Christian Prophets of the I–II century

Christianity was born among the Jewish circles. In a natural, though not unpremeditated way, the Young Church derived its inspiration from the religious heritage of Judaism. For instance, from the very beginning, it definitely rejected the literal observation of the Jewish Law. Another important element of the Judaic tradition were the prophets. As those who spoke out directly on God’s behalf, they admonished the people of Israel as well as its rulers and proclaimed the message of hope, but above all, they announced the coming of the Messiah. The prophetic tradition had been taken over in the very first phase of the Church’s life. This is best borne out by the numerous testimonies from the Act of the Apostles, St. Paul’s Letters as well as by the testimonies contained in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, above all the Didache and the Shepherd, though not exclusively. By the end of the first century, in the vicinity of Antioch and Asia Minor, the prophets played an important role in the structures of church „offices”; in other words, they also participated in the daily administering of the churches. Afterwards, their institutional role disappears, yet the prophets themselves continue to be present in the church communities and prophesying continues to enjoy spiritual authority. It is recognized as significant for the Church’s authenticity. It seems that ultimately it was the argument over Montana who declared himself to be a new prophet, that put an end to this tradition. Under the influence of the discussion concerning the authenticity of Montana’s prophetic gift, it was definitely announced in Rome that „The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets” and this statement had gradually become one of the fundamental tenets of faith. The past tense used in this declaration signifies that the time of the prophets came to an end at the moment of Jesus’ coming, similarly as the apostolic time had definitely ended at the moment of death of the last of the Apostles.

Christianity was born among the Jewish circles. In a natural, though not unpremeditated way, the Young Church derived its inspiration from the religious heritage of Judaism. For instance, from the very beginning, it definitely rejected the literal observation of the Jewish Law. Another important element of the Judaic tradition were the prophets. As those who spoke out directly on God’s behalf, they admonished the people of Israel as well as its rulers and proclaimed the message of hope, but above all, they announced the coming of the Messiah. The prophetic tradition had been taken over in the very first phase of the Church’s life. This is best borne out by the numerous testimonies from the Act of the Apostles, St. Paul’s Letters as well as by the testimonies contained in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, above all the Didache and the Shepherd, though not exclusively. By the end of the first century, in the vicinity of Antioch and Asia Minor, the prophets played an important role in the structures of church „offices”; in other words, they also participated in the daily administering of the churches. Afterwards, their institutional role disappears, yet the prophets themselves continue to be present in the church communities and prophesying continues to enjoy spiritual authority. It is recognized as significant for the Church’s authenticity. It seems that ultimately it was the argument over Montana who declared himself to be a new prophet, that put an end to this tradition. Under the influence of the discussion concerning the authenticity of Montana’s prophetic gift, it was definitely announced in Rome that „The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets” and this statement had gradually become one of the fundamental tenets of faith. The past tense used in this declaration signifies that the time of the prophets came to an end at the moment of Jesus’ coming, similarly as the apostolic time had definitely ended at the moment of death of the last of the Apostles.