The gift of prophecy is given to the people of God to maintain the integrity of the Church throughout all the ages. The ancient prophets were given messages of warning and reproof, as well as visions of future and past events to keep the people of God on track. The prophets were, as it were, the eyes of the Church:

For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Just as the human body is a highly organized structure with many parts working in unity, so the people of God form a unit with different components. Among the gifts given by Christ to the Church, the gift of prophecy features prominently. Not everyone receives the same gifts (1 Corinthians 7:7 NKJV).

Of all the gifts, the greatest is love, which God will sow in all who accept His call. The gifts all serve a common purpose, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12).

The prophetic gift has always had a position of prominence within the Church throughout the ages, and has played a major role in keeping God's people on the path of truth. Truth is eternal, and the New Testament Church is built on this truth, which includes the truth revealed through the Old Testament prophets. In the Dark Ages, truth was thrown to the ground and the law of God was changed by the papal power. Since the prophet Amos declares that visions cease when the law is no more, this gift of prophecy could no longer operate during this period.

In New Testament times, the gift of prophecy is equally as prominent as it was in Old Testament times, and still offers words of encouragement, warning, and reproof from God. The apostle Paul tells us this:

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:20-21).

It was through prophets that the fledgling Christian Church initiated its mission outreach (Acts 13:1; 16:6-10). Prophets ensured the safety of the believers by warning them against impending dangers such as famine. Moreover, the prophets confirmed doctrines and practices (Acts 15:1-15) and encouraged the Church.

The gift of prophecy will remain until the end of time, "so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:7-8 NKJV).

In light of Christ's warning against false prophets (Matthew 24:24) and the admonishment to "test the Spirit" (1 John 4:1), it is vital that we discern between the true and the spurious. The next article explains Scriptural tests we can apply to the words of prophets to see if they are true