brief notices Authority and Infallibility In the Old Testament, prophets spoke with absolute divine authority as God's direct mouthpieces, and their words were considered infallible and equal to Scripture itself. False prophets in the OT were to be put to death if their predictions didn't come true (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) In the New Testament era, the gift of prophecy is primarily for edification, encouragement, and comfort rather than for leading and guiding God's people with absolute authority. New Testament prophecy must be weighed and tested by the community of believers, and it can contain human error. {see the notice below} Primary Purpose Nearly every Old Testament prophet pointed forward to Christ, revealing the mystery of God that had been hidden from the foundation of the world. OT prophets served as covenant prosecutors, reformers calling Israel back to faithfulness, and the conscience of the nation. In the New Testament, prophecy is...
