Copyright 2015 Theresa Harvard Johnson
(NOTE: This article is used specifically in our courses in The School of the Scribe. It’s intent is not to outline “all” the distinctions between Old Covenant and New Covenant prophets but to show that we are indeed talking about two separate and distinct regimes of prophets in the Bible – one that extends from the first covenant and the second that was released by Christ’s mantle in the new.
The prophets of the times of Torah existed under a different dispensation from New Covenant prophets. They share functions, but the distinctions are worth exploring, studying so that we can grasp the better way.
The truths shared here are very basic and are intended to be viewed as such. Also note, that the intent of this post is not to criticize any particular teaching or to say other schools of thought are wrong — but to shed light on Christ as the ultimate example of our prophetic pattern within the office.
As we talk about SCRIBAL PROPHETS, we do so in understanding the role they play in the NEW COVENANT specifically! It is critical that we take these truths into consideration when teaching concerning the “office” of the prophet. How we view these differences will clearly impact our calling. I believe that a lack of understanding in this area is what has led to so much confusion within the Body, especially among scribal prophets.)
Colossians 1:19-20 NIV, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Christ), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Today’s prophets are walking under the New Covenant given to us by God through the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. While Christ did not demolish integral concepts and ideas, the way of life for the prophets did change — drastically. The two most dramatic changes included: (1) the complete nullification of the Levitical priesthood (Rom. 8, Hebrews 8); and (2) the focus shifted from building one nation based on a biological heritage to include everyone and anyone who would receive the message of the Gospel – no pedigree required (Gal 3).
Consider this for a moment: The entire historical setting and backdrop for the ministry of Old Covenant prophets centered on the formation, strengthening and building of “one nation” at the time – not all people. This fact alone should bring some perspective and should be seen as a critical distinction between the New Covenant and Old Covenant prophets. The vision for a global congregation didn’t expand to the Gentile nations in its fullness “until” Christ’s covenant making assignment was completed on the cross and the congregation received the fullness of Holy Spirit. We can get a greater perspective of this by examining the outpouring of Holy Spirit in Acts 2; and then glimpsing the ministries of Peter and Paul when they were separated for specific work unto the Jews and Gentiles respectively (Galatians 2:8).
While some teach Torah as if it was for everyone during that time, the truth of the matter is that it wasn’t. The faith was centered on one nation of people, chosen of God and whom God was building unto himself. It was also a time in which God was micromanaging the people (meaning intervening directly), involving himself in every single aspect of Kingdom business without a mediator (Christ) or the ultimate helper (Holy Spirit) existing full-time in the earth. For example, he told the patriarch’s what to do day by day; and would sometimes leave his throne to deal with the things in the earth.
While God is still intimately involved in our lives – he has left the micromanaging business as we saw it in the Old Covenant. The thrust of his involvement now is through the delegated authority given to us by Christ through the work of Holy Spirit at his leading and under the influence of our choices and prayer in the earth.
In light of this, there are some dramatic distinctions between Old Covenant and New Covenant prophets that are worth noting. The greatest of which rests on a very simple premise: Old Covenant prophets operated within the confines of the Old Covenant laws and patterns; and New Covenant Prophets operate within the confines of a New Covenant release of grace and the work of Holy Spirit – one was exclusive and the other is inclusive. In other words, there are some operations and administrations of ministry that were specific to prophets under Torah; and there are some operations and administrations of ministry that are exclusive to prophets under the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean one is to be regarded as greater than the other; but that God expanded his vision for the ministry of the prophets.
I’ve listed a few of those differences below:
·Old Covenant prophets did not have to have their prophetic words judged in the sense of how prophecy must be judged in the New Covenant. In the Old Covenant, the prophets of God was not subject to “other prophets” judging their Words. The primary challenge, however, was being able to discern a false prophet from a true prophet. In the New Covenant, all prophecy is subject to be judged by other prophets. In addition, believers are exhorted to examine everything they hear under the weight of God’s word. There is no longer any “blind” prophecies going forth in the name of the Lord from men in this sense. (Note: This does not mean there is no order or protocol. I am speaking specifically from a then and now perspective.)
· Everyone did not have access to God or permission to hear God’s voice directly under the Old Covenant. In other words, there was no internal revelation of God in the sense of the indwelling of Holy Spirit. As a result, Prophets of Old were assigned to people groups, people, nations, etc. to hear on behalf of and as the principle prophet sent to speak to them. There is no single voice for any people group, nation or person in this sense under the New Covenant. In fact, the New Covenant ministry of the Gospel was a “whosoever will” type of thrust. All believers have access to Holy Spirit and the scripture declares that we can only know and prophesy in “part” (1 Corinthians 13:9).
· Prophets of old were not required to work together in community as it relates to walking out their office. Some did (like Aaron & Miriam), but it wasn’t something that was required by all prophets. As a result, they were often sent forth as lone rangers with a burdensome message to whomever God ordained. There are always some exceptions, but for the most part their “prophetic lifestyles” were drastically different from ours – especially in comparison to this present day. Isolation for the sake of the ministry under the New Covenant is almost an anomaly in comparison with New Covenant prophets.
· Prophets of old often embodied the full revelation of the Word of God they had been given for people, nations and kings. By this, I do not mean they knew everything, but that God gave them the fullness of his word for the people to whom they were assigned. In this sense, they did not prophesy “in part.” In many instances, a prophet was “the only” prophet that God sent to a particular person, people group, nation, etc. for a season or in their particular life-time. For example, Elijah was the primary prophet sent specifically to deal with Ahab and Jezebel. Samuel was the specific prophet sent to Saul and David at the beginning of their ministries. Daniel was sent primarily to Nebuchadnezzar and his generations to enact judgement. In the New Covenant, a person could have encounters with multiple prophets or messengers from God.
· The concept of Major or Minor Prophets ended with the New Covenant. Christ himself became the greatest and most significant prophet (Mark 7:1). There is no longer a spotlight on “individuals” in the eyes of God in this sense. There may be leaders in certain movements, but rest assured, “THAT LEADER” will not be the only one carrying a specific message in his or her lifetime. Others will or are rising up with similar messages.
· Old Covenant prophets repeatedly reminded people, kings and nations of their sin as a point of stern and sometimes relentless rebuke. It was not uncommon to see God enact intense judgment, rebuke. Does he do this today? Yes, but it is different… a greater grace and mercy was poured out through Christ’s sacrifice. In the New Covenant, God shifts his attention to the individual instead of the state one generation over another. New Covenant prophets deal with the “individual’s responsibility” to honor God and their impact within the collective community. Their ministries – while still fully functioning in providing correction, direction, warnings, judgment, cries for repentance, etc. – are tempered by grace and a command to evoke faith, hope and love in Christ in the ear of the hearer.
· Old Covenant prophets were not charged with the task of “maturing, unifying or otherwise” structuring the congregation in the sense that we are today. This type of work was exclusive to the hierarchy of priesthood. In the New Covenant, there is a covenantal responsibility to participate in the salvation process of others through discipleship regardless of your office or position.
· Old Covenant prophets did not have wide-spread, individualist ministries with a wide range of callings. They were limited in their function and activities within the order of the priesthood and within the function of the nation of Israel. This doesn’t mean prophets could not have other duties. In fact, some priests were prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Deborah was a full-time judge who also functioned as a prophet. In the New Covenant, Holy Spirit has expanded the reach of the ministry of the prophet in scope, shape and operation.
There are many other distinctions we could list. However, these specific ones are geared toward helping believers shift from an “Old Covenant” prophet mindset to a view of what prophets look like within the New Covenant or the better covenant that God has given.
