The aftermath of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries has shifted national attention beyond politics into a deeper theological debate: what does it mean when prophecy fails, and what does the Bible say about such moments? This question has resurfaced following Prophet ElBernard’s public admission that his prediction of a Kennedy Agyapong’s victory did not come to pass.
Ahead of the January 31 primary, Prophet ElBernard had confidently declared that Mr. Agyapong would emerge as the NPP’s flagbearer. The eventual victory of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia proved the prophecy wrong.
In a move that surprised many, the prophet later issued a public apology, accepting responsibility for the failed prediction and acknowledging its impact on followers who had believed his words.
While reactions have ranged from sympathy to criticism, the incident has reignited a fundamental biblical question that predates modern politics: how should believers understand and respond when a prophecy does not come to pass?
The Bible is unambiguous on the issue of failed prophecy. In Deuteronomy 18:21–22, Scripture provides a clear test: “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follows not, nor comes to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken.”
This passage establishes outcome as a key measure of prophetic authenticity, leaving little room for reinterpretation once an event has clearly failed to occur.
This biblical standard challenges a growing trend in contemporary prophetic circles, where failed predictions are often reframed as “spiritual delays”, “conditional prophecies”, or misunderstood revelations.
Critics argue that such explanations, while comforting to followers, dilute the seriousness with which Scripture treats prophetic utterances made in God’s name.
The prophet Jeremiah confronted a similar situation in ancient Israel, warning against voices that claimed divine authority without divine backing. “The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them” (Jeremiah 14:14). The warning underscores a central biblical concern that false prophecy does not merely misinform, but misrepresents God.
Prophet ElBernard’s apology has therefore been interpreted by some theologians as aligning more closely with biblical accountability than with defiance. In the Bible, admission of error and repentance are recurring themes. King David, after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, confessed plainly, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). His repentance did not erase consequences, but it restored moral clarity.
However, Scripture also places a heavy burden on those who speak as spiritual authorities. James 3:1 cautions, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
In this light, failed prophecies, especially those broadcast widely and tied to national political events, carry weighty implications beyond personal embarrassment. They affect faith, public trust, and the credibility of Christian witness.
The Bible further warns believers not to accept every prophetic claim uncritically. In 1 John 4:1, Christians are instructed: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” This call to discernment places responsibility not only on prophets but also on followers, challenging them to test prophecies against Scripture, character, and outcomes.
The incident has also drawn attention to the danger of mixing prophecy too closely with political ambition. While biblical prophets often addressed kings and nations, their messages were primarily moral and corrective, not predictive endorsements of political victories. When prophecy becomes a tool for forecasting electoral outcomes, it risks reducing divine revelation to political speculation.
Alex Kwaku Tetteh, a close associate of Kennedy Agyapong, has added a human dimension to the debate by revealing that the politician himself was uneasy about prophetic declarations surrounding his campaign.
According to Tetteh, Mr. Agyapong privately expressed concern that spiritual predictions could raise unrealistic expectations and distract from the practical realities of delegate politics. His caution reflects another biblical principle: humility before uncertainty. Proverbs 27:1 warns, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Supporters of modern prophecy often argue that human error does not invalidate spiritual gifting. They point to 1 Corinthians 13:9, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part,” suggesting that prophecy is inherently limited. Yet theologians counter that while human understanding may be partial, Scripture never treats false outcomes lightly, especially when God’s name is invoked to assert certainty.
Importantly, the Bible emphasises that truth ultimately withstands scrutiny. Jesus himself warned against deception cloaked in spirituality: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). He concluded with a simple test: “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
As the nation reflects on yet another election season shaped by prophetic claims, the episode involving Prophet ElBernard has become more than a political footnote.
It is a moment of theological reckoning. Scripture does not encourage blind belief, nor does it excuse prophetic failure without accountability. Instead, it calls for humility, repentance, discernment, and reverence for the weight of speaking in God’s name.
Ultimately, the Bible’s message is clear: prophecy is not validated by popularity or confidence, but by truth. And when prophecy fails, Scripture does not ask believers to explain it away, but to confront it honestly, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
By Adelina Fosua Adutwumwaa