Early Christian Views on Prophecy

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

For prophecy is full of knowledge (gnosis), inasmuch as it was given by the Lord, and again explained by the Lord to the apostles.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Again, prophecy is foreknowledge; and knowledge the understanding of prophecy;

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

...d the prophecies that were not yet understood, they had a ruler, as foretold by the holy and divine Spirit of prophecy through Moses, "that a ruler would not fail the Jews until He comes for whom the kingdom was reserved" (for Judah was the ancestor of the Jews, who are named after him); and after Christ appeared, you began to govern the Jews and took possession of all their land. The prophecy, "He shall be the expectation of the nations," indicated that people from all nations would look for Him to come again. This you can see for yourselves and be convinced by the facts. For among all races of people, there are some who look for Him who was crucified in Judea, and after whose crucifixion, the land was promptly handed over to you as spoils of war. The prophecy, "binding His foal to the vine and washing His robe in the blood of the grape," symbolized what would happen to Christ and what He would do. For a foal was bound to a vine at a village's entrance, and He instructed His acquaintances to bring it to Him; when it was brought, He mounted it and entered Jerusalem, where the grand temple of the Jews was, which was later destroyed by you. Following this, He was crucified to fulf

Hippolytus, Connection to 2 Peter 1:21 Supporting witness

and when moved by Him the prophets announced what God willed. For they spake not of their own power

2 Peter 1:21 Direct teaching

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...tic Spirit. Truly wretched individuals! They wish to be false prophets, but they reject the gift of prophecy from the Church, acting like the Encratites who, due to hypocrites, distance themselves from the community of believers. We must also conclude that these men (the Montanists) cannot accept the Apostle Paul either. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul clearly talks about prophetic gifts and recognizes both men and women prophesying in the Church. Sinning in these matters against the Spirit of God, they commit the unforgivable sin. Meanwhile, those from Valentinus are utterly reckless, boasting that they have more Gospels than exist while presenting their own writings. They're so audacious that they call their recent work "the Gospel of Truth," although it bears no resemblance to the Apostolic Gospels, making their Gospel full of blasphemy. For if what they've published is the Gospel of Truth, yet completely differs from what the apostles handed down, it's clear, as the Scriptures themselves affirm, that what is handed down from the apostles should no longer be deemed the Gospel of Truth. But these Gospels alone are true and reliable, allowing neither an increase nor decr

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...he shows the differences among the perfect. And again, on the other hand: "The manifestation of the Spirit is given for our profit. For to one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith through the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing through the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. And all these are worked by the one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Since this is so, the prophets are perfect in prophecy, the righteous in righteousness, and the martyrs in confession, and others in preaching. This does not mean that they do not share in the common virtues, but that they are especially skilled in the things to which they are appointed. For what sensible person would say that a prophet was not righteous? Why? Did not righteous men like Abraham prophesy?

Asterius Urbanus, The Extant Writings of Asterius Urbanus Supporting witness

For the apostle deems that the gift of prophecy should abide in all the Church up to the time of the final advent.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...For good reason He also said to all of us together, when we had been made complete concerning those gifts given by Him through the Spirit, “Now these signs will follow those who have believed in my name: they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will by no means hurt them. They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover,” Mark 16:17-18. These gifts were first given to us, the apostles, when we were about to preach the Gospel to every creature. Afterward, they were necessarily given to those who had believed through us. They were not for the benefit of those who performed them, but to convince unbelievers, so that those whom the word did not persuade might be put to shame by the power of signs. For signs are not for us who believe, but for unbelievers, both Jews and Gentiles. For it is no profit to us to cast out demons, but to those who are cleansed in this way by the power of the Lord. As the Lord Himself teaches us somewhere, and shows, saying, “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven,” Luke 10:20. Since the form

1 Corinthians 12:10 Direct teaching

to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Romans 12:6 Supporting witness

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

1 Corinthians 14:22 Supporting witness

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

1 Corinthians 12:28 Supporting witness

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Supporting witness

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:39 Supporting witness

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

...ft is not the work of any god other than the One who is proved to have given the promise. Here is a prophecy of Isaiah: "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a flower shall spring up from his root; and upon Him shall rest the Spirit of the Lord." After this he lists the special gifts of that same Spirit: "the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of religion. And with the fear of the Lord shall the Spirit fill Him." Isaiah 11:1-3 In this figure of a flower he shows that Christ was to arise out of the rod that sprang from the stem of Jesse. In other words, He would come from the virgin of the line of David, the son of Jesse. In this Christ the whole substantia of the Spirit would have to rest. He does not mean that this would be some later addition coming to Him who always was, even before His incarnation, the Spirit of God. So you cannot argue from this that the prophecy refers to that Christ who, as a mere man from the line only of David, was to receive the Spirit of his God. (The prophet says,) on the contrary, that from the time when the true Christ appeared in the flesh as the flower foretold, r

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

..., I say to you, and more than a prophet.” Luke 7:26 But thanks be to God that, even if the grace of prophecy was taken from the people, a grace greater than all that was poured out among the Gentiles through our Savior Jesus Christ, who became free among the dead. For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He lives through the power of God. 2 Corinthians 13:4 Consider also the passage in which clean and unclean foods are discussed. Prophecy is despised when it is brought in on a platter instead of food. But the Jews do not have the head of prophecy, since they reject the crown of all prophecy, Christ Jesus. And the prophet is beheaded because of an oath, in a case where it was better to break the oath than to keep it. For the guilt of rashly taking an oath, and then breaking it because it was rash, is not equal to the guilt of a prophet’s death. And he is not beheaded for this reason alone, but also because of those who sat at the table with him, who preferred that the prophet should be killed rather than live. They recline at the same table and feast together with the evil word that rules over the Jews, who celebrate his birth. At times you may apply this passage well to

