Christian Living

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The Gift of Prophecy

Hi, I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to continue to share the topic of spiritual gifts and ministry gifts listed in Romans chapter 12. The Holy Spirit said to share the gifts in detail but practical so the new believer can be used by God in this particular gift.

Paul taught very clearly that there’s a big difference between Spiritual gifts and Ministry gifts. According to what Paul said, spiritual gifts are manifested as the Holy Spirit desires to manifest them (see 1 Cor.12:7-11). On the other hand, ministry gifts are given to those who God called to operate in those ministries, that’s why Paul said, Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? And so on…? The answer was obviously no! (See 1 Cor.12:29,30).

The clarity that Paul left behind for us to understand is that we must also make the distinction and not fall into error about this biblical fact. This is where theologians and some misguided bible teachers miss it. If they simply follow along with what Paul is saying instead of listening to D.D., or a Phd. Clown who did not receive any divine revelation of scripture on this topic, there wouldn’t be confusion on the topic of spiritual gifts or ministry gifts.

1 Corinthians 12 vs. Romans 12

Paul made a great distinction in 1Corinthians chapter 12 about ministry gifts and spiritual gifts. However, Paul did not make it here in Romans chapter 12 where we are still discussing the gifts of God.

There are 7 gifts mentioned by Paul, if we were to line them up together with the list Paul has in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. We will conclude that;

1. The Ministry gifts listed in Romans 12 are: Ministry, Teaching, Exhorter, He that gives, He that rules, and He that shows mercy.

2. The Spiritual gifts listed are: Prophecy. (Romans 12:6)

Prophecy is mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:10, as a spiritual gift. Paul says that this gift is manifested as the Holy Spirit desires to bring it about in the believer. In Romans, Paul says that if God has given us this gift according to the grace He has demonstrated we are to prophesy in proportion to our faith (Rom.12:6).

What this simply means is that based on how much faith we obtained in our Christian life to speak God’s word we are to prophesy in accordance to our faith.

Prophecy is an inspired utterance, or words spoken by divine inspiration that were not pre-planned by the speaker. It doesn’t mean you are a prophet or that you become a prophecy teacher in the body of Christ. It’s a simple gift that God uses to speak thru you to inspire someone as you speak through divine inspiration.

Paul’s definition of the gift of Prophecy

In order to support what I just said Paul himself, explains the operation of this gift of prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 14:1-3; Paul mentions several things about this gift of prophecy;

1. Paul wants us to pursue love (Verse 1)

2. Paul said desire spiritual gifts (notice he said spiritual gifts-not ministry gifts)(Verse 1)

3. Paul said especially that you may prophesy (Verse 1)

Now, Paul makes a spiritual point of the difference of speaking in unknown tongues and prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:2; Paul said;

1. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Cor.14:2)

2. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Cor.14:3)

Now we know the purpose of prophecy- it’s for speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to edification (to build people’s hope and faith thru the word of God), exhortation ( to lift people up), and comfort (to assure people that God is real and in control and still working on their behalf despite the circumstances). Paul made it plain, I just made it updated and clearer or amplified.

Prophecy is still operating: Today!

The gift of prophecy is still in operation today despite the negative criticism it’s been receiving by unbelieving pastors, leaders and pessimistic theologians. Joel predicted that in the last days our sons and daughters will prophesy (See Joel 2:28). Peter clarified Joel’s prediction and said that from his time (the time he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues until Jesus returns our sons and daughters will prophesy (Acts 2:16-21).

So Paul said desire spiritual gifts-especially to prophesy. Joel and Peter said this gift is still in operation until Jesus returns for his people. So who are you going to believe? A twisted bible teacher or Paul, Peter and Joel. I’m sorry I don’t care how many degrees you have Mr. Theologian, I’m going to believe the bible and Paul, Peter and Joel. It’s that simple.

The gift of Prophecy vs. the Prophet

Later, I will teach about the ministry of the Prophet and what the bible teaches about the Prophet’s office. However, I need to clarify that because someone is used by God in the simple gift of prophecy doesn’t mean that they’re a Prophet.

The Bible topical concordances’ makes this mistake of labeling people in scripture as prophets because God simply used them in the gift of prophecy.

Philip the Evangelists’ daughters and The Prophet Agabus- is a common mistake that theologians make by labeling Philip’s daughters as prophets in the topic concordance when scripture says otherwise.

Luke wrote, 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.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus says the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.(Acts 21:8-11)

Understanding Different Gifts and Ministries

Philip was an appointed Deacon in Acts Chapter 6, here in Acts chapter 21 he graduated to the office of an Evangelist. Philip’s 4 daughters are classified as virgin girls who prophesy. But notice that they did not predict anything in regards to Paul encountering opposition and being arrested and being handed over to the Gentiles.

It was Agabus the Prophet who predicted it. So the simple spiritual gift of prophecy does not classify a person as being a Prophet. So why do theologians get this idea? They don’t study to show themselves approved unto God a workman of not being ashamed but rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

When we study scripture and use study tools like topical concordances and dictionaries we must read what they say and read the scripture carefully to see if what they say lines up with scripture. If not, forget their opinion and stick to the biblical facts.

Nowhere else in the bible is Philip’s daughter’s mentioned as prophets. Agabus is mentioned more than once as a prophet in Acts 11:28 and here in 21:8-11). See how simple I clarified this point by the direction of the Holy Spirit this is how we should teach very clearly.

How to be used in the Spiritual gift of Prophecy

Peter is a classic example of a servant who by divine inspiration spoke that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God in Matthew 16:13-16, when Jesus was trying to find out what did the disciples believe about who He was.

Peter yield to the Holy Spirit’s voice and spoke what the Spirit of God inspired him to say.

Then shortly after this marvelous gift of prophecy was manifested in Peter, we read that Jesus began to speak about His mission of going to the cross and dying and being raised on the third day. Peter began to rebuke or speak under the wrong spirit by telling Jesus that this will not be so. Jesus says to Peter get behind me satan. (Matt.16:21-23).

Peter is not satan. Peter was used by satan for the moment to contradict Jesus’ mission. However, Jesus rebukes satan who inspired Peter.

We see how easy it is to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit then turn around to speak under the influence of an evil spirit.

This classic example is for our learning to be sensitive to the right Spirit the Holy Spirit. We also see that for the simple gift of prophecy to be used in accordance to God’s will we must be in the word of God constantly so we may be safeguarded from speaking by the influence of evil spirits.

If Peter would have known the Old Testament prophecies concerning the arrest, torture, and crucifixion, death and burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he would not have spoke against the mission of Jesus Christ.

The key to being used in the gift of prophecy is to develop your knowledge of scripture by meditating day and night, by practicing the word and staying in prayer. Then when the Holy Spirit whispers a word of prophecy to speak you will be sensitive to speak it. The word and the Holy Spirit are one and the same (See 1 John 5:8/ John 16:13).

The reason some people fell away is because they don’t know scripture. Even young ministers who know a few scriptures fall victim to speaking under the influence of the wrong spirit. That’s why people are skeptical about prophecy. I don’t blame them.

Paul said there are many voices in the world we pick them up as thoughts are injected in our minds but we need to carefully judge them according to scripture. (See 1 Cor.14:10). Peter said, if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; (1 Peter 4:11). Paul said, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith (Romans 12:6).

The more scripture we know the more God will inspire us to speak by prophecy to build people up, to encourage them and comfort them to believe that all things are possible to them that believe.

In my next article we will continue with the gifts mentioned in Romans 12:6-8. May God bless you to receive this teaching and make the adjustments to be used by God, in Jesus’ mighty name Amen.

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