The doctrinal/theological nature of testing prophecy from 1 John 4:1-3

1 John 4:2-3 gives the test: 'Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.' This is not a simple test but a comprehensive theological evaluation involving the person and work of Christ, his connection to OT messianic expectations, and apostolic teaching. Testing prophecy was fundamentally a doctrinal exercise, meaning future prophecy was always filtered through established teaching -- not the other way around (contra Mormon doctrine of continuing revelation superseding previous revelation).