In the early church, the gift of prophecy was the supernatural ability to speak forth God's Word, not primarily to predict future events.
Les Feldick teaches that before the New Testament was written, believers had no written guide. God therefore gifted certain men to proclaim His Word directly, and this was the gift of prophecy. It was essential for instructing new congregations and was considered the most important gift at that time.
1 Corinthians 14:1 — Paul encourages believers to desire the gift of prophecy, which Les clarifies means speaking forth God's Word.
The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 12, uses the analogy of the human body to show that all believers are part of one body, the body of Christ. Verse 13 states that by one Spirit we are all baptized into that body, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free. In chapter 14, Paul instructs believers to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, and he explains that prophecy speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). The Bible also indicates that prophecy was a gift given to the church, but it would eventually cease when that which is perfect is come (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Les Feldick explains that the gift of prophecy in the early church was not predicting the future, but speaking forth the Word of God. At the time Paul wrote, the New Testament had not yet been compiled; the Gospels were not written, and Paul's letters had not yet been recognized as Scripture. To feed and instruct the growing congregations, God raised up gifted men who could proclaim His truth directly by inspiration. This gift was crucial before the written Word was available, and it became unnecessary once the New Testament was completed. Les also emphasizes that all believers are placed into the body of Christ by the Spirit, and every member is important regardless of visibility.
Les explains that before the New Testament was compiled, believers had no written guide. The Gospels were not yet written, and Paul's letters had not yet been recognized as Scripture. To feed and instruct the early congregations, God raised up gifted men who could proclaim His truth directly, without the benefit of a printed page. This was the gift of prophecy.
Les teaches that once the New Testament was completed and the printed page became available, the gift of prophecy as a supernatural proclamation was no longer necessary. He says, "We don't need men who are gifted in proclaiming the Word of God without anything to go on." The role of pastor/teacher remains a gift, but the specific gift of prophecy faded away.
No. Les clarifies that the word "prophesy" in Scripture can mean either telling the future or simply speaking forth the Word. In the early church, the gift was for speaking forth the Word, not predicting future events. He gives the example of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 who will speak the Word, not necessarily tell the future.
Les emphasizes that all believers are placed into the body of Christ by the Spirit, and every member is important regardless of visibility. He uses the analogy of the human body to show that the foot and the little toe are just as much part of the body as the hand. This illustrates that each believer has a role, and the gift of prophecy was just one of the gifts given to build up the body.
Body of Christ Analogy
Les teaches that all believers are placed into the body of Christ by the Spirit, and every member is important, illustrating that spiritual gifts like prophecy are distributed to all.
Gift of Prophecy as Speaking Forth the Word
Les explains that before the New Testament was written, God gifted men to speak forth His Word, and this gift of prophecy was the most important because believers had nothing else to go on.
No New Testament at the Time
Les emphasizes that when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the New Testament was not yet written, so the gift of prophecy was essential for instructing believers.
Gifted Men Proclaiming Without Print
Les teaches that God used men gifted to proclaim truth without a written Bible, and that once the New Testament was complete, this specific gift was no longer needed.
Gift of Prophecy in Love Chapter
Les notes that in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul mentions the gift of prophecy, which was needed before the Word came into print.
Speaking Forth the Word vs Signs
Les reiterates that prophecy meant proclaiming the Word, and this is what people need to hear today, not just signs and wonders.
Prophecy Definition
Les clarifies that the word 'prophesy' can mean either telling the future or speaking forth the Word, and in the early church it meant speaking forth the Word.
No Longer Needed With Complete Scriptures
Les states that since we now have the complete New Testament, we no longer need men with the gift of prophecy as in the early church.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Shows that all believers are part of the body of Christ, setting the stage for the discussion of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Paul encourages believers to desire the gift of prophecy, which Les explains means speaking forth God's Word.
1 Corinthians 14:3: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Describes the purpose of prophecy as building up the church through speaking God's Word.
1 Corinthians 13:8: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Indicates that prophecies would cease, which Les connects to the completion of the New Testament.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that the gift of prophecy in the early church meant speaking forth the Word of God, not necessarily predicting future events. It was a supernatural ability to proclaim God's truth before the New Testament was written.
Because the early believers had no written New Testament. The Gospels were not yet written, and Paul's letters were not yet recognized as Scripture. God therefore gifted men to speak forth His Word directly to feed and instruct the congregations.
Les Feldick teaches that once the New Testament was completed and available in print, the specific gift of prophecy as a supernatural proclamation was no longer needed. However, the role of pastor/teacher remains a gift.
Watch the Teaching: Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You