13:1
In the previous chapter they have been warned against worshipping the gods of other nations, now we get warnings against dangers from within. Woods points out that there is a progression in the chapter from the individual false prophet, to the family, then to a whole town leading people astray. Now we must first note that prophecy throughout the Bible is seen as good, both in the Old and the New Testament. We should also note that not all prophecy is canonical (scriptural). Obviously the prophets like Isaiah, Daniel etc are scripture, but there is much prophecy that we are told about, but not told what was said. One of the prime arguments against prophecy today seems to centre around the assumption that all prophecy is in some sense “canonical”, therefore there cannot be prophecy today, or something along these lines. Now all sensible “charismatics” (I am using the term very broadly to include all who allow for prophecy today, and some may not accept the label) treat prophecy today as subject to Scripture. Of course, there are a fair selection of loony charismatics, but let’s leave them aside. The key message here, as in the New Testament (1 Thes 5:21) is that we are to test everything. This is the mature and Biblical approach to take to prophecy.
13:2
Elsewhere in the Pentacheuch, one of the tests of a prophet is whether or not his or her word comes true! Here we have a deeper test. Here the thing prophesied takes place, i.e. the word proves to be “accurate”. However, the prophet also says “Let us follow other gods”. So the primary test is whether or not the person is leading you to worship God or not. In today’s terms, is it honouring Christ or not.
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