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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Words Of Knowledge And Prophecy

Early Christians taught that prophecy and words of knowledge were real gifts of the Holy Spirit, with Paul’s letters as the main base and writers like Clement of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Gregory Thaumaturgus all echoing that theme. They also tied prophecy to the same Spirit who gives the word of wisdom, discernment of spirits, and other gifts.

Some writers went further and said prophecy included foreknowledge or the understanding of prophecy, while others stressed that prophecy belongs to the church and is not to be despised. The evidence is broad for prophecy and the word of knowledge as spiritual gifts, but thinner for a detailed early Christian theory of how a “word of knowledge” worked in practice.

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Early Christian Beliefs About Words Of Knowledge And Prophecy

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1 1 Corinthians 12:8 2 1 Corinthians 14:1 3 1 Corinthians 14:32 4 Romans 12:6 5 1 Corinthians 13:9 6 1 Thessalonians 5:20 7 1 Corinthians 14:3 8 1 Corinthians 12:10 9 1 Corinthians 13:2 10 1 Corinthians 12:1

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14 references

Supporting Passages

1 Corinthians 12:8 primary

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 14:1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 14:32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Romans 12:6

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

Bible passage used for prophecy according to faith

1 Corinthians 13:9

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Bible passage on partial prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:3

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 12:10

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:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 12:1

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 14:39

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 14:31

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Jeremiah 28:9

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.

Bible test for true prophecy