PROPHECY
1 Corinthians 12:7-11But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; TO ANOTHER PROPHECY,, to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The simplest way to describe the gifts of the Spirit is to say that three of them say something. Three of them do something. And three of them reveal something. Three gifts of utterance that say something:
Prophecy
Divers kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Of these three gifts, prophecy is the most important. Of course, the reason it is the most important is that it takes the other two inspirational gifts. divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues, to equal this gift.
1 Cor. 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
This says that to speak with tongues and to interpret the tongues is equivalent to prophecy. Therefore, prophecy is really the most important of these three gifts of inspiration or utterance in that it does not require another gift to complete it. Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue. Divers kinds of tongues is supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue. Interpretation of tongues is a supernatural showing forth of that which has been said in an unknown tongue.
The Hebrew meaning of the phrase, “to prophesy” is to flow forth. It also carries with it the thought: to bubble forth like a fountain, to let drop, to lift up, to tumble forth, and to spring forth. The Greek word that is translated “prophesy” means to speak for another. So “prophesy” can mean to speak for God or to be His spokesman.
I Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity [love], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may PROPHESY.
We are told to desire spiritual gifts, but especially that we might prophesy. That doesn’t mean we are not to desire the other gifts, but we are to especially desire to prophesy.
Again, at the end of chapter 14, Paul repeated this.
1 Corinthians 14:39: Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
We could say it this way: God through Paul spoke to the Church at Corinth (and it applies to the Church everywhere) to desire spiritual gifts, but rather that we may prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1,39).
Foretelling vs. Forth Telling
The simple gift of prophecy should not be confused with the prophetic office or with prophetic utterance that may come forth in the prophet’s ministry.
1 Cor. 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to EDIFICATION, and EXHORTATION, and COMFORT .
1 Cor 14:4: He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Cor 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
The simple gift of prophecy there is no revelation. The simple gift of prophecy is given for edification, exhortation, and comfort.
Prophesying Is More Than Preaching
Some people think that “to prophesy” means to preach. All inspired utterance is prophecy in some form or another, but the spiritual gift of prophecy isn’t preaching. Sometimes there is an element of prophecy in preaching when a person is anointed by the Spirit and is inspired to say things spontaneously that come from his spirit rather than his head. But that is only one phase of the operation of the gift of prophecy.
I have heard people say, “I was witnessing to someone about the Lord and I said things to them that were in line with the Word but that were beyond my own thinking. I didn’t think it and it didn’t come out of my mind. I was just inspired by the Holy Spirit to say it.” That is a part of the operation of this gift of prophecy because prophecy is inspired utterance. The gift of prophecy goes beyond speaking by our own reasoning processes and intellect.
“To preach” means to proclaim, to announce, to cry, or to tell. The scriptural purpose of the gift of prophecy is different from the purpose of preaching.
For example, Jesus didn’t say that men would be saved by the foolishness of prophesying, but by the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor. 1:21). The supernatural gifts of the Spirit are given to arrest people’s attention, not to save them. Even on the Day of Pentecost when people were speaking in tongues, none of those standing by listening got saved until Peter got up and preached to them (Acts 2:14-41).
Prophecy cannot be preaching because prophecy requires no preparation and preaching does, and plenty of it. The Bible says, “Labor in the word and in doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17), but it never says, “labor in the gift of prophecy.” There is another thing about prophecy: it does not improve by
practice, as preaching does. The person under the unction of the Spirit can utter a prophecy as beautiful in his first utterance as any he utters throughout his life. Why? because the gifts of the Spirit of God are perfect from their inception.
1. Edification It always is intended by God to draw those who receive it toward Him. It is His desire that prophetic words bring edification. We are not to prophesy to bring condemnation. Edification is God’s desire. He says this through the following verse. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” The person who prophesies edifies individuals and the church body. The Greek word for edify is oikodomeo (pronounced oy- kod-om-eh’-o), which means, “to be a house-builder, to construct
or strengthen, embolden and encourage.” This word is repeated in verse 5. “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
1 Co:14:12: Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
2. Exhortation To exhort means, “to urge, advise strongly or earnestly or to be encouraging.”Exhortation always is intended by God to help those who receive it to be encouragers to others and be encouraged in their own lives.
3. Comfort To comfort means, “to soothe, console, make comfortable or (just like exhortation) to encourage.” New Testament prophecy is intended by God to bring comfort to those who receive it.
4. Profits – We can learn from it.
1 Co:14:6: Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Do not waste or discard a word of prophecy at a time when its message can deliver a life-changing teachable moment.
5. Brings unbelievers to repentance
1 Co:14:22-25 22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23: If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24: But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Prophecy can reveal the secrets of an unbeliever’s heart. It can confront the unbeliever with his or her sins and cause them to come to God asking for forgiveness and a clean heart. The unbeliever will gratefully fall down and worship.
