TESTING THE PROPHETIC SERIES
The Didache
The Didache, otherwise known as the Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles, was an early church document that served as a series of instructions on spiritual and community life. The first part consists of juxtaposing the way of life with the way of death. The second part deals with specific practices within the church, the individual’s spiritual life (i.e. food, baptism, prayer, fasting, eucharist, etc...) and church governance. The Didache essentially functioned as a guide for new disciples to understand what it meant to be a follower of Jesus.
Chapters 11-13 specifically deal with how apostles and prophets were to be thought of in the context of church life. The document lays out a series of guidelines for how prophetic ministry was to be seen in operation and what you should expect from the life of a prophet or an apostle. The dictates are simple, yet effective. They served to give a good overview of what to look for in those who you allowed to have a voice in church life.
The first test the Didache gives us is to look at how the gifted person talks about money. The spiritual gifts should never be used as an excuse to make money, but those ministering should be taken care of. (Note how prophets and apostles are referred to interchangeably)
““And when the apostle departs, he should receive nothing but bread until he finds his next lodging. But if he requests money, he is a false prophet.” ”
““And whoever says in the spirit, ‘Give me money,’ or anything else, do not listen to him. But if he says that it should be given for others who are in need, let no one judge him.””
This is an incredibly important point. The purpose of giftedness was not to establish a ministry or a platform, but to love and serve the people. Love is more concerned about the needs of others than of yourself. According to the Didache, it is perfectly within reason to take care of those who come and minster to the needs of the people through prophecy, this is the bread they receive until their next lodging. But they should never be motivated by the acquisition of wealth.
The Didache juxtaposes the practices of contemporary rhetoricians against itinerant prophets and apostles. Common to the philosophical milieu of the day were wandering teachers who would establish themselves in a region to teach their unique brand of philosophy. The hope was to establish a stream of income from the people and influence the region. Their focus was on the establishment of their brand of teaching.
““There were many wandering teachers, healers and others who were basically interested in making a living rather than the real best interests of their hearers and followers. Paul was anxious lest, after his departure, people might start to insinuate that he was really that kind of person — and, worse, that the pastors and teachers in the congregation might start to behave like that too.””
People that sought to use their gift and influence as a means to gain a following were not to be tolerated. This caution was rooted in the concern about how these itinerants were dealing with money and how they may draw people away from the true practice of the way of Christianity.
““Every apostle who comes to you should be received as the Lord. But he should not remain more than one day, and if there is some necessity a second as well; but if he should remain for three, he is a false prophet.””
The need for these types of principles come into stark clarity when we consider the ease of building a social media following to gain credibility. A following can be built absent any accountability. Anyone can appear as a “prophet to the nations”. We live in an age that has enabled people to exercise their gift beyond the scope of their call. It is important to understand that God alone determines our makeup. We must seek the Father and wise counsel around us to discover the our personal limitations.
Today, leaders are not just competing with peer groups or familial patterns.
They are competing with a vast array of voices that come through the speakers of our phones, televisions, tablets, and computers. A godly pastor that wants to lead people to graze upon the good virtues of life in Christ must contend with a multitude of voices. It is one thing to learn how to quiet the noise around us, it is quite another to learn how to discern the sound of a godly man or woman.
The instructions of the Didache were prefigured in Paul’s instructions:
Acts 20:18-20 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house…”
Today, anyone who understands social media algorithms and the use of hashtags can build a following. Again, we must practice the limitations of humility and not the insatiable lust for fame and glory. Principles like this passage from The Testament of the Lord (another early church document) carry the same ethos:
““A presbyter or a bishop should not be concerned about food or clothing. God has concern, and provides for those who are his, as he knows. If, when he has taken food or garment from one person, and it is said that he should receive some from another person too, it is enough that he take it from the first alone, and only as much as is fitting and necessary, and not excessively.” ”
The primary concern of the prophetically inclined individual ought to be to build the local church, not to build their ministry.
The gift intended to bless others can be used to build oneself. One glance at the Biblical story of Samson should drive that home. Samson used his exceptional strength to increase his fame and it destroyed him. He built his own house and it toppled while he was in it.
Next, the Didache teaches that just because someone claims to be prophetic or to walk in revelation does not mean that they do:
““And not everyone who speaks forth in the spirit is a prophet, but only if he has the kind of behavior which the Lord approves. From his behavior, then, will the false prophet and the true prophet be known.””
Their character proves their intent. If God sent them, they will carry a love for His Bride. How do they conduct themselves and what kind of life do they lead? These are serious questions that should be investigated before we let someone influence how we think about ourselves, the world, and God.
We are not to be impressed with those who do not “practice what they preach”:
““And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do the things he teaches, is a false prophet.””
The teacher should first seek to teach by their lifestyle and second by their words. Those who teach by their words but fail in their lifestyle should be corrected, not elevated.
Additionally, if there is no prophetic voice in your church, don’t worry. God works through many leaders:
““Appoint for yourselves, then, bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord-men who are unassuming and not greedy, who are honest and have been proved. For they also are performing for you the task of the prophets and teachers.””
Prophetic ministry is not necessary for a healthy functioning community, and a prophet was not a leadership position or title. Just because someone appears with a gift does not mean they become vital to the health of the church.
Once we have made these principles part of our daily lives, when we do come across someone who walks in these ways, we ought to receive them. In receiving them we receive from God:
““Every apostle who comes to you should be received as the Lord.””
When the gifted person is a blessing, they should absolutely be honored. Those who carry the heart of Christ in all they do can become a great benefit to any community.
While these principles are 1800 years old, they are no less prescient.
Don’t let people who are far too influenced by the hope for gain influence you.
Don’t let those whose example does not mirror Christ be your mirror for life.
Don’t become someone else’s brand acolyte, rather become a child of God.