What Adventists Believe About the Gift of Prophecy
Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that God bestows upon humanity, as explained in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4 and Romans 12. A person with this gift receives special insight from the Holy Spirit so they can share messages from God with others.
Seventh-day Adventists embrace the significance of all the spiritual gifts, including prophecy, recognizing anyone can be used in this way if so moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy
In Romans 4, we find that everyone has been given a measure of faith, and that we each have a gift different from one another. Some have the gift of prophecy, some are called into other forms of ministry, some teach and some cheerfully serve and encourage others.
Just like all the spiritual gifts we can be given, the gift of prophecy is relevant and important for this current time. Having the gift of prophecy means a person receives messages or insight from God. The most important thing about any spiritual gift is that it opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work on others’ hearts.
Ellen G. White Recognized
Just as the Bible places great importance on the spiritual gift of prophecy, Seventh-day Adventists believe this remains just as true today. This gift can be used any time to edify and warn God’s people, giving guidance on how to live now and how to prepare for the coming events and the end of the world.
One of the most prominent Seventh-day Adventist Church founders, Ellen G. White, demonstrated the gift of prophecy and met the criteria of the biblical tests of a prophet.
Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the Church. She also made clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. Her role was to point people back to the Bible—never to replace it or supersede it.
The spiritual gift of prophecy has special meaning within the Adventist denomination because of the role it played in the formation of its history. Adventists look forward to when we will see many more people being used by the Holy Spirit in this manner, as we draw closer to Jesus’ Second Coming. Learn more at Adventist.org.
By Southwestern Union Communication and Adventist.org
SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST BELIEF #18:
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
The Scriptures testify that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and we believe it was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction and correction to the church. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.
(Num. 12:6; 2 Chron. 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9)
Adventist.org/gift-of-prophecy