What is the New Covenant gift of prophecy, and does the Holy Spirit still commonly give this gift after the completion of the canon?

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This is not an easy question.

I invite biblical observations and reasoning to help us wrestle through this together. Please try to keep each post “bite-sized” so we best consider all the different aspects and conclusions. Or, to put it another way, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)

Note: I have asked the question with the words “New Covenant” instead of “New Testament” to indicate I am speaking about the gift(s) given to believers after the resurrection and ascension—and so excluding John the Baptist and Jesus himself.

Verses which appear to directly speak to a New Covenant gift of prophecy…

[16] But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: [17] “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; [18] even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. [19] And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; [20] the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. [21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’  (Acts 2:16-21 ESV)

[6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7] if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8] the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.  (Romans 12:6-8 ESV)

[8] For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  (1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV)

[28] And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  (1 Corinthians 12:28-30 ESV)

[39] So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40] But all things should be done decently and in order.  (1 Corinthians 14:39-40 ESV; note, all of 1Cor 14 connects to this topic)

[11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,  (Ephesians 4:11 ESV; note, 3:5 makes clear this refers to prophets in Paul’s day, not OT prophets)

[19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good.  (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 ESV)

Individuals explicitly named or shown to be New Covenant prophets…

• Agabus (Acts 11:28, 21:10)
• One or more among the following: Barnabas, Simeon (Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul (Act 13:1)
• Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32)
• John (book of Revelation) -
• The two witnesses (Rev 11:3)

Observation: With the exception of John, who was also an Apostle, there are no New Covenant prophets who are known to be foundational leaders in the early church. This is interesting in light of Eph 2:20.

[19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,  (Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV)

Explicit contents of New Covenant prophesies…

• Great worldwide famine foretold (Acts 11:28)
• Setting apart of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:1-2, cf Acts 21:10-11 to see that the Holy Spirit speaking was likely through the prophets just mentioned)
• The Jews in Jerusalem will arrest Saul (Acts 21:10-11)
• Timothy’s call to spiritual leadership (1Tim 1:18, 4:13-14)

In addition, the following are noted as things revealed by the Apostles and prophets…

• The mystery of Messiah—namely, the Gentiles as fellow heirs (Eph 3:5)
• The entire book of Revelation (John being an Apostle who was given a prophecy)

Also, we are told the purpose of prophecy in the New Covenant is upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation (1Cor 14:3), to the effect that the church would learn and be encouraged (1Cor 14:31).

Conclusion: While the prophets are spoken of as foundational to the Church, the Apostles seem to clearly be the ones who were given lasting authority in the production of scripture and the delivery of timeless (non-person-specific) truths. In other words, the role of New Covenant prophet seems to very much be a supporting role—not a lead role.

Perspectives to consider—videos from respected pastors

John Piper

David Platt

Is Prophecy a Gift for Today?

Paul Washer

Mark Dever

Alistair Begg

Building Up The Church, Part One

John MacArthur

Prophecy Redefined