Is Prophecy Over and is the Bible Complete?
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Some modern Christian denominations were founded on newer prophecies; however, most experts and theologians agree the apostolic era is over, God’s divine Revelation is finished, and the Bible is complete – here’s why.
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.”
– 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Biblical scholar Ellicott writes: “This verse shows, by the emphatic ‘then,’ that the time when the gifts shall cease is the end of this dispensation. The imperfect shall not cease until the perfect is brought in.”
In the apostles’ time, certain gifts were given, such as prophecy, tongues, and healing.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”
–Hebrews 1:1-2
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
– Jude 1:3.
According to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary:” ‘once for all delivered.’ No other faith or Revelation is to supersede it.”
Thomas Schreiner, writing for The Gospel Coalition, says: “Now that God has spoken in the last days through his Son we don’t need further words from him to explain what Jesus Christ has accomplished in his ministry, death, and resurrection. Instead, we are “to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all” through the apostles and prophets.
Many experts agree that this verse states that the gospel has been delivered in full.
A similar declaration is given in the final book of the Bible, Revelation:
“And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
–Revelation 22:19
The above is another argument people point to, which some say only refers to the book of Revelation itself, while others say it means both the book and the Bible as a whole.
The above also echoes what Moses wrote in the Old Testament for the Torah:
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
– Deuteronomy 4:2
“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”
– Deuteronomy 12:32
Biblical scholar Ellicott writes: “No later writer could put these words into the mouth of Moses if he had altered the precepts of Moses to any appreciable extent.”
The “five books (scrolls) of Moses” that make up the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible) are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are the main Jewish teachings, and the five books of Moses received from God.
The Old Testament was the gospel intended for Israel. Only when Christ appeared and gave divine Revelation to the apostles, the New Testament was written to bring the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews).
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