Disciples Of Christ Or Jewish Prophets? A Systematic Theological Reflection On Prophecy Today

In the Old Testament period, apart from the ordinary people, there were Kings, Priests and Prophets. The offices of Kings, Priests and Prophets were absolutely essential in the lives of the Israelites. These were the three theocratic offices established in the covenant at Sinai (Cf. Deuteronomy 17:14–18:22). The Kings were anointed to rule over the Israelites on God’s behalf. Their job was principally to keep the people of Israel on track with regard to the covenant. The King of Israel was a leader during war and the most powerful person, but he was only a steward of the true King, who is God. The Priests and the Prophets were specifically called to be shepherds of souls and messengers of God to the house of Israel. The job description of the priests (all descendants of Levi, Num 3:1-13) was to lead the people to God through prayer and sacrifices. The priests had the honour of maintaining and facilitating the cultic system. The Prophets were called to be God’s Spokespersons. A cursory look at the Bible will reveal several different types of genres. The most prominent amongst them is prophecy. The prophet is called a man of God (1 Samuel 2:27), a servant and a messenger of the Lord (Isaiah 42:19), he is also referred to as a seer (Isaiah 30:10), a man of the Spirit (Hosea 9:7), and a watchman for the people of God (Ezekiel 3:17). The prophet is a chosen vessel for the Lord. Yahweh, the God of Israel would speak directly to his prophet who would in turn address the people of God face to face. They were literally like linguists who amplified the message of God.

Many Christians in Africa see Prophets as soothsayers, individuals who could see into the future and tell us what is going to happen. The fact is, not only do we not have anyone filling such an office in our day, but there was never anyone filling such an office in the past. Foretelling the future never was and never will be the calling of the prophet. The prophet, instead, is called to speak God’s Word to God’s people. God continues to speak through his servants and maidservants, and the message of repentance, forgiveness, hope and eternal life is still relevant in our day. The Word of God is still alive and active; it cuts sharper than any double-edged sword (Cf. Heb. 4:12). Admittedly, a lot has changed in the course of human history. We still have true worshippers who honour God, but they do not do so like the Jews of old. There are still priests who lead the people in prayerful worship, but they do not offer animal sacrifices and burnt offerings. We also have places of worship and magnificent structures which are totally different from the Synagogues of old. A lot has changed in the course of human history, and that includes religion, prophecy and worship.

The question then arises; do we still have “Prophets” like Jeremiah, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Amos, Daniel, Joel etc. in the 21^st century? In the strictest sense, the word “prophet” refers only to a group of seventeen men in ancient Israel whose writings and prophecies are contained in books bearing their names. Certain individuals were also filled with power and the Spirit like Sampson, Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and few others who have no books bearing their names. Before Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a great prophet was also conceived by Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah. John the Baptist served as a powerful prophet and Forerunner who announced the coming of the Messiah (Matt 3:1-3; John 1:29). Jesus referenced John the Baptist as the greatest man ever born of a woman (Matt 11:11). He stood between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant and pointed people to Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “John the Baptist is ‘more than a prophet’ (Lk 7:26). In John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. Jesus himself admits, “The Law and the Prophets lasted until John” (Lk 16:16). John the Baptist therefore completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 719).

I do humbly submit that, in the strict sense, this period of the prophets is now closed. It is also important that we affirm the overlap between Old Testament prophecy and prophecy in our own day. In both instances God’s Word is being proclaimed. In both instances God’s people are being called to repentance. We cannot also take for granted the differences between what happened in the past and what we do today. The Old Testament prophecy has evolved significantly. Prophets in the past were sent as individuals to address a theocratic nation called Israel. Israel was a nation set apart from all other nations of the world, governed by God through a covenant relationship. The prophets served as messengers, intermediaries and spokespersons of God to that one particular nation called Israel. God spoke directly to the prophets of old. At least, that is what we read from sacred scriptures. They were basically the only means or channels of God’s message to the people of Israel. The Old Testament prophets had the singular honour and privilege of bringing God’s word, instructions and warnings directly to the people. However, at the appointed time, the spoken Word became flesh and made His home amongst us according to the Gospel of John (Cf. John 1:14). To borrow the language of the Nicene fathers in the Constantinopolitan Creed, Jesus is “the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made.” Jesus as a Prophet is greater than Moses (Heb. 3:1-6), he is greater than King Solomon, he is greater than Jonah (Matt 12:41-42). The Book of Hebrews brings great clarity, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The presence of Christ brought about a new covenant, a new sacrificial lamb, a new community (the new Israel), a deeper revealed truths about God, and a new relationship. This is a covenant relationship established and sealed with the blood of Jesus at calvary. God´s promises are now to all people and not only to a theocratic nation called Israel. In the 21^st century, messengers of God are called and sent out “to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you….” (Matt. 28:19-20). For all those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Word of God is not only what is written or spoken, but the Word of God is also a person, the Word is Jesus. Indeed, Jesus came principally to fulfil the Law and the Prophets (Matt.5:17), bringing to perfection all that has been said in the Old Covenant. Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh is the image of the invisible God, he is the first born of all creation and he is supreme over all creation. (Cf. Colossians 1:15). Jesus Christ therefore represents the fullness of God’s divine revelation, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:19-20).

Even though the biblical role of prophets has ended with the coming of Christ, Christians of today are still called to be prophets in their lives, and the community of believers, the church has become the mouthpiece of God. We do not have new prophetic messages, but we do have a prophetic message, the message of Christ with regard to the Kingdom of God. These three terms: priest, prophet, and king, have come to symbolize the threefold mission and office of Christ and his Church. Jesus Christ is a King, a Priest and a Prophet. As the eternal King whose kingdom is not of this world, as the eternal High Priest of the new covenant, as someone who came to fulfil the Law and the Prophets, the three theocratic offices which were established in the covenant at Sinai find their ultimate expression and fulfilment in Jesus, the Word made flesh. It therefore means that every baptised christian participates in this threefold office of Christ as king, priest and prophet. After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension, God continued to communicate through chosen vessels to his people. According to Josh Buice, “Although Jesus was the pinnacle of the prophetic age, the baton was now passed to the apostles who came in the power of the Holy Spirit during the early Church and were used to preach and teach God’s truth to God’s people as they were accompanied by miracles, signs, and wonders”.

As disciples of Christ, our prophetic role is totally subordinated to Christ, the Lord. Our mission is to proclaim Christ to the world, making disciples of all nations. We do not produce new revelations; we rather announce the Gospel that has been handed on to us through the apostolic tradition. We can never add to or subtract from that which is given by the Lord Jesus. Whoever claims to be a prophet today has the duty and responsibility to explain to the world the origin of his calling. Those who are calling themselves prophet this and prophet that; who are they? Are they Jews or disciples of Christ? What is the content of the message that they carry? Is it about the Kingdom of God and conversion, or they are just interested in identifying witches and wizards? Are they only interested in who dies tomorrow and who wins an election? What we see and hear are glorified soothsayers and fortune tellers struggling to remain credible. Sometimes their actions and utterances only identify them as 21^st century crystal-gazers. It is time the Christian Council, the Peace Council and the Ghana Charismatic and Pentecostal Council identify such people with the aim of sanitising the house of God. Ghanaians have suffered enough from these clairvoyants, psychics, mediums and sybils who are parading themselves as modern-day prophets. What we need are shepherds of souls, teachers of the Word, credible Evangelizers, Apostles of love, Signposts of holiness and disciples with praying tongues.

Francis Kwabena Gyabaah.
Catholic Diocese of Techiman.