Prophethood of All Believers in Early Christianity and Its Implication for Neo-Pentecostal Prophecy: A Pneumatological Imagination Approach

Abstract

Contrary to the individualistic contemporary practices of prophecy, the practice of prophecy in early Christianity, particularly the Pentecost narrative in Luke-Acts, was a function of all believers. This approach is framed here as the prophethood of all believers using a pneumatological imagination. The approach is relevant to address the challenges of the individualistic approach in the contemporary practices of neo-Pentecostal prophecy. These challenges are highlighted here to point out abuses of prophecy in the twenty-first century. The Pentecost narrative in the early church in Luke-Acts is introduced as the background to this study. The article demonstrates that the pneumatic experiences including prophecy which come through the baptism of the Holy Spirit are experienced by all believers. This is a ground for the prophethood of all believers in early Christianity in Luke-Acts. However, the contemporary practice of prophecy in African neo-Pentecostalism is more individualistic than inclusive. The aim of this article is to propose an inclusive approach as was the practice of the early Christians in Luke-Acts.

Keywords:

• early Christianity
• neo-Pentecostalism
• pneumatological imagination
• prophecy
• prophethood
• Spirit baptism