The Office of Prophet and the Gift of Prophecy

The Office of Prophet and the Gift of Prophecy

I want to begin here by making it clear that there is a difference in the gift of prophecy and the office of prophet. The two are different in the respect that one is a Gift of the Spirit and the other is a specific ministry office given to the body of Christ.

There are five ministry offices listed in the passage below. The five fold ministry offices given to the body of Christ were given for the work of the ministry, the perfecting of the saints and the edifying of the body of Christ. Each one has a specific function and a specific anointing,

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

In the body of Christ there are many members and God has given many gifts unto men. To some He has given the gift of prophecy. Look at the nine Gifts of the Spirit listed in the passage below.

1Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (KJV)

The gift of prophecy is the Spirit-given ability to receive and communicate timely Spirit-inspired messages from God that bring edification, exhortation, and consolation to the body of Christ , either individually or as a corporate body. To speak the heart, mind, or will of God into the lives of others, as the Spirit of God leads. (Romans 12:6; I Corinthians 14:3).

Every prophet will have the gift of prophecy but not every person who has the gift of prophecy is a prophet in the same sense that every doctor provides medical care but not every person who provides medical care is a doctor.

I take the time to distinguish the difference here in hopes of bringing clarity, because there are those in the body of Christ that have caused much confusion in teaching that all who prophesy are prophets. This simply is not true. All who prophesy are not prophets.

Look at the following passage.

1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

(KJV)

So we see God can use anybody to prophesy. Now look at the next passage.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (KJV)

In this following passage Paul makes it clear that each one has it’s place in the body but they do not all do the same or have the same calling or purpose. We see also that there is a specific difference between the office of prophet and the office of a teacher, both are mentioned separately because they are not one and the same. Is there a difference between a prophet and a teacher or pastor?

YES

Read: Ephesians 4:11; Acts 11:27-30; 13:1; 15:32; 19:6

In Acts 13:1, "Now there were in the church at Antioch certain prophets and teachers!" Some denominations tell us it is the pastor with his preaching ministry, but this is simply incorrect and should not be taught. Why in Ephesians 4:11 does he say, "And He gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers," If they are the same then why include them both in this line of scripture?

I once asked a minister of a very well known and widespread denomination, “What is a prophet?” He responded by saying it is simply a teacher. I was surprised that he would say this, but this is what this denomination teaches regarding the office of prophet.

It is not my purpose here to bash any denominations but to simply make clear to the reader that we need to use the bible as our guideline and not accept things that are taught to us that are contrary to scripture.

Are we explaining away the truth? Many refuse to believe because they have been taught man's doctrine and don't want to believe that apostles or prophets even exist in the body of Christ today. This is totally unscriptural. Many denominations teach that both the gifts of the Spirit and the offices of Apostle and Prophet ceased with the “last or the original twelve” Apostles. And that after Jesus ascended and the original twelve apostles died there were no more miracles or prophecies or prophets or apostles.

"Read Acts 21:10 -11 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.

Is this teaching? Is it preaching? Or is it prophecy by a New Testament prophet?

"Romans 12:6, "having gifts differing, according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy. . ." "Or he that teaches on teaching." (v. 7) Note there are two offices mentioned here. The prophet is to prophesy, and the teacher is to teach. It does not say that the prophet is to preach or teach. Each has their particular calling and ministry. Their gift of the Spirit is what prepares them for their peculiar ministry. Take the gift of prophecy from the prophet and we would have no prophet. We must however point out again that not all who have the gift of prophecy are called to the office of prophet.

Many churches today are practically operating on a counterfeit program. Many substitutes have been put in place of the gifts of the Spirit. I wonder would Jesus cry out again, "Because you say, 'I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,' and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Revelation 3:17

The word prophet comes from the Greek word, "prophetes," which literally means, "forth-tell." A prophet tells forth God's messages which may involve foretelling. Prophets are God's spokesmen and spokeswomen who speak to mankind on behalf of God. What a great and wonderful blessing God wants us to have through this ministry, and we have all but totally neglected it. We would be wise if we would put a stop to the religious tradition and give God His rightful place in the church today. It’s no wonder the enemy would keep us blind to such a gift, and place fear in the hearts of mankind lest it should come into operation. We should never allow ourselves to stand in God's way regarding these gifts.

Most scholars agree the Old Testament prophets proclaimed God's word to people and often predicted future events. The combination of proclamation and prediction are found in the New Testament. This is the heart of all Christian teaching. As Christians we are commanded to live like Christ and proclaim Him to others in the light of His prophesied return when this present evil world will be destroyed.

The office of Prophet:

Both Old and New Testament prophets have basic similarities. They receive their messages from God and proclaim the Word of God. They denounce sin and warn against future judgment. They often take a stand on national issues. They preach messages of repentance and hope, also foretell future events. The office of Prophet carries with it a level of authority in the body of Christ. A prophet, one who is used in the ministry office of prophet may be used to bring correction or warn of impending judgment. A person who has the simple gift of prophecy is not one who is used to bring correction to the body of Christ.

The gift of prophecy directed to the believer brings three responses according to I Corinthians 14:3:

1. It produces the building up of Christian life and character;

2. encourages discouraged believers and;

3. strengthens believers with hope.

As was stated earlier a prophet does have the gift of prophecy so you will see these things in the Prophet as well but in the prophet you will also see correction and warning. A

Prophet will always seek to direct men to the Lord and bring them into right standing with God. The bible speaks of the church as being built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. These two offices are used to keep the church in alignment with God’s plan for the church. They both carry a level of authority and hence a greater measure of responsibility.

