Prophecy

[Allan Walker]

PROPHECY​

Prophecy is defined in the New Testament on three levels.
1. Firstly there is the gift of the prophet, that is, one of the five ministry gifts.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11, NIV)​

2. Secondly there are those within the church who have the gift of prophecy.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;… (Romans 12:6, NIV)​

3. Then we are told that we all may prophecy.

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. (1 Corinthians 14:31, NIV)​

Just how these are meant to operate within the Body of Christ is a matter for debate. My understanding is that the ministry gift of the prophet would minister across a range of local churches while those with the gift of prophecy would exercise this gift mainly within a local church setting.

The role of prophecy, as far as the local church is concerned is:

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:3, NIV)​

On the wider front, we read of the prophet Agabus who prophesied a severe famine which eventually came to pass.

One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) (Acts 11:28, NIV)​

I would be very interested to hear of your understanding of this important element of the functioning church.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1, NIV)​

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[Mr. M]

I would be very interested to hear of your understanding of this important element of the functioning church.

A strong foundation for understanding prophecy is found in a surprising place, with the Father of Faith.
Here is the first use of nabi=prophet. YHVH speaks to a king named Abimelech in a dream.
Genesis 20:7. Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you
and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.

So what was a prophet first and foremost? You see it stated in this verse, he is an intercessor. We
first saw this in a previous chapter, when Abraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah,
in the well known intercession found in Genesis 18.
:23 And Abraham came near and said, Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

So before The Lord ever started warning the people and instructing the people by the prophet,
they were men and women called to be intercessors. They are the watchmen.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Regarding your No. 3 - verse 29 states the ALL in verse 31 are Prophets - not all believers in attendance as you imply.

The Prophetic in the church is largely muted.

The fellowship of the prophets does not exist yet was established in NT life.

This results in a church deaf to what is happening spiritually.

 

[Allan Walker]

Regarding your No. 3 - verse 29 states the ALL in verse 31 are Prophets - not all believers in attendance as you imply.
The Prophetic in the church is largely muted.
The fellowship of the prophets does not exist yet was established in NT life.
This results in a church deaf to what is happening spiritually.

Carl, You make a valid point.

Where I am coming from is that I see the church as building itself up when Christians meet together and share with one another what God has placed upon their hearts.

This is what I think is being described in 1 Corinthians 12:7‑11. There it talks about “a message of wisdom, a message of knowledge, faith,” and so on for a total of nine different “manifestations of the Spirit.” I agree that these are not defined as prophecies (except for one of them), but are available to all “for the common good.”

The removal of the prophetic voice from the church has indeed left it deaf to what is happening spiritually. Instead, it has created an enormous black hole which, rather than giving out life and light, draws everything around it into itself and crushes it all into nothingness.

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