Is Prophesy for Today? A Biblical Case for Continuing Prophecy

Is Prophesy for Today? A Biblical Case for Continuing Prophecy

Prophecy is one of the most debated gifts in the church today. Some claim that prophecy ended with the apostles, while others insist it continues in full force. Yet the real question is not what traditions say, but what Scripture itself teaches. The Bible not only affirms prophecy in the New Testament church but also instructs believers how to discern and test it.

Prophecy in the New Testament Church

Prophecy was central to the early church’s life and mission. On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared Joel’s prophecy fulfilled: “‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, And your young men will see visions, And your old men will have dreams’” (Acts 2:17 NASB). This promise was not limited to the apostles but extended to men and women, young and old, across generations.

Paul emphasized prophecy as one of the Spirit’s gifts for the building up of the church: “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB). He describes prophecy as strengthening, encouraging, and comforting the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). Far from being sidelined, prophecy is urged as a vital part of church life.

The Call to Test Prophecy

Yet with the blessing of prophecy comes the responsibility of discernment. John warns: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 NASB). Likewise, Paul writes: “Do not quench the Spirit; do not utterly reject prophecies, but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 NASB).

The balance is crucial. To reject all prophecy is to “quench the Spirit,” but to accept every word without testing is to invite deception. The Bible calls believers to embrace prophecy while weighing it against Scripture and the Spirit’s confirmation.

Prophecy and the Closing of the Canon

Some argue that prophecy ceased when the New Testament canon was completed. Yet Scripture nowhere teaches that the canon’s closure ends prophecy. The gifts were given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:12–13 NASB). Since the church has not yet reached full unity or maturity, the gifts—including prophecy—remain operative.

The Weak Case for the Gifts Ceasing

Cessationists often argue that prophecy and other miraculous gifts ended with the apostles or the closing of the New Testament canon. Their primary text is 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (NASB): “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease… For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.” They claim “the perfect” refers to the completion of Scripture, suggesting that once the Bible was finished, prophecy was no longer needed.

Yet this interpretation strains the text. Paul himself explains what he means: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NASB). The “perfect” is not the canon of Scripture but the return of Christ, when we will see Him face to face. Until that day, the church still “knows in part” and therefore still needs the Spirit’s gifts.

Historically, the claim that gifts ceased also falters. The early church fathers—such as Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and even Augustine—testify to the presence of miracles and prophecy long after the apostles. The consistent witness of history is that prophecy never vanished, even if it waxed and waned in different eras.

The weakness of the cessationist case is that it is built on an assumption the Bible never makes: that God would withdraw gifts necessary for the building up of the church while we still await the fullness of Christ’s kingdom. Scripture calls us not to dismiss prophecy but to test it (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21; 1 John 4:1). The very command to test implies that prophecy continues, and believers must discern what is genuine.

Theological Reflection

Prophecy today is not equal to Scripture. The Bible is the final authority and the sufficient Word of God. Prophetic words must always be tested against it. But when authentic, prophecy can encourage the weary, convict the sinner, and direct the church’s mission. God has not left His people without His Spirit’s voice; He continues to speak in ways that align with His Word and glorify His Son.

Implications for Today

Christians should neither dismiss prophecy outright nor accept it uncritically. We must welcome the Spirit’s gifts while faithfully discerning them. Authentic prophecy will exalt Christ, align with Scripture, and strengthen the church. False prophecy will glorify man, contradict God’s Word, and sow division. The call is simple but demanding: “Examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB).

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Prophecy has not ceased. It continues as a gift of the Spirit for the church today—guiding, encouraging, and strengthening God’s people. But it must always be tested, weighed, and submitted to Scripture. The voice of God still speaks, but never in contradiction to His written Word. When prophecy is exercised biblically, it is not a distraction from Christ but a testimony to Him—the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.