The Gift of Prophecy vs. The Office of the Prophet
The gift of prophecy should not be confused with the prophetic office. The
simple gift of prophecy has no revelation in it. Rather, it speaks unto men for their edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3); it is to edify the Church (1 Cor. 14:4). In First Corinthians 14:1, Paul was telling the whole Church at Corinth to covet to prophesy and to desire spiritual gifts, “. . . but rather that ye may prophesy.” Yet in First Corinthians 12:28, Paul said that all are not prophets. If prophesying made a person a prophet, then Paul would be contradicting himself. In other words, the fact that the gift of simple prophecy operates through a person doesn’t make him a prophet. A prophet would have more of the gifts of the Spirit in operation than just the gift of prophecy.
He would have revelation gifts operating along with prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:29-30, Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be REVEALED to another that sitteth by [that is, another prophet], let the first hold his peace.
Here Paul is talking about revelation. “If any thing be REVEALED . . .” (v. 30). Therefore, the prophet would have other revelation gifts operating in his ministry, as well as the gift of prophecy.
To constitute standing in the office of the prophet, a person needs to have the revelation gifts operating on a continual basis in his life and ministry, plus the gift of prophecy. In other words, for a person to stand in the office of the prophet, he would need to be called to the five fold ministry as a preacher or teacher of the Word (Eph. 4:11,12), and have two of the three revelation gifts — the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, or the discerning of spirits — plus prophecy operating consistently in his ministry.
Therefore, we should not confuse the office of the prophet with the simple gift of prophecy which we are all told to covet: “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy . . .”(1 Cor. 14:39). We can all have the gift of prophecy because God wouldn’t tell us to covet something that wasn’t available to us, nor to desire something that we couldn’t have (1 Cor. 14:1,5,39). Yet all will not have all the gifts of the Spirit operating in their lives and ministries.
New Testament Example Of the Gift of Prophecy
In Acts chapter 21, we see a scriptural illustration of some believers who had the gift of prophecy operating in their lives.
ACTS 21:8-9 8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, WHICH DID PROPHESY.
All four of Philip’s daughters had this simple gift of prophecy operating in their lives. They must have prophesied in the services held in their house because otherwise Paul and his company would not have known that they prophesied. Philip’s daughters spoke to the whole company to edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). However, when the prophet Agabus came, he had a message from the Holy Spirit on a higher order, which brought revelation.
New Testament Example of The Prophet’s Ministry
ACTS 21:10-11 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Agabus had a message from the Holy Ghost. He had a message that had some revelation with it, the word of wisdom. However, no definite direction was given to Paul in this message in the sense that Agabus didn’t tell Paul to go or not to go to Jerusalem. That decision was left up to Paul. Agabus just told Paul what was going to happen in the near future should he go to Jerusalem.
The prophet may prophesy, but the message he brings may not be simple prophecy at all. In other words, the message the prophet gives may actually be the revelation gifts in operation, such as the word of wisdom or the word of knowledge.
You must then be in the Spirit for the gifts of the Spirit to operate; gifts of the Spirit do not operate in the flesh. In other words, you must wait upon the unction of the Holy Spirit for the manifestation of spiritual gifts. That is not something we do apart from God.
The Holy Spirit Manifests Himself As We Seek the Lord
ACTS 13:1-4 1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed
Notice that it was as they ministered to the Lord and fasted that the Holy Spirit manifested Himself. But notice in Acts 13:2, the Scripture doesn’t say that the Holy Ghost just witnessed to the disciples’ spirits about separating Barnabas and Saul unto the ministry. It says the Holy Ghost said something. He said “. . . Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” ( Acts 13:2). The Holy Ghost said something through one of the prophets. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit leads by an inward witness, which every believer has (Rom. 8:14).
Notice something else in this passage. This wasn’t when Barnabas and Saul were called to the ministry; they had already received the call to the ministry because the Holy Spirit said, “. . . for the work whereunto I HAVE CALLED THEM” (v…forthe. 2). That’s past tense. Therefore, Barnabas and Saul had already received the call to the ministry from God in their own private lives. In other words, they weren’t receiving their call to the ministry through a prophet. The Holy Spirit was merely confirming that call through a prophet.
Caution Needed With Personal Prophecies
Let me stress that we need to be very careful about personal prophecies. Lives have been ruined and many unfortunate things have happened through misuse of personal prophecies.
Simple Prophecy Edifies, Exhorts, and Comforts
1 CORINTHIANS 14:3-5 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edifica(ion, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
This gift of prophecy is also given to edify the Church through exhortation. In the Greek, the word “exhort” means a calling nearer to God or an invitation. First Corinthians 14:3 also says the gift of prophecy is given to comfort. Much of what some people call “prophecy” never comforts anyone; rather, it discomforts them. Therefore, it could not be this gift of the Spirit in operation because the gift of prophecy is given for edification, exhortation, and comfort.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-2119 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
It was necessary for Paul to give these instructions because the Church at Thessalonica had so much misuse of the gift of prophecy that these folks almost despised it. Therefore, Paul, writing by the Spirit of God, had to instruct them, “Despise not prophesyings” (1 Thes. 5:20). However, those who go around telling everyone what is wrong with them and tearing people down, supposedly operating in the gift of prophecy, are not operating in the gift of the Spirit of God.
