Testing a True Prophet in the Early Church
Growing up in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, my theology as a Christian has always had an openness to miracles and gifts of the Spirit. But it was when I went to college that I began to really experience direct Charismatic worship. Testimonies and prayers for healing were not new to me, but tongues and prophetic words were. There were good experiences and not so good experiences during that season.
Looking back on it, I still firmly hold to a Continuationist theology, but my discernment has increased. Seeing prophets idolizing Donald Trump, blatantly twisting Scripture, and engaging in American nationalism could only be seen as fringe for so long. At a certain point, I realized that while these heresies by no means spoke for many Charismatic churches/ministries, these red flags also weren’t excluded to a minority. They continue to be very influential to this day in many church circles.
However, a common response I heard from Charismatic brothers and sisters was that miracles happened in those sketchy environments. How could someone be a false prophet if they’ve gotten some prophecies right? How could someone be a false teacher if divine healings actually happened?
With that in mind, I want to specifically look a little into prophecy, and how the early Church discerned a true prophet from a false one. The gifts of the Spirit were openly testified through the 2nd century, and we find examples of miracles in both the Apostolic Fathers and the 2nd century Apologists like Justin Martyr. For further study, I would recommend Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church by Ronald A.N. Kydd.
In the case of prophecy, we’ll first spend this blog looking at two times instructions were given to Christians on how to discern a true prophet. Then we will examine someone from the Apostolic Fathers who prophesied, and examine their character.
The Didache
We’ve previously looked into this passage in another blog, so we’ll just quickly recap here. In chapter 11 of The Didache, Christians are instructed how to host a traveling prophet, as well as discern the fruit of a true prophet.
If the prophet has a word to share, the congregation must be willing to hear them out fairly. (Didache 11.1, 7) As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, they should not despise prophecy. However, after the prophet shares a word, the church is to discern the validity of the prophesy given. Here are some examples The Didache gives on how to discern:
· If the traveling prophet stays with you longer than three days, they are taking advantage of your hospitality and are a false prophet. (11.5)
· If the prophet asks for more food than their basic needs (bread), or asks for money, they are a false prophet. (11.6, 12)
· If a prophet does not practice what they preach, their testimony holds no weight. (11.10)
In many ways, this seems to fit similar character to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and the missionary work of the Apostles. A simplistic living, asking for little, and living out God’s commands. What seems to be most discerned is the character of a prophet more than the prophecies themselves.
The Shepherd of Hermas
In chapter 43 of Hermas, the titular character is told by an angelic messenger how to discern a true prophet from a false prophet. First, Hermas is warned a false prophet will speak as a people pleaser, ready to answer any questions given to them, and the answer they give will be what the person wants to hear regardless if it’s sinful. (Hermas 43.2)
A pretty disturbing note made by the messenger is that despite the false prophet’s deception, the Devil may speak some truth through the word being given. (Hermas 43.3) Hermas is warned to stay away from such prophets, as they will encourage wickedness and manipulate others, changing their minds and being inconsistent with the prophesies they give. (Hermas 43.4) Hermas is warned false prophets exalt themselves, make money prophesying, and align with sinful company. (Hermas 43.12-13)
So what about a true prophet?
“First, he who has the Divine Spirit proceeding from above is meek, and peaceable, and humble, and refrains from all iniquity and the vain desire of this world, and contents himself with fewer wants than those of other men, and when asked he makes no reply; nor does he speak privately, nor when man wishes the spirit to speak does the Holy Spirit speak, but it speaks only when God wishes it to speak.”
Once again we see the character of the prophet being crucial to discern if the Holy Spirit speaks through them. The prophet also speaks publicly with the congregation, and not in private. Ronald Kydd points out the description in Hermas 43 fits well with Paul’s descriptions in 1st Corinthians 12-14. (Kydd, 1984, Pg. 20) While The Shepherd of Hermas does have some odd passages and controversial theology, its warnings of false prophets seem to be an accurate portrayal of how the early Church discerned prophets in their congregations.
Ignatius of Antioch
In his letter to the Philadelphians, Ignatius stresses his instruction for church unity does not come from his own conviction, but from the Spirit Himself. We’ve discussed this prophetic word before, but to summarize, Ignatius shares the voice of God told him to avoid division, seek church unity, submit to the bishop, and imitate Christ. (Ignatius to Philadelphians 7.1-2)
We don’t really know enough about Ignatius to know if this was common. Was Ignatius both bishop and prophet, or was he a bishop that received a prophetic word one crucial time before his martyrdom? Whether or not Ignatius experienced this before, he certainly shows confidence in this passage that this was the voice of God and does not apologize for preaching it.
I believe what makes this prophetic word credible is comparing it to the rest of Ignatius’ writings, and the character he presents. The overarching theme of all Ignatius’ letters is to flee from division, seek unity, and follow Christ’s commands. The prophetic word is consistent with what he has been preaching, and while his writings on the bishop have been controversial, the prophetic word itself isn’t (in my opinion) inconsistent with the New Testament’s teaching on church unity.
The character of Ignatius also shows humility and lowliness. Despite being a bishop and elevating the authority of bishops in his letters, he was careful not to overstep his own authority or abuse it. (Ignatius to Romans 4.3) He gladly surrendered his life, hoping to imitate Christ in suffering. (Ignatius to Romans 3.2) Polycarp saw his fellow bishop as an example of how to live righteously with patience and encouraged the Philippians to follow Ignatius’ example. (Polycarp to Philippians 9.1)
Conclusion
It can honestly be difficult to not be a little cynical when hearing about prophetic words today. But despite the damage that has been done by false prophets (including those who had sincere intentions), it doesn’t change the truth of God’s Spirit moving today.
My encouragement to the Church is to be vulnerable and open to prophetic words, but apply the discernment Christ calls us to use, not our own.
“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit…
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to the, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’” -Matthew 7:15-16a, 21-23 (CSB)
Bibliography
Schaff, P. (2016). The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene, and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers. Toronto, Canada.
Kydd, R. (1984). Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church: The Gifts of the Spirit in the First 300 Years. Peabody, MA. Hendrickson Academic.
Schoedel, W.R. (1985). Ignatius of Antioch: A Commentary on the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch. Philahelphia, PA. Fortress Press.
Wilhite, S. (2019). The Didache: A Commentary. Eugene, OR. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Thumbnail Image: “The Meeting of St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Polycarp of Smyrna” - By Giacomo Triga
https://www.christianiconography.info/sanClemente/ignatiusTrigia.html