Prophesying, Preaching, and the Prophetic: A Prophetic Think Tank

What is Prophesying?

This article is a casual rundown of the meaning of prophesying and then preaching in the NT. One of my functions is not only to show the indispensability of messianic prophecy in faith. It’s to describe the way to find something revelational, never before seen, without a drill-down, hyper-technical scholarly effort, and be pretty confident about it. That’s what I would like to do with what it means to prophesy, which is in the Church not very revelational but taken for granted as something pretty anti-revelational.

To prophesy, προφητευω, is probably the most ignored activity of the Christian but is without question the most important, to be put the equal with prayer, preaching or evangelizing.

The revelation is that in the Church today we don’t find many that are practicing this unless its something only called prophesying. Usually, it’s said to be the same as practicing the Gift of Prophecy, and fallible revelationally, like tounges, Sometimes we call this “preaching,” but, as usual, we think of most conception of preaching possible term possible so that we can decide ourselves the content or subject matter of this preaching and prophesying. Since the real content of prophesying, messianic prophecy, is so misappropriated, relegated, and ignored, this practice is no wonder.

Prophesying, Old Testament

Found in the OT in 75 times in 63 verses, mostly in Ezekiel.

In the TWOT¹

1277.0 ab’n” (n¹b¹°) prophesy. Denominative verb.

(1277a) aybin” (n¹bî°) spokesman, speaker, prophet.

(1277b) ha’Wbn. (n®bû°â) prophecy.

(1277c) ha’ybin> (n®°bî°â) prophetess.

Actually the views of the derivation are four. 1) From an Arabic root, naba°a “to announce, ” hence “spokesman” (Comill, Koenig, Eiselen, G. A. Smith). 2) From a Hebrew root, n¹b¹° softened from n¹ba± “to bubble up, ” hence pour forth words (Gesenius, von Orelli, Kuenen, Girdlestone, Oehler). 3) From an Akkadian root nabû “to call, ” hence one who is called [by God] (Albright, Rowley, Meek, Scott), hence one who felt called of God; 4) From an unknown Semitic root (A. B. Davidson, Koehier and Baumgartner, BDB, E. J. Young, Heinisch.) The latter view is favored by Hobart E. Freeman in his excellent book (An Introduction to the OT Prophets, Moody, 1968, pp. 37-39). This paragraph is a very brief summary of Freeman’s treatment.

Used almost exclusively for the speech of the prophet, without a moral inference. That is, prophets and prophesying are true or false. There are false prophets and false prophesying

1 Samuel 18:10 (KJV) And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

Isaiah 30:10 (KJV) Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Numbers 11:25 (ASV) And Jehovah came down in the cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.

Ezekiel 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (Eze 37:12 KJV)

The negative usages are few relative to the positive speech of a man transmitting the will of God, mostly predictive of the future.

This “prophesying” is closely related to “preaching” or “to call,” in the NT, as we will see later.

The Definition of NT Prophesying:

from 4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:—prophesy.

See Ac 2:17; 21:8-9

The root προφητης prophetes denotes the speech of a prophet:

from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:—prophet.²

προφητευω.

προφητεύω: to speak under the influence of divine inspiration, with or without reference to future events – ‘to prophesy, to make inspired utterances.’ προφήτευσον, τίς ἐστιν ὁ παίσας σε ‘prophesy, Who hit you?’ Lk 22.64; ἐπροφήτευσεν ὅτι ἔμελλεν Ἰησοῦς ἀποθνῄσκειν ‘he prophesied that Jesus was about to die’ Jn 11.51.³

proclaim or interpret a divine revelation Mt 7:22; 11:13; J 11:51; Ac 2:17f; 19:6; 21:9; 1 Cor 11:4f; 13:9; 14:1, 3–5, 24, 31, 39; Rv 10:11; 11:3.—2. prophetically reveal Mt 26:68; Mk 14:65; Lk 22:64.—3. foretell the future, prophesy Mt 15:7; Mk 7:6; Lk 1:67; 1 Pt 1:10; Jd 14.⁴

Instances of Prophesying in the NT

Found in 15 verses 15 times

Not the spiritual Gift of Prophecy, but learning, instruction, edification

This contradicts our current conception of prophesying, at leat in charismatic circles, we conflate it essentially with tounges:

https://spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gift-prophecy/

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-new-testament-gift-of-prophecy

Note: In the following verse collation, we have some duplicates across the categories.

