Prophet1

What is prophecy? 

Some regard prophecy as predicting future events.  This does not distinguish it from scientific predictions, guessing or even fortune telling.  Prophecy really means speaking under divine inspiration.  It certainly may predict future events but more importantly the source and content is gift from God. 

Are there prophets now? 

The NT era is different from that of the OT time.  Heb. 1:^{1 “}In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, …” In the OT times, God gave words to prophets who in turn spoke to people.  These were recorded in the Bible, especially books of prophets.  Since Christ is our teacher in the new covenant (Jer.31:34; Matt. 23:10), there are no prophets in the sense of OT.  Specifically, no book or even a chapter may be added to the Bible.  All testimonies, sermons or books should be used as references.  Note that many cults or heresies add or change the Bible. 

Then, what about I Cor. 12:28-30 or 14?  In Ac. 2:¹⁷" 'In the last days, God says,
       I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
       your young men will see visions,
       your old men will dream dreams.” (from Joel 2:28)    

In the broadest sense, anyone who tells Bible verses to another is prophesying since the Word of God is true or will be true.  Prophesying in Acts 2:17-18 and in Paul’s letters means to enlighten others.  If someone interprets, preaches, testifies, or sheds light in general on some Bible verses or sound doctrines, that person is prophesying.  Martin Luther said that every Christian is a priest.  Thus, in a broad sense, anyone can prophesy. 

Ps. 119:¹⁰⁵ “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Prophets in I Cor. 12:28-30 get lights from God and enlighten others.  Prophets in this context must provide original insight to the Bible.  In addition, the interpretation must be biblical and relevant.  In the wide context of the Church, this is quite difficult since after studies of many generations much of the Bible is well understood.  On the other hand, the rich of the Bible is infinite.  Note that an apostle is higher than prophets.  An apostle certainly can prophesy. 

Chapter 14 of I Corinthians is on prophesying to build up the church.  This shows the importance of prophesying and provides some guidelines on prophesying.  Prophets here are slightly different from the above.  Prophecies in a congregation need not to be original but must be biblical and relevant. 

Biblical and relevant 

Prophesying must be biblical and relevant.  First, a message or testimony must be biblical.  Its spirit must agree with the Bible.  Therefore, it is essential for a person to gain a sound understanding of the Bible before prophesying.  One important point, highlighted by Watchman Nee in [1], is that only a spiritual man can gain lights from the Bible.  One must devote time to study the Bible and follow Christ in his acts.  Prophecy is a gift from God.  Since the need of prophesying is great and God is a loving God, the gift of prophecy will be given to those who are willing (Matt.7:7-11). 

Relevance to the present situation is also important.  This is one important theme in [2], an excellent book by Rick Warren, who is a pastor of a fast-growing church.  The Bible is relevant to everyone today but we have to find and show the relevance to peoples.  If sermons or other meetings can reach people in need, their minds may open to the Bible and the Holy Spirit.  This is by no means easy or simple.  The world has the work of God, Satan’s work, as well as worldly things and all sorts of views.  One needs to study many historical facts and use a biblical view to analyze the world, culture, and congregation.  I have written on Islam because the current world situation concerns many.  Many good Christians (even pastors) are also confused on this. 

One has to be aware of false teachings.  Through out the history, false teachings and heresies deviate from the original meaning of the Bible.  By studying these, such as those presented in http://www.gcciusa.org/b5/eBooks/Truth/truthIndex.html, one may increase awareness of pitfalls and mistakes. 

Interpretation

The meaning of the Bible often needs interpretation.  How to know whether the interpretation of some verses is correct and/or original?  First, one should know the interpretation system used throughout ages by previous saints and scholars.  Refer [3] and references therein for the start.  For specific verses, one can refer to one of the reference books in [3] or go to one of the public libraries to look up many reference books. 

On correctness, there are rooms for different opinions.  As Paul taught us in I Corinthians different teachers may have different viewpoints and all could be correct and beneficial.  One may favor one interpretation but the other could be equally correct.  On the other hand, since the reference books need to collect various viewpoints, some interpretations on some verses can be problematic. 

Watchman Nee and Witness Lee

Watchman Nee had strong influence on interpretation of the Bible as well as Chinese churches.  Thus, I would like to explore some now.  To me, it is clear that he is a prophet since his interpretations of the Bible shed much light.  I do not know any other contemporary has obtained as much from God.  Incidentally, this shows that God is righteous (Ac. 10:34-35).  Even though Nee had such a difficult environment and with shortcomings of Chinese language, he received great gifts from God.  His interpretations were developed from prior methodologies but many points were original.  This does not mean that he did not make mistakes (after all we are sinners).  Many his interpretations should be studied further in the mainstream system and shared by all churches. 

Witness Lee tried to carry on what W. Nee left.  My troubles with him are 1) many good points of his were from W. Nee (i.e., not original);  2) some important points of his had serious errors.  There are a number of cases to support my stand.  In addition, if you compare their styles you will find striking differences.  W. Nee rarely introduced new theological terms.  His interpretations are largely biblical as well as easy to understand.  On the other hand, Lee invented many new terms.  If you try to explain to other Christians, many are confused by his terms.  I heard some said that Nee made difficult Bible verses easy to understand while Lee made easy verses hard to understand.  There is some truth in this.  I do not think that most his terms are necessary to understand the Bible. 

One of W. Lee’s grave sins is to publish the “recovery version” of the Bible.  Today’s situation is very different from that of Martin Luther’s.  At that time, there were no German translation and ordinary people had no access to the Bible.  The English recovery version is particularly troublesome.  There are reasons to have new Chinese translation, as I mentioned earlier.  But why do we need new English versions?  If we need one, he should have talked to other denominations first. 

In addition, viewing some development in the local churches under his leadership, it is clear that he is not in the rank of prophet.  There is no point to study his work.  There are some fundamental questions regarding his interpretations, the practice of local churches, and the right ways according to the Bible.  I will explain more in the future when I have time. 

From the Bible and to the Bible

Finally, it is important to understand the role of prophets in the new covenant mentioned earlier.  We are facilitators not originators.  Christ is the true teacher and the LORD.  No matter how much we know or teach, the purpose is not to convince others of specific doctrines or verses but to lead one to the Bible and God.  If our service can help others to acknowledge the authority and relevance of the Bible and encourage others to read more of the Bible, then we are doing a good job.  This is what I mean “from the Bible and to the Bible.” 

(To certain extent, Lee’s style is a hindrance.  After many years experiences in Christ, I can understand many terms he used.  However, I do not think that most the terms are necessary.) 

1. "How to Study the Bible" Watchman Nee, ISBN: 073630407X 
2. "The Purpose-Driven Church," Rick Warren, Zondervan Publishing Company; 1995
3. “The Bible, an owner's manual” Robert R. Hann, Paulist Press, c1983.