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Prophecy in the New Testament Church - and Today

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Prophecy in the New Testament Church - and Today CHAPTER FIFTEEN PROPHECY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH - AND TODAY The manifestations of prophecy in the New Testament church are best understood in the light of their background in Israel and in the mission of Jesus. They may then more clearly shed their own light on the possible presence and meaning of prophetic proclamation in the church today. The present chapter will, it is hoped, further the discussion of this important subject. To establish the viewpoints that are here rather briefly presented, I must refer the reader to other publications where the various issues are taken up in detail. 1 ANTECEDENTS TO CHRISTIAN PROPHECY Christian prophecy is rooted in Israel's experience in which God revealed his mind to his people through divinely chosen individuals. As such, it has a number of characteristics in common with Old Testament prophecy. It is viewed, however, as an eschatological fulfilment of biblical promises (Acts 2: 16-21; Joel 2:28-32), and it is more closely related to later Old Testament and intertestamental writings in which certain modifications of the classical forms of prophecy occur.2 Two such modifications are the inspired exposition of earlier Scriptures, itself understood as prophecy, and the increas- ing affinity of the gift of prophecy with the gift of divine wisdom. 3 The latter appears in the Wisdom of Solomon, for example, where wisdom is said to reside in the 'holy prophet' Moses; and at Qumran 1 Cf. E. E. Ellis, Pauline 7heology: Ministry and Society, Lanham MD 41998, 26-52, 116f.; idem, Prophecy and Hermeneutic in Early Christianity, Grand Rapids 41993, 147-236. 2 According to some ancient Jewish writers prophecy had ceased before the time of Christ, but other writers witness to its continuation: cf. R. Meyer and G. Friedrich, '1tpocpft~llC;,' TDNT 6 (1968), 815-861; E. Cothenet, 'Prophetisme dans Ie Nouveau Testament,' DBS 8 (1972), 1224-1233. See E. E. Ellis, the Old Testament in Early Christianity, Tiibingen and Grand Rapids 1992, 49f. 3 Cf. E. E. Ellis, "'Wisdom" and "Knowledge" in I Corinthians,' Prophecy (note 1), 45-62. PROPHECY IN THE NT CHURCH - AND TODAY 201 Daniel the wise man is regarded as a prophet.4 This development is pronounced in the apocalyptic writings, the literary expression of a movement that is probably to be viewed as the child of both prophecy and wisdom. It is especially evident when the apocalyptic seers combine, within the context of a revelation of final and cos- mic dimension, the prophetic vision and word of knowledge with the wise discernment of its meaning. Prophecy and wisdom manifest a growing convergence also because of the increasing association or identification of both with Israel's Scriptures. From this perspective prophecy came to include not only a divine word or vision or discernment but also an inspired, prophetic exposition and current application of earlier biblical prophecies.5 This view is reflected in the rabbinic tradition where the prophets are regarded as the oldest expositors of the law.6 It is similarly implied in the inspired exposition of Daniel and of the wise teachers of Qumran/ the maskilim, who appear to be the direct antecedentsB of the Christian prophets and, in important respects, of Jesus as well. JESUS AS PROPHET Jesus is identified in the Gospels as a prophet, usually because of his miraculous powers but also in relation to his destined crucifixion,9 his supernatural discernmentlO and his synagogue teaching. I I The synagogue teaching included, in accordance with the custom, the exposition of Scripture and was characterized by authority (E~o'\)cria) and wisdom (cro<pia).12 Since this kind of exposition was recognized to be within the proper role of a prophet,I3 it may have contributed to the conviction that Jesus was a prophet. 4 Wis 7:27; 11:1; 4Qflor 2:3. 5 Ellis (note 2), 46-50. But see D. E. Avne, Revelation, 3 vols. Dallas 1998, I, lxxxiiff. 6 Meyer and Friedrich (note 2), 817. 7 E.g. Dan 9:2; lQpHab 7:3f. 8 Probably to be included within the same apocalyptic sector of Judaism are John the Baptist, who is recognized as a prophet (Mt 11 :9; 14:5), and those prophetic voices who herald the birth of Jesus in Luke (1 :46, 67; 2:25-32, 36). 9 Lk 13:33f. On the association of prophecy and martyrdom, cf. Meyer and Friedrich (note 2), 781f., 834f. 10 Lk 7:39;Jn 4:19. 11 Lk 4:24. Cf. M. Hengel, Ike Charismatic Leader and his Followers, Edinburgh 1981, 63-71. 12 Mk 1:2lf.; 6:2. 13 Cf. E. E. Ellis, 'The Role of the Christian Prophet in Acts,' Prophery (note 1), 132-138. .
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