6th Principle: The words of the prophets are true

The Sixth Principle -

The Words of the Prophets are True

The sixth principle of faith is the belief that the words of the Hebrew prophets are true and trustworthy. This principle obviously assumes that propositional revelation is possible and knowable by mankind, and thereby implies responsibility to heed these words.

"I believe with complete faith that the words of the prophets are true."

Maimonides adds, "We must realize that there exist human beings who have such lofty qualities and achieve such great perfection that their souls become prepared to receive pure spiritual wisdom. Their human wisdom can then become bound up with Creative Mind of God and receive an inspired emanation from it. This is prophecy, and those people who achieve it are prophets."

This statement discloses Maimonides' medieval synthesis between faith and reason, and seems to suggest that reason itself can partake of the divine nature. This idea is also true of Thomistic/Scholastic theology. It is not necessary to believe that human reason can attain to such heights in order to affirm this principle of faith, however.

In the Brit Chadashah:

The Brit Chadashah also attests to the truth of the words of the Hebrew prophets, and identifies Yeshua HaMashiach as the Chief Prophet upon whose word the kehillah (church) would be built (Eph. 2:20). Yeshua Himself quoted from the Hebrew prophets and stated that they demonstrate His claim as the Mashiach of Israel (John 5:39).

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)

<< Return