In Matthew 15:7, Jesus used it of Isaiah who foretold of the coming wickedness of unbelief in Isa 29:14, the unbelief in the wonder God is bringing in Christ.
In Matthew 26:68 and Mark 14:65 and Luke 22:64, of knowledge that the eye cannot see.
In Acts 2:18 and Acts 2:18 of the Project of Joel 2:28, that the coming believers in Christ will see visions and dream dreams
In Romans 12:6, it seems to be the gift of Prophecy. However, this is using prophesying in reference to the miraculous content of the gift of prophecy instead of the gift itself.
1 Corinthians 13:9 (KJV) “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” Suggests that “prophesying” may not be new knowledge, as a word of knowledge received of the future or of a hidden truth pertaining to a current situation, but scriptural knowledge known of Christ, which will be complete when we see him in person. This is under the assumption that prophecy by the NT is the OT standard, which takes it back to Deuteronomy 18: 18-22. This prophecy is infallible, and if it is fallible it is not prophecy, not from God.
1 cor 14:1: distinguished from gifts. To desire pneumatikos, spiritual gifts, but mostly to prophesy.
1 Cor 14:3: Clearly, prophesying to be distinguished from the personal revelation from the gift of tongues, being a speaking “to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. for the education of the assembly.” (14:4)
1 Cor 14:24-25: Again, distinguished from the gift of tounges, a personal revelation that requires an interpreter. Prophesying is learning and instruction that convicts even strangers, who otherwise would think people in the Church are just drunk.
1 Cor 14:29: With tounges (v.27), the “prophets,” with the gift of prophecy,” need interpreters. No such need implied for prophesying.
1 Cor 14: 31: Especially that all may learn and be comforted
1 Corinthians 14:39 (KJV) Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy and forbid not to speak with tongues. Chaos can come in the form of personal revelation, from ecstatic speech, like tounges, like prophecies that require interpreters. This is the possible injection of confusion into the assembly. Prophesying implies order, learning, comforting. However, with this order, do not think that you can forbid the possible disorder of tounges.
Rev 11:13: Return prophesying to the OT prophetic type of proclaiming future knowledge from God.

Therefore the question is, what is the content of this learning and edification in prophesying? Well, I think that is already established.

Here is a reiteration of the foregoing.

To prove Christ to unbelievers and convert them.

1 Corinthians 14:24 (KJV) But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

This verse seems to contradict 1 Corinthians 14:22: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” For a clue, in 14:21, Paul quotes Isa 28:11-12. This is a prophecy and establishes the subject context of prophesying.

The confusion comes in the way in which Paul “believe” and ” believe not.” He is not talking about those that presently believe or who presently are unbelievers, but the willingness of belief.

It means that at the time of the Gospel is proclaimed, when there is prophesying, there are also the phenomena of tongues. Those who do not understand these tounges and who are not going to believe no matter what will heap scorn upon it as madness. They don’t care about whether or not there is something revelatory about it. Their faith is faith in superficial appearances. But God’s judgment of them will not be about their refusal to acknowledge the reality of the miracle of tongues as a sign of God’s presence, but the truth that comes through prophesying which follows or is concurrent.

Prophesying is not for these that are hard-hearted and refuse to believe but for those that are willing but not yet believers. Paul is using the future tense like the present. That it is for the conversion of those who will believe is evident in vss. 24 and 25: “But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.”

Not of uncertainty, not arguable, but something to which we all must agree:

Revelation 11:3 (KJV) And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

It’s hard to think that these witnesses are going to prophesy things that are ambiguous, or not certain of having been promised and fulfilled or of uncertain and fallible promise for the future.

If the idea of revelation is just spouting off on your dreams and feelings, our idea of prophesying is understandably the belief that the content of Christian preaching is arguable and of uncertain objective, supernatural demonstration.

It’s also often spoken as just any word for sermonizing. But when you read or hear their sermons, it’s clear that these are about things that are capable of being only sectarian hobby-horses, word disagreements, sacramental disagreements, minor or major “doctrinal” disagreements, or just conclusory affirmations of “doctrines.”

But the kind that these Witnesses are doing is the preaching of inarguable facts and miraculous facts, not personal, not uncertain, not unknown to one intimate with the prophetic scriptures. These can only be of those of the Messiah who fulfilled the prophets or who will fulfill them, and it’s 100% certain. This preaching is a message of warning to sinners and for the drawing of those who will be on God’s side by a specific scriptural stream.

Prophesying contains messianic oracles/prophecies OF the Messiah.

The Old Testament firmly established the definition of the Word and the kind of revelation it is carried on:

Matthew 11:13 (KJV) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Matthew 15:7-9 (KJV) [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:6 (KJV) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.

Luke 1:67 (KJV) And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied. “As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old,” that that , essentally, the herald of Messiah, John the Baptist wold come before the Messiah.

1 Peter 1:10 (KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

Nothing to add here. This is perhaps the most obvious fact about prophesying.

