The Prophetic Movement Discredited 

But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!

In the wake of the shocking exposure of false prophecy linked with a key hub of the charismatic world, it may be tempting to declare a plague on all those who practise spiritual gifts.

Cover up

Bethel Church in Redding, California, have been forced to repent of their failure to confront Shawn Bolz, who regularly featured on their platforms, when they knew of his deceit.
 
An in-depth investigation has revealed that this much-vaunted ‘prophet’ has fabricated words of knowledge by researching personal details on social media and presenting them as divine revelation.
 
After initially covering up this fakery, Bethel leaders have succumbed to the inevitable pressure to come clean with the following statement: “We take responsibility for the fact that we did not properly and fully bring discipline, closure, or clear and timely communication regarding the gravity of our concerns with Shawn Bolz. We did not tell the truth enough, early enough, long enough, or loud enough, and this is a just criticism. Our hearts are grieved, and embarrassed.”

Biblical prophecy

Sadly, too many Christians who have distanced themselves from those who see the gifts of the Holy Spirit as relevant for today as it ever was in the early church, may well now feel vindicated in their position. But this would be a tragedy, and totally unscriptural. And I urge them not to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.

An in-depth investigation has revealed that this much-vaunted ‘prophet’ has fabricated words of knowledge by researching personal details on social media and presenting them as divine revelation.

Prophecy in particular plays a major role in the Scriptures and in our Judeo-Christian understanding, principally over Jesus and the Jews.
 
Yeshua’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection are all in direct fulfilment of ancient prophecies, as is the resurrection and restoration of Israel as a nation.
 
Furthermore, the prophets help us to understand what’s happening in today’s turbulent world, explaining why Jerusalem becomes the focus of world tension as global conflict increases.

Gifts of the Spirit 

And then there are personal prophecies, dreams and visions foretold by the likes of Joel and repeated in Acts chapter 2, all of which are designed to help us declare the wonders of God.
 
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are our great inheritance – wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, tongues and interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12:8-10).

Furthermore, the prophets help us to understand what’s happening in today’s turbulent world...

As for visions, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia, saying “Come over here and help us.” And it opened the way for the gospel.

Personal prophecy

It’s not about entertainment and show; it’s about building up the body of Christ and advancing the kingdom of God. Forty-five years ago, the Lord spoke to me very clearly as I walked the Pennine hills near my home. I had asked him if I should go ahead with a vision I had to launch an evangelistic newspaper.
 
Using the words of the prophet Isaiah, I heard him say: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news!” (Isa 52:7) I was admiring a magnificent view, but the Lord emphasised that the evangelist’s feet are even more beautiful! That paper, which we called New Life, is still circulating nationally and bearing fruit because it opened the way for the gospel.
 
And when, some time later, I felt frustrated at lack of opportunities to preach, the Lord used a visiting speaker who didn’t know me from Adam to remind me of my calling. Pacing up and down as he preached, he suddenly swivelled round and, pointing directly at me, said: “The Lord says, the pen is mightier than the sword!” I never looked back.

Discernment is also a gift of the Spirit, and we are urged to weigh everything that is spoken

Remember discernment

In the year 2000 my wife Linda had a vision of her wedding (in Cana of Galilee, no less, where Jesus turned water into wine at a marriage feast). It served to prepare her for an event for which, being a single lady in her early 40s, she was not ready. We later met on a blind date and married here in Doncaster a year after the Cana vision.
 
Between us, our walk with the Lord has greatly benefited from personal words of prophecy and knowledge, backing up what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Scriptures.
 
Of course, discernment is also a gift of the Spirit, and we are urged to weigh everything that is spoken. But don’t be robbed of eternal blessing by dismissing the gifts with which God wants to equip us to proclaim the gospel with signs following.