Podcast Summary: What Does the Bible REALLY Say About Prophecy? | There Is More

Podcast: Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton
Date: September 28, 2025
Speaker: Pastor Josh Howerton
Passage: Acts 21

Overview:

Pastor Josh Howerton explores the often-misunderstood subject of prophecy in the New Testament, examining what the Bible actually says about it, dispelling misconceptions, and offering practical ground rules. The message centers on the idea that prophecy is a spiritual gift available to all Christians, meant primarily for encouragement and building up the church. The episode also addresses common fears, abuses, and cynicism about prophecy, while rooting its teaching in biblical texts.

Main Theme & Purpose

• Intent: To clarify the biblical foundation for prophecy in the New Testament, address skepticism, and encourage believers to both give and receive prophetic encouragement in accordance with Scripture.
• Context: The sermon is a "different kind of message" with heavy emphasis on Scripture, aiming to tackle areas where there is cultural or church cynicism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining "Pentecostal" and Setting Context (06:40-13:00)

• Pentecost in Scripture:
  • Pentecost simply means "50th," referring to the feast 50 days after Passover (09:50).
  • Symbolic parallels: At Sinai, God gave the law and 3,000 died; at Pentecost, the Spirit came, 3,000 were saved (11:00).
• Is Lakepointe Pentecostal?
  • Not in denominational sense but in believing “the supernatural power of God is still at work today... Yes, we very much want to be a Pentecostal church in that sense.” (Josh Howerton, 12:25)

2. New Testament Prophecy in Acts 21 (13:20-22:40)

• Text Explored: Paul is urged by disciples "through the Spirit" not to go to Jerusalem, despite previously being "compelled by the Spirit" to go (Acts 20 vs Acts 21).
  • Relevant tension: Apparent contradiction is addressed later (see Key Insights #5).
• Prophetic Practice:
  • Example of Agabus binding himself with Paul’s belt; emphasis: "If you feel led to do prophetic ministry…do not go grabbing people’s belts off of them... we have a security team for a reason." (Josh Howerton, 16:00)
  • Paul’s response: even if warned, he was ready to die for Jesus – a lesson in conviction (17:20).

3. Main Principles of Prophecy

(22:40-56:45)

Point 1: All Christians Can Prophesy (22:45-36:00)

• Not just prophets: “I’m not talking about the office of prophet…I’m talking about the function of prophecy. All Christians can prophesy.” (Josh Howerton, 23:45)
• Biblical support:
  • Moses' prayer: "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets..." (Numbers 11:29, 25:15)
  • Joel’s prophecy & Acts 2: poured out on "all people – sons and daughters will prophesy" (26:15).
• Story – Howerton's daughter Eliana: God used her dream (with no prior knowledge) to confirm the family’s move to Texas and adoption of their son, illustrating that even children receive the Holy Spirit in full (32:00-35:15).

Point 2: Prophecy Has Ground Rules (36:10-56:45)

• Ground Rule 1: Don’t be cynical about prophecy (36:15)

  • “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20)
  • Abuse or weirdness by people doesn’t invalidate the real: “The abuse of a thing does not negate the use of a thing. Don't let what a Christian did to you keep you from what Christ wants to do for you.” (Josh Howerton, 42:50)
  • Taking the Lord’s name in vain: not just about swearing, but about saying "God told me" when he did not (45:30).

• Ground Rule 2: All prophecy must be weighed (47:00)

  • “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)
  • Three Parts of Prophetic Process:
    1. Revelation — the Spirit's prompting is perfect.
    2. Interpretation — our understanding may be flawed.
    3. Communication — delivery may also be imperfect.
  • Acts 20 vs. Acts 21 explained:
    Apostles received the same revelation as Paul, but interpreted it through their love (don’t go!)—the revelation was perfect, their interpretation, imperfect (49:00).
  • “The Spirit of God will never contradict the Word of God—ever.” (Josh Howerton, 53:10)
    • Example: “God won’t ever tell you to leave your spouse in contradiction to Scripture.” (54:00)

• Ground Rule 3: Prophecy is for encouragement (56:20)

  • “Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3)
  • Correction and manipulation are not the role of New Testament prophecy (58:00).
  • Anecdote: Not every impulse is from God—humility in delivery is key ("I get the sense I need to say this...if it’s from God, let it confirm in your spirit.") (56:45)

4. Stories & Illustrations

• Personal testimony:

  • During a season of anxiety, two church members share a dream that mirrors exactly what a Christian counselor later describes—a “bubble before you and behind you, above you and below you”—confirming God’s protection (01:05:20).

• Power of Prophecy for Unbelievers:

  • “If an unbeliever…comes in while everybody's prophesying… the secrets of their hearts are laid bare… they will fall on their faces… ‘God is really among you.’” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25, 01:12:00)

• Congregant testimony:

  • "Sarah" received a prophetic word at Lakepointe that her husband would be worshiping with her within a year. Eleven months later, her husband was baptized. (Read at 01:14:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On cynicism:
  • “If you are one of these people [abusing prophecy], I need you to repent or I need you to leave. I’m not joking.” (41:50)
• On weirdness:
  • “Some people are just weird. They’d be weird without the Holy Spirit.” (40:15)
• On discernment:
  • “The Spirit of God will never contradict the Word of God.” (53:10)
• On prophecy’s daily practice:
  • “Prophecy is for strengthening, encouragement, and upbuilding. Not everything you feel like saying comes from God.” (59:05)
• On God’s character:
  • “His name is not the Great I was. His name is the Great I am. He is still speaking.” (34:05)
• On moving in the prophetic:
  • “Let’s lay it all on the line for Team Jesus. He wants to do that.” (01:16:00)

Important Timestamps

• 06:40 — Explanation of Pentecost and Lakepointe's stance on the supernatural
• 13:20 — Acts 21 read and explored; the “apparent contradiction” raised
• 22:45 — Principle 1: All believers can prophesy (with biblical roadmap)
• 32:00 — Testimony: Daughter’s dream confirms family direction
• 36:15 — Ground Rule 1: Do not be cynical about prophecy
• 42:50 — “The abuse of a thing does not negate the use …”
• 47:00 — Ground Rule 2: Prophecy must be weighed
• 49:00 — Explanation of Acts 20 vs 21 contradiction and three stages of prophecy
• 53:10 — “Spirit will never contradict the Word of God”
• 56:20 — Ground Rule 3: Prophecy is for encouragement, not correction
• 01:05:20 — Story: Season of anxiety and word of encouragement
• 01:14:00 — Testimony: Prophecy fulfilled in “Sarah’s” family
• 01:16:00 — Closing encouragement and prayer

Conclusion & Application

• The New Testament model for prophecy is available to all believers and is intended to encourage, build up, and strengthen—not to correct or manipulate.
• Prophetic impressions should always align with Scripture and be offered with humility.
• Abuse or weird experiences should not produce cynicism or close believers off from the authentic work of the Spirit.
• The church should be known as a place of supernatural encouragement, where God is at work and “God is really among you.”

Closing Prayer (01:17:00):
A prayer for open hands and open hearts, repentance from cynicism, and a fresh release of encouragement and prophetic clarity over the Lakepointe congregation:

“Father, your children ask—we pray that we might receive, in Jesus name.” (Josh Howerton, 01:18:05)

For those wanting to go deeper:
Check out the "Live Free" podcast for extended discussion on the theological nuances of prophecy.