Also done, unintentionally, by unbelievers

John 11:51 (KJV) And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

The OT predicted prophesying. That is, this prophesying is itself a prophecy fulfilled

Acts 2:17 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Acts 2:18 (KJV) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

1 Peter 1:10 (KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

Jude 1:14 (KJV) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

The content is again of messianic prophecy. What would be more natural than a prophecy that predicts that in the future there would be a kind of prophesying that would also predict itself, that this future prophesying would have as its subject itself?

Often occurs with Tounges

Acts 19:6 (KJV) And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

This miracle of tongues is a miraculous certification of the sure, true content of prophesying, fulfilled messianic prophecy.

Most important

1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

Prophesying used by the anti-Nicene Fathers as the prophetic speech of known prophecy.

You can go through them as you wish, you wont find a contradiction. For example, late, in Esubius, in Book I of his History of the Church:

hen, finally, at the time of the origin of the Roman Empire, there appeared again to all men and nations throughout the world, who had been, as it were, previously assisted, and were now fitted to receive the knowledge of the Father, that same teacher of virtue, the minister of the Father in all good things, the divine and heavenly Word of God, in a human body not at all differing in substance from our own. He did and suffered the things which had been prophesied. For it had been foretold that one who was at the same time man and God should come and dwell in the world, should perform wonderful works, and should show himself a teacher to all nations of the piety of the Father. The marvelous nature of his birth, and his new teaching, and his wonderful works had also been foretold; so likewise the manner of his death, his resurrection from the dead, and, finally, his divine ascension into heaven. (emphasis mine)

Then, closer back to Jesus, in Irenaeus and Against Heresies:

Again, when the Holy Ghost had descended upon the disciples, that they all might prophesy and speak with tongues, and some mocked them, as if drunken with new wine, Peter said that they were not drunken, for it was the third hour of the day; but that this was what had been spoken by the prophet: “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and they shall prophesy.” The God, therefore, who did promise by the prophet, that He would send His Spirit upon the whole human race, was He who did send; and God Himself is announced by Peter as having fulfilled His own promise. (Emphasis mine)

Then yet closer to the 1st century with Justin, in Chapter 1 of The examination of Justin by the Prefect. The Martyrdom of the Holy Martyrs Justin, Chariton, Charites, Paeon, and Liberianus, who Suffered at Rome

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had also been preached beforehand by the prophets as about to be present with the race of men, the herald of salvation and teacher of good disciples. And I, being a man, think that what I can say is insignificant in comparison with His boundless divinity, acknowledging a certain prophetic power,3 since it was prophesied concerning Him of whom now I say that He is the Son of God. For I know that of old the prophets foretold His appearance among men (emphasis mine).

There is little in their literature to suggest that prophesying is simply a fallible ecstatic speech pertaining to new prophecy. That is a relatively new idea.

Preaching

Is prophesying preaching? Well, they certainly seem very close. We may never know for sure. What we do know is that preaching has specific prophetic content, consistently, incorrigibly in the OT and NT.

I don’t have to run this down for you. Do a simple word search. Preaching, “to call,” in the NT is often mentioned with the Gospel, the good news of the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus Messiah, the Messiah that was foretold. So does prophesying, being the speech of the prophet, not converge with it?

Well when Paul is evangelized outside of the Church, he said he was preaching. He did not use the word “prophesying.” It seems to be more of a concept used for activity inside the assembly.

It’s interesting that in the context of the Corinthian church, where we get most of the mentions and where we take our explanations of prophesying, “preaching” is not mentioned. But was Paul preaching within the Corinthian Church in some sense? I think so, at least in the sense of delivering the same message to believers. From what informs the content of that message?

The speech of the prophet is certainly a disclosure of information previously hidden. But is not this information that was hidden, for preaching as well, hidden the age in which one now preaches or prophesies but is now fulfilled?

Harmonizing these, could we not say that prophesying is the reiteration and exposition of Messianic prophecy formatted for the consumption and edification of the assembly in some detail, as opposed to preaching, which was more to the point, more in the form of an introduction than exegesis?

You decide. But the takeaway from all this is that neither our form of preaching or prophesying is in the NT sense this prophetic knowledge unless only in the form of its extended, doctrinal, theological conclusions which could easily be believed naively, not from the consciously known, supernatural appearance and proof of God in Scripture.

Why don’t we go back to prophesying, and for that matter preaching, according to Paul?

Far too outlandish and radical a notion.

Look at these articles:

When I Survey the Wondrous Nace, part 1

Christ and the Norming of Transcendence

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http://amzn.com/0802486495/ ↩
A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE WORDS IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT; WITH THEIR RENDERINGS IN THE AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION.Copyright 1890 by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.; Madison, N.J. ↩
Louw, Johannes E., and Eugene A. Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. 2nd ed. New York: United Bible Societies, 1989. ↩
Gingrich, F. Wilbur. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. Ed. Frederick W. Danker. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983 ↩