Why No Prophet?

There is plenty of debate within Christianity running the gamut from cessationism to charismaticism. The [Seventh day] Adventist belief statement falls within this familiar spectrum. In fact, the statements within this Fundamental Belief sound quite biblical with the exception of changing the gift of tongues to that of “proclamation”. The big issue with this statement, however, is the discrepancy between what the Adventist organization proclaims as its official beliefs and how it actually operates within them.

With the glaring, singular exception of Ellen White, the Adventist organization is, in practice, cessationist. While Adventism allows the theoretical possibility that God may raise up another prophet among them—and while many Adventists have claimed to be prophets over the years—the organization does not officially acknowledge anyone besides Ellen White as having the gift of prophecy. Yet claiming a 19th-century prophet as the fulfillment of the biblical spiritual gift leads to questions. Shouldn’t there be at least one acknowledged prophet in the history of the Christian church—if Adventism is part of the Christian church—between the apostles and Ellen White? Why is there no active prophet now in the Adventist organization?

—Rick Barker (Former Adventist, Bible teacher, apologist, Biblical Researcher).