Tell me what you think of this. There is a woman who said she has been called to be a prophet. I don’t have a problem with that but she said this: “Prophecy is the most essential gift.” I totally disagree with that statement, but don’t quite know how to address it. Have you addressed this in one of your earlier Gazettes? If so, please direct me where to look. If not, please respond to my e-mail. I truly respect your opinion. Thanks and God bless! Maxine Collins
Prophecy was inferior to love: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV). However, among the miraculous, spiritual gifts available to the Lord’s church in the first century, the apostle Paul ranked prophecy as primary: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2). Howbeit, miraculous, spiritual gifts are no longer available since the time that biblical miracles ceased around the close of the first century A.D.
The purpose of miracles is clearly stated in Mark 16:20: “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Once the purpose of miracles was accomplished, confirming the New Testament as from God, miracles being provisional, were no longer needed. Both 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 and Ephesians 4:11-14 prophesied the ending of miracles.
No new revelation is forth coming (Galatians 1:6-9; Jude 3; Revelation 22:18-19), which was one of the functions of a prophet. There is no need for prophets in the absence of continuing, new revelation from God.
