How do you explain the difference between prophesying and preaching?

[rita727]

How do you explain the differences between prophesying and preaching?

 

[JimB]

How do you explain the differences between prophesying and preaching?

I have discovered that there are times when I am “preaching” I am, in fact, prophesying. I am not wise enough to touch the hearts of people but sometimes in my sermons/lessons I miraculously say things that are a revelation to people who hear it, sometimes it is even a watershed moment. I never (or at least, rarely) know when this happens. It always amazes me.

And I expect at times when you are talking to people God uses something you say to touch the heart of the person you are speaking to. You may not even be aware of it.

~Jim

Famous Last Words:

“I wonder where the mother bear is?”​

 

[ShammahBenJudah]

Preaching would fall into a sub-category of the types of prophesying. That is with the assumption that the preaching in question is inspired by God.

 

[lilmissmontana]

prophesying is telling the word ... preaching is putting our own spin on it ... with or without the Holy Spirit ... hence ... good fruit or bad fruit

 

[Solidlyhere]

I think that ShammahBenJudah has it totally backwards, when he says: "Preaching would fall into a sub-category of the types of prophesying."

To my mind, prophesying is a form a preaching.
So, out of 100% of preaching, let's say that 2% is prophesying.

Now, the OP's question.
Depending on what you consider Prophesying, the answer will vary.

If a person correctly predicts the Future, that is a Prophecy.
If he's wrong about that future event, then it's preaching.

 

[millerrod]

The difference is like the difference between a pile of hot coals and a roaring blazing fire. They are both hot enough to aid in purifying but yet they are differnet types of fires purifying at much different degrees.
As a Deciple one can preach and set a spark upon the computor screen but words delivered by the Holy Spirit through the gift of prophecy will set the computor screen on fire. And brothers and sisters i smell something burning !!

 

[ARBITER01]

How do you explain the differences between prophesying and preaching?

Prophesying is The Holy Spirit speaking through that person at that moment.

There will be a quickening on the inside of you at that moment when He is speaking. That is your personal witness from Him to know the difference.

There is a lot of preaching on this website that is called prophesying.

 

[Simon_Templar]

I think the difference is in the type of 'inspiration' involved.

you might think of it this way.

I have two men who work for me. One of them I have trained to go out and advertise for me. What he has, comes from me, but I taught it to him over time, involving his mind, and his other faculties etc. He then goes out and delivers what I have taught him.

The second guy I may not have specifically trained to present my advertising, however, I still use him as a messanger. Instead of sending him out to present my advertising, which I may not have trained him to do.. I just tell him, "Hey, go tell John this message from me" and he goes and does it.

Now there is some cross over involved. The first guy, who does my advertising will probably consult with me when he goes to different crowds, saying "which area of the advertising would you like me to present to this group? is there something special that needs to be stressed to them etc".

A third guy who works for me might be the teacher. This guy is a lot like the first guy who does my advertising... but instead of training him just to do the advertising.. I train him how to train other people, then I send him out to start training everyone else.

 

[Strong in Him]

Prophecy is forth-telling the word of God, not necessarily fore-telling.
Preaching involves prophecy - it is opening up the word, explaining it and applyng it to people and situations, or telling people how they can apply it for themselves. A sermon doesn't have to contain the words "thus saith the Lord" to be from God, and even if seems to be 90% the preacher's own thoughts and understanding, God can still speak through that.

 

[ShammahBenJudah]

I think that ShammahBenJudah has it totally backwards, when he says: "Preaching would fall into a sub-category of the types of prophesying."

To my mind, prophesying is a form a preaching.
So, out of 100% of preaching, let's say that 2% is prophesying.

Now, the OP's question.
Depending on what you consider Prophesying, the answer will vary.

If a person correctly predicts the Future, that is a Prophecy.
If he's wrong about that future event, then it's preaching.

I think the terms are mixing things up a little. The basic definition of prophesy is to speak with divine inspiration. Within that definition, prophesying as foretelling is a subcategory, right along with tongues, words of wisdom and knowledge. And if it is inspired, preaching is too.

 

[JimB]

Good preaching (without the pizzazz and showmanship) that is faithful to the Word and the Gospel is most often prophesying, IMO. God speaks through those who preach even when they do not know it.

~Jim

Famous Last Words:​

“Pull the pin and count to what?”​

 

[jonpaul]

this is kind of a tautological question.

the biblical definition of prophecy is God speaking through someone. i would hope all preaching would be God inspired.

 

[Telestar]

How do you explain the differences between prophesying and preaching?

Functionally there is no real difference. Both are the spirit of Christ in you speaking. Both produce words of life and speak faith into the hearer. Just because someone does not speak in the first person does not mean they are not prophesying.
Any speech that issues from the spirit is prophesying. It is speaking out of the spirit in a known tongue.

 

[HephzibahBenJudah]

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prohpecy. So in that aspect there is no difference or shouldn't be.

However, the office of prophet or prophecy
sees or hears what God is doing in the future and agrees with it and speaks it forth as if it is happening now.

The office of prophet is for exhorting the body and guidance in church leadership.

Have you been to church lately and were sitting there listening to the message and thought somebody read my mail this week!

A Pastor is able to preach as if he did read your mail because he's been with God who knows His own and this Pastor has gotten fresh Rhema to feed that flock for that particular season.

A Teacher should be teaching along the same lines as the Pastor is preaching ( and I don't mean from a Sunday school quarterly with the message all pre-printed) they get it directly from God.

Sunday school quarterlies are ok IF the Holy Spirit is on the same page as you are or visa versa.

Mainly there is very little difference between a preacher and a prophet.

The difference with the Evangelist is their focus in on souls saved and deliverance type ministries.
In the 5 fold ministry gifts...if they are are seeing or hearing the same thing from the same source they should be saying the same thing and going in the same direction.

The only difference is the prophecy or prophet exhorts the body and aids the church leadership in focusing on the vision for that local body.