Why was the gift of prophecy needed in the early church?
The gift of prophecy was needed in the early church because the Word of God had not yet come into print. Before Scripture was available in printed form, men with this gift spoke forth the Word of God, giving divine revelation and instruction to believers while it was not yet in print.
Les teaches that the gift of prophecy was needed at that time, before the Word came into print. It was a gift by which men spoke forth the Word of God even though it was not yet in print. In I Corinthians 13:2, Paul says, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries.” Les points out that this love chapter sits between the two chapters where Paul deals with the gifts of the Spirit. The gift thus served the early church by conveying God’s Word before the Word was in print.
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, and have not charity, I am nothing.