TESTING THE PROPHETIC SERIES
Testing A Prophetic Voice
In a 3rd century document titled The Apostolic Tradition instruction was given with how to deal with people that claimed to have a spiritual gift. The Apostolic Tradition is often attributed to a man named Hippolytus, but was probably a collection of instructions from various influential church figures at the time. The document is comprised of instructions ranging from ordination of priests and bishops, to the layout of how the Eucharist should be administered and how community meals should look. The document has this to say about those who consider themselves revelatory in their gifting:
“If somebody appears to have received the gift of healing or revelation, a hand is not laid on him, for the facts of the matter will reveal whether he has spoken the truth.”
The “facts of the matter” simply meant was the thing true, right or accurate. That prophetic ministry was alive and well in the first few hundred years of the church is not a question up for debate. There are numerous references to the common expression of prophecy in these types of documents. In another church order document from the 2nd century, space was given for prophetic utterances during the daily service for prayer and praise:
“…And the people should say: “Amen.” If anyone speaks prophetic utterances he should speak. He will have a reward.”
The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Apostles from the 3rd century appoints certain women to be set aside for the purpose of revelatory ministry:
“Three widows should be appointed. Two are to continue in prayer for all who are in temptation and for revelations concerning whatever is necessary. One is to assist women who are being troubled by sickness.”
While we will look at prophecy throughout church history at a later time, these are all sound, healthy principles to help prophetic ministry thrive. So, with codified practices like this, they never had any problems, right? Right?
Let’s explore a few controversial moments in early church history to find out…
(Stay tuned for our next post)