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The Gift of Prophecy

The Bible abounds with many examples of women who ministered prophetically. The prophetess Miriam led the women to celebrate the Lord’s triumph over Egypt (Ex 15:20–21). Deborah was a prophetess who functioned as a judge (Jdg 4:4–5), and the prophetess Huldah was consulted on behalf of the king (2Ki 22:14–20). Other Old Testament women had prophetic ministries as well (Isa 8:3).

In the New Testament, we encounter Anna (Lk 2:36–38) and the four daughters of the evangelist Philip (Ac 21:9). Joel foretold that both sons and daughters would prophesy after God poured his Spirit out on all flesh (Joel 2:28)—a promise that was cited by Peter at the time of Pentecost (Ac 2:17–18). Paul encouraged women to exercise the gift of prophecy and instructed them how to do so in the public assembly of the church (1Co 11:5).

The nature of prophecy changed with the outpouring of God’s Spirit. Old Testament prophets, individually commissioned by God, were to be put to death if they misrepresented God’s message to the people (Dt 13:1–5; 18:20–22). New Testament prophecy, on the other hand, was a gift given to many believers, and its transmission was not guaranteed as infallible. It needed to be sifted, weighed and evaluated by the leadership of the church (1Co 14:29; 1Th 5:20–21). Nevertheless, it was regarded as a valuable and necessary gift for the church and an area of effective ministry for women.