Testing Those Who Claim the Prophetic Gift

Looking to the future, Mrs. White wrote in 1890:HONL 7.3

There will be those who will claim to have visions. When God gives you clear evidence that the vision is from Him, you may accept it, but do not accept it on any other evidence; for people are going to be led more and more astray in foreign countries and in America. The Lord wants His people to act like men and women of sense. ^{16Ibid., emphasis supplied}

Such counsel, though timely, is not new, for it merely echoes the New Testament admonition that we not accept at face value—gullibly and uncritically—everyone that comes along with such claims.HONL 8.1

Luke declared that the Berean Christians were “more noble” than their counterparts at Thessalonica in that the former did not tacitly accept even Paul’s teachings (who possessed the two highest gifts of the Holy Spirit: apostleship and prophecy—see 1 Corinthians 12:28). Rather, they insisted on checking out everything first, validating Paul’s doctrine by their Bible, the Old Testament Scriptures.HONL 8.2

While the Bereans were genuinely open-minded (“they received the word with all readiness of mind”), they nevertheless “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. Paul would doubtless have been among the first to praise them. Perhaps it is significant that while there is no Epistle to the Bereans extant, there are two epistles to the Thessalonians.HONL 8.3

Many Bible scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was among the very earliest (if not the very first) of the New Testament books to be written. Some date it less than twenty years after Christ’s resurrection and fifteen years before Mark’s Gospel was penned. ^{17Raymond Flower, “Historical Introduction” to H. V. Morton’s, In Search of the Holy Land (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1979), 9. See also The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:225(1980). (Cited hereafter as 1 BC) (2 BC, etc.)} The epistle known today as 1 John-one of the very last books of the New Testament to be produced was written forty to fifty years later. ^{187 BC 625} And from first to last runs a common theme: Anyone arising within the Christian community claiming the prophetic gift must submit to testing by that community.HONL 8.4

Said Paul: Don’t quench the Holy Spirit (by neglecting or dishonoring any of His gifts); don’t despise prophecy (one of the most important of them); but, instead, “prove all things.” See 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. Anytime that which is thus tested proves genuine and valuable, hang on to it!HONL 9.1

Half a century later John agreed: Beloved Christian friend, don’t gullibly, uncritically believe and accept every “spirit” that comes along. Why? “Because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1. In addition to the genuine Holy Spirit, Satan, that great unholy spirit, is at work. Both can—and do—work miracles. Supernatural phenomena can hardly be a reliable test of validity. Therefore, “try” the spirits—convene an inquiry, hail them into court. And bring evidence to bear. Then—and only then—decide.HONL 9.2

Notice what the prophets said:HONL 9.3

John: “Try the spirits.” 1 John 4:1.

Paul: “Prove all things.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Ellen White: Demand “clear evidence.”

One may, therefore, logically inquire at this point, What constitutes “clear evidence”? If, as Mrs. White solemnly declared, false prophets would bring “more danger to His [God’s] disciples than would persecution,” ^{19Evangelism, 359.} how may they be detected? And how can their teachings be validated, or authenticated?HONL 9.4