In Church Life: 3 Non-Negotiables
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog
Enliven Ministries: Prophetic Ministry for a revival generation
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
I wish to read more. I hope you are right. God bless you.
Do you believe male and females called to the office of a prophet should be addressed as prophet so and so?
Thanks – what a great question! Here in Australia we don’t use a title or require to be addressed as ‘Prophet’ or ‘Apostle’ – but we do honour other Christian cultures where that is done.
I see that there are some good reasons to do so, and advantages in not doing so, but do not have a strong opinion either way.
Thank you for the insights. I seek for balance. You wrote:
Maintaining they have correctly heard from God (and the leaders are wrong) when there is a point of difference
Believing that their prophetic insights carry greater weight than the vision or direction of others who may not have a prophetic gift.
From the scriptures and my little experiences over the years, I believe a true new testament prophet’s most important quality is HUMILITY. If such is humble, revealed divine will communicated to leadership could be received or rejected depending on the nature and maturity of Leadership. It is not the part of the prophet to force the message. If it’s rejected and the message is from God, when it’s fulfilled , then leadership COULD by the evidence listen next time such message comes. I have had such rejection of messages and even questioned the source of such revelation, but I still submitted to leadership; Overtime, leadership began to accept these messages. First, the prophet should expect their prophetic word or revelation to be weighed by leadership or hearers. Let’s follow divine princples: we see that it’s not all new testament and old testament prophetic messages were accepted by their generation and God did not force it on them.
Thank you very much for this, Okech. This is a great insight and powerful testimony and I hope others will read and be inspired.
Thank you for this article… There is a bit confusion in me still about the Holy Spirit… How do you know when it’s the Holy Spirit speaking and when is it divination spirit speaking? Many times prophets will recall past errors and then I think: “doesn’t His word say He has forgiven, and forgotten and doesn’t think of our sins no more” so why would this prophet of God remind me then? Is the Holy Spirit a mind/thought reader ? So many in the church today are out to expose ppl of their bad habits/shortcomings/sins, surely this can’t be Christ conscousness? So with what spirit are they operating with! Thank you….
Yes, this is a great question. With such prophecies – check the fruit (outcome). That which is of the Holy Spirit will bring genuine repentance that leads to joy and the experience of God’s grace. If the result is condemnation – something is wrong. I encourage you to check the links to the two articles I have put in the article above: ‘How to Weigh Up What the Prophets Are Saying, Pts 1 & 2
Which Prophetic Ministry, Old or New Testament, do you think had greater impact today, and why?
This is very deep and adds knoweldge to the study of prophets.personally I benefitted alot and wish to ask this question ‘HOW DOES THE TODAYS PROPHETS HELP THE SOCIETY TO LIVE IN THE STATURE OF GOD?’
Hello Esther, in Ephesians 4 Paul explains that Jesus has given the 5-fold ministry – including that of the prophet, to equip the church, to do the work of service, so that we (the body of Christ) grow into maturity, in the full stature of Christ.