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

...Romans 16:25–26, "Now, to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but is now made manifest by the prophetic Scriptures and the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ." For if the mystery concealed of old is made manifest to the Apostles through the prophetic writings, and if the prophets, being wise men, understood what proceeded from their own mouths, then the prophets knew what was made manifest to the Apostles. But to many it was not revealed, as Paul says, Ephesians 3:5, "In other generations it was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs and members of the same body." Here an objection may be raised by those who do not share the view we have put forward, and it becomes important to define what is meant by the word "revealed." It is capable of two meanings. First, that the thing in question is understood. Second, if a prophecy is being spoken of, that it is accomplished. Now the fact that the Gentiles were to be fellow-heirs and members of the same body, and par

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

...ys, were fanatics and mob leaders, and who claimed that they had come from heaven, unless it were clearly shown that He had been born in Bethlehem, or, as another might say, had come forth from Bethlehem to be the leader of the people. With respect to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, if anyone desires, after the prophecy of Micah and after the history recorded in the Gospels by the disciples of Jesus, to have additional evidence from other sources, let him know that, in agreement with the narrative in the Gospel regarding His birth, the cave where He was born is shown at Bethlehem, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling-clothes. And this sight is greatly talked of in the surrounding places, even among the enemies of the faith, it being said that in this cave was born that Jesus who is worshipped and reverenced by the Christians. Moreover, I think that before the coming of Christ, the chief priests and scribes of the people, because of the distinctness and clearness of this prophecy, taught that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. And this opinion had also become widespread among the Jews. For this reason, it is related that Herod, when inquiring of the

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

...dn't be what He appeared to be. I've already noted that Abraham and the other prophets saw Him in a prophetic way, foretelling in visions what was to come. If such a being has now appeared outwardly different from His real essence, then a prophetic vision has been given to people, and we must anticipate another advent where He will truly be as He was seen in prophecy. I've also demonstrated that claiming He only appeared outwardly without receiving anything from Mary is the same. He wouldn't have genuinely possessed flesh and blood, by which He redeemed us, unless He embodied the ancient form of Adam. Therefore, the followers of Valentinus are mistaken in their teaching, as they seek to exclude the flesh from salvation and disregard what God has created.

Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness

And so, since prophecy has been fulfilled through His advent — that is, through the nativity, which we have above commemorated, and the passion, which we have evidently explained — that is the reason withal why Daniel said, Vision and prophet were sealed;

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

And that the Spirit of prophecy might signify to us that He who suffers these things has an ineffable origin, and rules His enemies, He spake thus: “His generation who shall declare?

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

and, seeing it through the spirit of prophecy, he rejoiced.

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

...the seed of David according to the flesh, determined to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for His name’s sake.” For God promised beforehand His own gospel through the prophets, the prophets being His ministers and having their message to speak about Him through whom. And again, God gave grace and apostleship to Paul and to the others for the obedience of faith among all the nations, and He gave this to them through Jesus Christ the Savior, for the “through whom” belonged to Him. And the Apostle Paul says in the Epistle to the Hebrews: “At the end of the days He spoke to us in His Son, whom He made the heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages,” showing us that God made the ages through His Son. The “through whom,” when the ages were being made, belonged to the Only-begotten. Thus, if all things were made, as in this passage also, through the Word, then they were not made by the Word, but by One stronger and greater than He. And who else could this be but the Father? Now if, as we have seen

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

2. For as the blessed prophets were made, so to speak, eyes for us, they foresaw through faith the mysteries of the word, and became ministers of these things also to succeeding generations, not only reporting the past, but also announcing I the present and the future, so that the prophet might not appear to be one only for the time being, but might also predict the future for all generations, and so be reckoned a (true) prophet.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

It is our practice, indeed, to make use of the words of the prophets, who demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ predicted by them, and who show from the prophetic writings the events in the Gospels regarding Jesus have been fulfilled.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...kative, and lives in the midst of many luxuries and many other delusions, and takes rewards for his prophecy. And if he does not receive rewards, he does not prophesy. Can, then, the Divine Spirit take rewards and prophesy? It is not possible for the prophet of God to do this. But prophets of this kind are possessed by an earthly spirit. Then it never comes near an assembly of righteous men, but avoids them. And it keeps company with doubters and the vain, and prophesies to them in a corner, and deceives them, speaking to them, according to their desires, mere empty words, for they are empty to whom it gives its answers. For the empty vessel, when placed among the empty, is not crushed, but they match one another. When, therefore, it comes into an assembly of righteous men who have a Spirit of Divinity, and they offer prayer, that man is made empty, and the earthly spirit flees from him in fear, and that man is made dumb and is completely crushed, being unable to speak. For if you pack a storehouse tightly with wine or oil, and put an empty jar in the midst of the vessels of wine or oil, you will find that jar empty as when you placed it there, if you wish to clear the storehous

Asterius Urbanus, The Extant Writings of Asterius Urbanus Supporting witness

But the same arrogant spirit taught them to revile the Church universal under heaven, because that false spirit of prophecy found neither honour from it nor entrance into it.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

For prophecy is a prediction of things future, that is, a setting forth beforehand of those things which shall be afterwards.

Jeremiah 23:32 Direct teaching

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.

Zechariah 13:4 Supporting witness

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

Micah 2:11 Supporting witness

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

Ezekiel 13:16 Supporting witness

the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 28:9 Supporting witness

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

Ezekiel 13:2 Supporting witness

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

Ezekiel 13:3 Supporting witness

Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Deuteronomy 13:2 Background

And if there arise within thee a prophet, or one who dreams a dream, and he gives thee a sign or a wonder,