In the mid second century, a cult monk turned Christian arrived in Phrygia. His arrival did not go unnoticed as he fell into a trance and “began to prophesy under the influence of the Holy Spirit.” Soon after, two women, Maximilla and Priscilla, joined this man in prophesying, claiming to have divine revelation in the midst of ecstatic behavior. This movement did not remain isolated in Phrygia. Rather, it gained momentum and spread into Asia Minor, Africa, and Gaul. This group called their movement New Prophecy because the Paraclete was manifesting himself through this man and these women, along with other followers, and He was releasing revelation on par with that of the apostles and Jesus Christ Himself. The man who even stated to be the Paraclete (the Holy Spirit) was named Montanus.

According to this author, “The movement of Montanism was exciting and received by a lot of people. Some participants were described as “boiling over with the Spirit” and the movement spurred a yearning for martyrdom. It lasted from the first until the sixth century. Frend describes the movement as having an “extraordinary tenacity” despite the failure of the prophecies to materialize. While their views were extreme and extra-biblical Montanism represented that a significant number of the believers in the first century after Christ did not believe that the power of the Holy Spirit had ended. However, the failure of their prophecies to materialize worked to dissuade some against the continuing presence and power of the Spirit to manifest in their time.”

What is known about this group is limited as writings from Montanus were destroyed. What we do know comes from opponents to Montanus and from a minority of advocates. We know the opponents recorded ecstatic worship, speaking in tongues, women in leadership roles of the church services, asceticism such as fasting and the prohibition of marriage, trances, and failed prophecy. They also held to the imminent return of Christ and the New Jerusalem being located in Phrygia near Pepuza. Followers in this movement called themselves “spiritual people” while calling those who opposed them “carnal or natural people”. They encouraged martyrdom, and they believed apostles, prophets, and martyrs had the power to forgive sins.

The Montanist movement was declared heretical by the church of that time. However, it continued on for several centuries with various reports stating when it met its demise. At least, that is what some believe to have happened. It is also worth noting that Montanism was influential toward the recognition of a closed canon of Scripture due to Montanus’ claims of divide revelation.

Why discuss a movement removed from us by almost two thousand years? Because Montanism did not die. There have been shoots of it throughout the years in other areas of the church. Some of their practices have been adopted and integrated into corporate services. Ecstatic utterances and behaviors are being noted in many of these churches. Claims to modern-day prophets and apostles take place today at increasing numbers. There is no shortage of alleged prophetic words today stating the Lord has revealed hidden knowledge or future events while sadly sidelining the gospel of Jesus Christ. Engaging with angels and physical manifestations are encouraged and expected and let me be clear. This is not fringe behavior or occurrences.

What is wrong with enthusiasm and passion? What is wrong with wanting to draw closer to God through radical encounters? Zeal is not a bad trait or action in and of itself. We should be zealous for the things of the Lord. At the same time, there is such a thing as misplaced or misguided zeal. Enthusiasm, emotionalism, and physical displays do not equate to spiritual maturity or proper conduct. Paul admonished the Jewish people in Romans 10:2 who had zeal but not according to knowledge. He goes on to explain in verse 3 this pertained to their ignorance and rejection of God’s righteousness in pursuit of their own righteousness. When looking at the current hyper charismatic movement and what is deemed the New Apostolic Reformation, I have concerns there are elements of Montanism alive and well today.

There are some who will tout massive numbers, massive churches, vibrant worship, and manifestations as proof of the move of the Spirit. There have been and continue to be unofficial distinctions made between those who “have the Spirit” and those who are “dead or religious” while overlooking the Holy Spirit is truly active in the lives of believers in Christ without physical manifestations transpiring. To go a step further and with all patience and gentleness, the size of a church, the popularity of the messages and the worship, and every physical action under the sun does not equate to God’s approval or endorsement.

There are people today claiming to have divine revelation. There are some who claim fallible prophecy does not make one a false prophet. There are some who teach practicing prophecy and hearing the voice of God and if you do so many things, you can draw closer to Him and hear Him for yourself. You just have to surrender or perhaps follow the leader and help fulfill their calling. As someone who once held to such beliefs and has since repented, as one who had journals full of words I ascribed to God, transcribing internal thoughts in the first person to the Lord, I find myself asking if I would be willing to die for those alleged revelations. Would I be willing to stake my life on them as the absolute truth?

The apostles of Christ gave their lives for the more sure Word, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eleven of the twelve died for the sake of Jesus Christ and the teachings they were led to bring to the church by the Holy Spirit. Prophets of the Old Testament died for the sake of the Lord. They called the people to repentance and to put their faith in God. They foretold of Christ, and they forthtold the gospel. (Romans 1 :1-4, 1 Peter 1:10-12) Is what I have written in those old journals on par with these words we recognize as Scripture and divinely inspired? No, it is not. I would not give my life for a single word in those journals, and I thank the good Lord He extended mercy to me to repent and to turn back to the Word of God for instruction, correction, and proper fellowship.

I am concerned that speaking a “Thus says the Lord” or attributing words to the Holy Spirit has dampened and greatly diminished the reverential fear of God. When people are told it is all right to “get it wrong” after saying “God said”, they are being led astray. When individuals are told experiences and feelings are an accurate gauge of truth as a Spirit filled believer, they are being led astray. One could deduce that Montanism never died. There are echoes of it today. I urge those with love and compassion, if you are part of these movements, please test all things against Scripture, including your experiences. Test yourself to see if you are even in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). We must be willing to ask difficult questions of ourselves and of instances and teachings being perpetuated. I urge you to get back to the Word of God in the proper context and to Biblical discipleship. Get planted in a Biblically sound church.

True prophecy testifies of Jesus Christ. Intimacy and fellowship with God involve balanced passion and zeal in accordance with Scripture while having self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ is a beautiful thing and is expected of true believers in Christ. Ask yourself what spiritual maturity truly looks like when authored by God, and if we do not want to despise prophecy, let’s begin by not despising the written Word of God.

Listen to this episode from The Lovesick Scribe podcast where we take a closer look at Montanism as well as some modern-day prophetic examples: New Prophecy in the 2nd Century and Beyond – The Lovesick Scribe Podcast | Podcast on Spotify