The gift of prophecy is one of the most important spiritual gifts. Christians are commanded to desire the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1, 39). Do you desire to prophesy? Do you know it is possible for you to prophesy because the Holy Spirit is inside you? Paul wants all believers to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:5).
Prophecy means speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Instead of speaking out of one’s mind, experience, or what one knows, prophesying means speaking as the Holy Spirit gives revelation. Prophesying is beyond the limitation of human ability. It is something supernatural that reveals insights from God. It is possible for each Christian to hear from God. This is to be normal. Because we can hear from God, we can speak God’s words.
The gift of prophecy is a good thing. It is a gift from God. As the church grows into her role as the bride of Christ, the gift of prophecy will become more and more important.
Prophesying doesn’t mean writing Scripture. Many people prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments but they all didn’t write Scripture. When we are commanded to desire to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1), we are not desiring to write Scripture. The Bible is complete, and nothing more can be added to it. The Bible is a perfect revelation of God to us, and no one has authority to add to it or take away from it.
The Bible says that we need prophecies until Jesus comes (1 Cor. 13:8). At that time we will see God face to face, and we will no longer need prophesying because we will be flooded with the light of God. Until then, prophesying is important because it gives us glimpses of God while we live in this world. The gift of prophecy will continue to be an important part of the church until the church is glorious and united together (Eph. 4:11-13).
There is a difference between someone who is a prophet and someone who has the gift of prophecy. A prophet has a particularly strong gift of prophecy who operates regularly in this gift. The gift of prophecy is so strong in the life of a prophet that his life has begun to be defined by this gift. Because of this he can provide important leadership to the church.
The New Testament reveals some important facts about prophets. Prophets are one of the primary leadership positions of the church (Eph. 4:11). Prophets, along with apostles, comprise the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20). Prophets follow apostles in order of importance as church leadership positions (1 Cor. 12:28).
There are several prophets mentioned in the New Testament. Agabus was a prophet. He prophesied of a famine that would affect the Jerusalem church, and because of this prophecy, help was sent to the Jerusalem church. Agabus also prophesied about Paul being arrested (Acts 21:10). There were several prophets in the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1). Judas and Silas were prophets (Acts 15:32). Philip had four daughters who had a strong prophetic gift (Acts 21:9).
Prophecy often involves telling the future, but it is more than that. Prophecy means speaking the word of God by immediate revelation. God knows everything. There is nothing hidden from him. When we hear from him, we can know things that are beyond our own ability to know. The spiritual knowledge that comes through prophecy is powerful. Prophecy can expose secrets (1 Cor. 14:24-25). When hidden things in hearts are exposed, people can be very surprised and their lives can be transformed. The gift of prophecy also involves understanding mysteries and knowledge (1 Cor. 13:2).
Prophecy was very common in the early church. It was one of the primary ways the church was built up.
1 Corinthians 14 reveals how prophecy should function in the church. Prophecy edifies others and builds up the church. It exhorts and comforts (1 Cor. 14:3). 2 or 3 prophets can speak in a church meeting, and they must speak one at a time. While a person is prophesying, others must discern whether what they are saying is true (1 Cor. 14:29). If a revelation comes to another prophet while one is speaking, the first person should be quiet and allow the other to speak (1 Cor. 14:30). Prophesying is not out of control, but those who prophesy are in control of themselves (1 Cor. 14:32).
Prophesying is similar to the gift of tongues. Both of these gifts enable a person to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Tongues is inspired speech in a language the speaker does not understand, but prophecy is inspired speech in a language the speaker and the hearer both understand. This is why prophecy is more valuable for the church.
Christians should not despise prophecies. Sometimes when we are exposed to false prophecies, we are tempted to reject all prophecies. However, we should not despise all prophecies, but we should test prophecies because some prophecies will be false and some will be true (1 Thess. 5:20-21).
A true prophecy will line up with the word of God. No true prophecy will contradict the Bible.
A prophet must confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh (1 John 4:1-2). This means he will admit that Jesus came in a physical body. It also means that his prophecy will be based on the word of God and the teachings of Jesus.
If a prophecy doesn’t come to pass, we can know it is not from God (Deut. 18:21-22).
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). When the gift of prophecy operates, Jesus witnesses to God’s people. He speaks to them. Prophecy is a sign that Jesus is present among us. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. He wants to speak through us by the gift of prophecy so that we are warned of future events, encouraged by his words to us today, and secrets are revealed.
The church needs the gift of prophecy in order to fulfill its potential. Let us desire this gift.
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