Prophecy in One’s Prayer Life
The gift of prophecy, like tongues, has to do with more than just public utterance. Prophecy can be used in one’s prayer life too. For example, in the Book of Psalms, prophecy was used in prayer and praise to God. As a matter of fact, the whole Book of Psalms was given by the spirit of prophecy. The Psalms were Israel’s prayer and songbook. Some of the psalms are prayers that were given by inspired utterance.
We can see prophecy being used in the believer’s prayer life in the New Testament too.
Ephesians:5:18-20 18 : And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20: Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
We read in Acts chapter 13 that the disciples ministered to the Lord. This was perhaps one way that they ministered to the Lord — by singing and making melody in their hearts to Him. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are not songs that are sung out of a songbook. They are songs given by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. A psalm is a spiritual poem or an ode. It can be recited or chanted or sung. The hymn and the spiritual song are, of course, sung. One who
is given more to singing would probably sing the psalms and hymns given to him by inspiration of the Spirit.
Psalms and hymns come through the spirit of prophecy as an inspired utterance, and therefore could also come through the vehicle of tongues and interpretation. These psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are given spontaneously by the inspiration of the Spirit. They are a demonstration of the gift of prophecy or its equivalent tongues and interpretation in manifestation. These psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs can be used to comfort us in times of tests or trials.
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
Another interesting thing to note is that the order of the services in the Early Church evidently differed from ours in that believers went to church because they had something, not just to get something.
1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation
Why did they have a psalm they could share with one another? Because they had been speaking in psalms to the Lord; they had been edifying themselves at home.
The Psalms in the Old Testament bless us and encourage us because they are inspired by the Spirit. There is some revelation in some of these psalms concerning prophecy of the coming Christ and of things pertaining to the future and to the Church. But many of the psalms were given to David, for example, when he was going through a certain test or trial in his life.
For instance, one time Saul sought to kill David. While hiding in a cave, David got a psalm by the spirit of prophecy, and it was given to him personally to encourage him. It encouraged him then, and those psalms encourage us, too, when we are facing tests and trials in life.
So we can see why Paul said to the members of the Church at Corinth, and to Christians everywhere, to covet to prophesy, for in this way they can talk to God supernaturally and to themselves in a known language. There is a fellowship in the Spirit that comes through using prophecy in prayer that is beyond what we’ve previously experienced God’s Word teaches that all Spirit-filled believers should not only speak with tongues when they are initially filled with the Spirit, but they should continue to speak with tongues as a continual experience, after they are filled with the Spirit. The Word also teaches that all Spirit-filled believers should be speaking to themselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. If we follow Paul’s admonition today and covet to prophesy, we, too, can speak to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Begin to covet to prophesy because the Word of God encourages believers to do so.
First Corinthians 12:31 says, “. . . covet earnestly the best gifts” As you do, then you will be able to speak supernaturally to the Body of Christ God’s words of edification, exhortation, and comfort as the Spirit wills. You will also be able to speak supernaturally through the gift of prophecy in your private prayer life, edifying yourself and worshipping God in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Guidelines to Judge Prophecy
1. Does it agree with the word of God?
Proverbs 30:5-6 (NKJV) “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (6) Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Titus 1:9 (NKJV) “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort… convict those who contradict.”
2. Does it glorify Jesus?
John 16:13-14 (NKJV) “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. {14} He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to
you.”
The Holy Spirit will let you know if it the prophecy is valid.
a. He will guide you into all truth.
b. He will not speak on His own authority.
c. Whatever He hears from the Father He will speak.
d. He will tell you things to come.
e. He will glorify Jesus, for He will take of what is Christ’s and declare it to you. If it is authentic prophecy, it will glorify Christ!
Prophecy must do these things. They must…
a. Edify, encourage and comfort people.
b. Build up the church.
c. Profit people (be good for them).
d. Bring the lost to repentance.
e. Bear witness with your spirit.
A word of prophecy is worth listening to! A word of prophecy will never violate any of these things (a-e).
3. Does the prophecy bring peace and bear witness to your spirit? (It may cause your flesh the opposite!)
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
1 Corinthians 13:9 (NKJV) “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.”
Like a word of knowledge or word of wisdom, the gift of prophecy is spoken in part. It is not the whole picture.
If you are prophesying…
1. Do not try to interpret or explain. This is not your responsibility. In most cases, it is beyond your ability.
2. Do not expect to understand everything you say. You are not required by God to do this.
3. Do not keep talking when God is finished. This is an easy mistake to make. Fear of man and inexperience will cause this.
4. Remember that it takes practice to hear from God.
5. Remember to prophesy in a safe place, under the covering of a spiritual authority who can judge it.
6. Do not be a parking lot or curbside prophet. Do not ambush people outside the church to give them a word (outside of the presence of mature believers and known spiritual authority.)
7. Always be willing to have your word judged. Remember, If you are asked, be willing to write it down and not speak it at the moment.
9. Never be tempted to prophesy anonymously.
10. God will never interrupt Himself. Do not try to prophesy during a sermon. Be willing to hold onto your word until it can be spoken decently and in order.
Goode Christian: learning how to be a good Christian in today's world. 