Hearing His Voice #99

[Philip] had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

Acts 21:9

It’s often argued that the gift of prophecy no longer applies to the church because the Bible is complete. Therefore, the gift isn’t needed. But it’s pretty clear from Scripture that God spoke many things that weren’t included in the Word. They were “extra-biblical”—specific direction that didn’t apply to the canon of Scripture and would never be added to it. Hebrew Scripture mentions the existence of groups of prophets—hundreds of them—whose names we will never know and whose prophetic utterances were not intended to be written down. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul urges all of his readers to seek the gift of prophecy, not so they can add to Scripture, but so they can know God’s specific voice in the moment. Here, Acts tells us that Philip had four daughters who spoke prophetically. Their words did not come from Scripture, nor would they ever be added to it. But they were words from God. Apparently, He likes to communicate messages beyond the realm of the written Word.

Throughout the Bible, we see the prophetic gift in and among people who needed specific direction for specific situations. They had Hebrew Scripture and intimately knew God’s general will for His people, and they clung to that revelation tightly. But they needed more. They needed to know what to do in a certain set of circumstances. They needed God to speak. And He did—through normal, prophetic people who could hear Him.

Prophetic declarations were not unusual in the New Testament era, and there’s no reason they should be today. God still has things to say. The Holy Spirit lives within us and helps us apply the Word specifically to our lives. He gives us relevant interpretations. The gift of hearing God can certainly be abused, and often has been; but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a legitimate gift. It’s always appropriate to listen for God’s voice.

Holy Spirit, let me hear You. I seek the gift of hearing and telling about what I’ve heard. This is Your promise to us; I accept it wholeheartedly.