Moses was a prophet. When Moses’ sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, they said Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

The bible shows us that God will make himself known to the prophet. The office of Prophet is an office that God alone can call one to. This is not an office one chooses for himself. Sadly though there are many self proclaimed prophets who think it is their calling in life to go about tearing down others for whatever faults they may perceive. These are they who are convinced that the title Prophet, though it is self assumed, somehow gives them the right to tear down and rebuke others according to their hearts desire. And then there are those who think the office of prophet is a glorified thing that will bring them much popularity and glory as they stand in the “lime light”.

This is a grievous thing to the heart of God. I feel it is important to mention here once again that a true prophet will always seek to turn the hearts of men toward God and not to themselves. It requires a humble heart that is willing to be despised for the sake of the call. The office of prophet is a difficult office to stand in and it is not one that brings one into a place of popularity. On the contrary it is one which will cause one to receive much affliction. Jesus himself said this regarding prophets that no prophet had any honor in his own country.

John 4:44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Speaking from experience I can tell you of a certainty there is a high cost for the anointing of the Prophet. Though the office of prophet does carry with it a level of authority it does NOT entitle a person to go about tearing people down and using the title of prophet as a cloak under which to hide. The prophet’s job and responsibility is to convey the heart of God as is revealed to him by the Lord Himself.

When we consider God is a God of love and the heart of God is mercy, we must remember that even when God uses a prophet to bring correction, he does so in the Spirit of Love with the hope of turning a person or a church or nation back to the heart of God. Even a warning is given by a prophet with the hope that it will bring repentance and prevent judgment. God will send a prophet often as a last resort before judgment comes.

Jeremiah was a weeping prophet. He knew the heart of the Lord concerning Israel and how God loved them so much and desired repentance. Jeremiah was called upon to prophesy of impending judgment because Israel would not turn back to God. Jeremiah speaks here of his sadness concerning Israel.

La 1:16 For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Can you imagine how it must have been for him to have his own people turn against him because of the times he was called upon to prophesy to them concerning their sin. Not only was he aware of the impending judgment of God but he was also rejected as was God. So he knew God’s heart and was grieved as was God. Considering the Love of God being so great that the mind of man cannot even fathom the depths thereof one must also understand that not only is God’s love so great but likewise is his grief when his people stray away, and will not return to him though he loves them so much.

The two great wrongs of history regarding prophecy have been, on the one hand, to lift it to a point of infallibility, and on the other hand, to "despise" it. While we dare not give it too great authority and over focus on it, neither do we dare reduce it to natural powers of man or do away with it altogether.

All spoken prophetic utterances today are to be judged by the Written Word of God and subject to it. The written Word of God is to be like a plumb line for us to live by and to compare all things to. (Deuteronomy 4:2).

There are various levels or degrees of inspiration in prophetic utterances in the NT. Concerning Prophets who prophesy, some have a greater authority because of their personal knowledge of God and overall maturity as well as their level of intimacy with him. Such intimacy is gained by fellowship and spending time with God, listening to him and seeking his will. For example, Moses spoke with greater authority than did the seventy elders who prophesied (Numbers 11:25-29). There are differing degrees of unction, or anointing, given by the Holy Spirit for individual prophecies. Not all prophets prophesy in the same sphere. God uses prophets in differing ways. Some are used to prophecy to nations, some to people groups, some to the body as a whole, while others are given prophecies for individuals.

What are some of the different ways prophecy may come to a person and be expressed?

Prophecies may come in varied ways:

A. As spontaneous utterances--something revealed on the spot that is totally unpremeditated and comes bubbling up from the Holy Spirit within. While nothing is actually seen or heard, strong impressions or thoughts flood from the spirit of the man or woman and fill his mind. I Corinthians 14:30; 2:9-16. These thoughts are then spoken in the meeting in a timely and disciplined manner.

B. Through visions or trances--this may be more in the realm of the prophet's ministry, though it could happen to anyone. Ananias is an example in Acts 9:10-16. This was a common experience for the Old Testament prophets: Isaiah 6; Revelation 1:11; Numbers 24:1-6.

C. Through dreams and night visions. Daniel 7:1-28; Genesis 37:5-9; Numbers 12:6; Joel 2:8.

D. Through angels. Revelation 1:1; Acts 10:22; 27:23-26.

There are also different types of prophets. Some are “seers”, who receive most of the messages through visions and dreams. Some are “sensors”, who perceive in their spirits what God would say. And some are hearers who hear the voice of God whether audible or in the spirit. Some are “knowers”, who simply know in their spirits what God wants to say to his people. Many prophets are psalmists who are musically gifted as was David the psalmist, and often receive a prophetic song in their spirits.

. Prophecies may be expressed or delivered in various ways:

A. By simply speaking or verbalizing them under the unction (direction) of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:4, 6, 19).

B. Through demonstrative actions acting them out in a parables or figurative expression. This seems to be almost exclusively in the realm of the ministry of a prophet; I Samuel 15:26-28; Acts 21:1-11.

C. Through writing them down--many of the prophecies of the Old Testament were given in advance to the time they were delivered or written. Again, this seems to relate to a higher level of prophecy than that which comes from the general congregation for edification, exhortation and comfort. Revelation 1:11; Jeremiah 36:18. This type of function should never be considered anything like Scripture, or addition to Scripture.

D. Through prophesying in song or with music: II Kings 3:15; I Chronicles 25:3; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.

There is so much more that could be said regarding the office of prophet and the gift of prophesy but to do so would require me to write a book. Perhaps some day in the future I will do just that but for now I hope this article has been of some help to you.