The gift of prophecy in the New Covenant.

摘要

Chapter one surveys recent research, demonstrating different approaches yield different definitions for prophecy, and suggesting a combination of historical, exegetical and biblical-theological methodology.ududChapter two concludes that intertestamental Judaism, the old covenant scriptures and the experiences of Christians formed the background to New Testament thought regarding prophecy, and the scriptures particularly encouraged a hope for widespread prophecy in the eschaton.ududChapter three examines new covenant prophecy in the gospels, finding an unprecedented increase in the Spirit’s work, with more expected. Spirit-empowerment and prophecy are linked to speech that testifies to Jesus.ududChapter four identifies two types of prophecy in Acts. One is a consequence of an eschatological outpouring of the Spirit on all people giving them prophetic ability to witness to Jesus, the second is modelled after old covenant prophets — though with a contemporary twist.ududChapter five assesses prophecy in 1 Corinthians, concluding that prophecy is an intelligible Spirit-empowered revelation of the knowledge of God’s salvation and the mystery of Christ, that may be given to any believer.ududChapter six examines the relationship between tongues and prophecy in Corinth, finding a close relationship between the two, with language the only difference. Tongues is Spirit-empowered speech uttered in the preferred language of the speaker, which is unknown to the majority of the congregation and therefore requires interpretation. The élite’s ability to speak in Latin gave social status, but it was not understood by most Greeks in the church.ududChapter seven examines prophecy in several New Testament books, principally Revelation. The two witnesses in Revelation 11 demonstrate the church’s prophetic mandate: ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Revelation 19:10).ududThe thesis concludes by defining new covenant prophecy, ‘Spirit-empowered speech, promised to every believer, that witnesses to Jesus by revealing the knowledge of God’s salvation and the mystery of Christ’.