(1 Cor 12:10 NASB) and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV) Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.
This seems today to be a hard subject due to all the various opinions and beliefs on prophecy. From the wide range of; there are no more prophets and everything God needs to say through prophecy is all ready spoken, to men running around calling themselves prophets and speaking all kinds of things in God’s name. No wonder there is so much confusion on this subject.
Let’s start with dealing with a prophet and a word of prophecy. There is a difference between the two and not knowing this can cause confusion in its self. In Ephesians 4.11, Paul lists a gift of a prophet for leadership in the body of Christ. A person who is a prophet is a spokes person for God. In the Old Testament they were also called seers, (1 Sam 9:9). These men not only prophesied, such as foretelling the future, but were also called upon to forth tell in times of need. Such as when a King would prepare to go to battle they wanted to hear from a prophet. The prophet would not always tell how the battle would go but just to say go or stay. A prophet would also be a judge of matters and be a spiritual leader to a king or a group of people. They would lead other young men in ministry such as the school of prophets in the Old Testament.
Now, in the New Testament we do not see this role so defined as in the Old Testament. However, I do see the role in leadership using Old Testament structure. I do not think it was an accident that Paul listed a prophet for church leadership. So, what should that person be like and their role. After years of church and prayerful study I will offer up my opinion. A New Testament prophet is a person committed to God and the purpose of ministry. Given the authority to speak with boldness the word of God bringing judgment and corrections needed in the body of Christ. I will agree with those who say God has said all he is going to say concerning the future of the church and the world. However, I still think He wants to speak to us today for our every needs and conflicts in life. So is there a need for men and women to hear from God and speak boldly in forth telling in our needs? Such as the young ladies in Acts 21:9.
I spoke to you about what a prophet is, but that is not the same as the manifestation of prophecy. One can prophesy and not be a prophet. In many places in the Old Testament when God’s presence showed up just about everyone in God’s presence would prophesy. King Saul is a good example of such. Even in the New Testament you can find people who were not a prophet but in the presence of God they prophesied. So, what is the manifestation of prophecy?
I have over the years come to understand that the manifestation of prophecy is the simple forth telling of God’s purpose and understanding of where you are in life. Could it be a little future telling? Who am I to reject such an ideal? In all my years I have seen many times a person speak of a future event for someone personally or a world event and seen it come to pass. When I see such prophecies I do cringe a little due to the fact I have also seen many not come to pass. Could this be why Paul said in (1 Cor 13:9 NKJV) For we know in part and we prophesy in part. Let’s face it we are all imperfect and are at times misguided.
We should never throw out God’s wonderful manifestation based simply on the failures and miss giving’s of a few uninformed people. Are there false preachers who prophesy falsely for mere gain? Yes, but they are perverting what is real and available to the body of Christ. The manifestation is for all believers as the spirit moves upon them as He wills. God does want to use all those who will trust and obey Him to speak through them, either by His word or spiritual revelations into certain matters.
Paul tells us that He desired for believers to prophesy.
(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV) Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.
(1 Cor 14:3-5 NRSV) On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. {4} Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. {5} Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
(1 Cor 14:39 NRSV) So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues;
Based on what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 14 that prophecy is to build up other believers and the body of Christ. What so many call the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge have incorrectly identified what they are. (See the previous articles on the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge.) It is the prophetic work of God’s spirit that gives a person insight into a situation or another person’s life. This is for the sole purpose to encourage, uplift, and at times even correct a situation or person. It is under this umbrella of the manifestation of prophecy that one can speak truth, uplift, and forth tell, yes, even speak about some near future event for the edifying of the body and person hearing the prophecy.
Those who throw out the ideal that the manifestation of prophecy could be just this simple, miss out on so much God has for us. Do I live my life based on just prophecies? Absolutely not! I must have my own prayer and relation time with God my father. I must study the word of God for myself and know God’s purpose for my life. It is when we do all the above we find encouragement through the prophetic, confirming what God is doing in our hearts. This way we are not lead astray by teachings of men.
(1 Th 5:20-23 NASB) do not despise prophetic utterances. {21} But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil. {23} Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Rom 12:6 NRSV) We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith;
Do not confuse the office of a prophet with the manifestation of prophecy. Peter used the words of the prophet Joel in telling us that prophesying is a part of God’s spirit being poured out on all believers. (Acts 2:18 NRSV) Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
We should be careful not to be like the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time. They had interpreted the laws and words of God to the point that they could not even see what was right in front of them. If God has done away with the gifts and manifestations then we must ask are we done advancing the gospel message. There seems to be a direct correlation between the gospel message, gifts, and manifestations. What is the church supposed to do today? Get into our groups and hold the fort so to speak or just maintain? Isn’t that what the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time were doing?
If the gift of God’s spirit is still in the church, then we should allow, even expect it to manifest in all areas mentioned in the word of God. I cannot find any solid scripture proof that God has done away with part or all of His gifts and manifestations. If you choose not to believe they are for today, leave alone those who do. Why do you have to fight with those who do believe in the manifestations? Like wise if you believe in the gifts and manifestations, leave alone those who do not. Is this something really worth fighting over? Speaking to both sides, I say you forgot to read 1 Cor.13. OK, so I myself believe that the gifts and manifestations are still for today. None of us are perfect and we all still make mistakes, thank God for His grace. Just because someone does not have the same doctrines as you, does not mean their heart is not in the right place and you cannot nullify who God chooses to use or how He works.
(1 Tim 4:14 NRSV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the God given gift in him. How did Timothy get this gift, by a council of leaders laying hands on him and prophesying over him. I want to encourage you to seek God and stir the gift of holy spirit in you. Let God’s spirit and power manifest in you. We have a whole generation that needs godly leaders to show the way and speak truth to all. This will take still today God’s spirit being manifest through us. For all the ministries and churches that seem to be doing it wrong we need those in truth to stand up. This world is full enough with hate and discord in need of healing and truth, we have been given the gospel message of peace, let’s speak it in demonstration and power.
(2 Pet 1:19-21 NRSV) So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. {20} First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, {21} because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
God wants to speak through us a message of truth to a whole world in spiritual darkness. Let’s prophesy!
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