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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About The Montanists And Prophecy

Early Christian writers often treated the Montanists as a false prophecy movement that claimed too much for its leaders and pushed teachings outside the wider church. Irenaeus says they rejected the church’s gift of prophecy and the promised Paraclete, while Asterius Urbanus calls the movement a "new prophecy" that should be called false prophecy.

Later writers like Tertullian and Cyprian still connected the movement to prophecy, but their own references also show the controversy was about whether those claims were faithful or deceptive. The evidence is broad on early rejection of Montanist prophetic claims, but it is thinner and more mixed on whether all early Christians agreed about how prophecy should continue in the church.

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Key Passages

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How to Study The Montanists And Prophecy

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Scripture Map

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31 references

Foundation Texts

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

States prophecy comes as men are moved by the Holy Spirit.

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

Commands prophecy according to faith.

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Lists prophecy as a spiritual gift.

Supporting Passages

Despise not prophesyings.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.