The Spiritual Gift Of Prophecy

**The Gift of Prophecy: A Biblical Perspective**

The gift of prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, and its importance and relevance to the Church have been debated throughout history. In this article, we will explore the biblical references to the gift of prophecy and discuss whether it still exists in the Church today.

### Biblical References to the Gift of Prophecy

1. **1 Corinthians 12:10:** "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." This verse lists prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to believers.

2. **1 Corinthians 14:1:** "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." Here, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to desire the gift of prophecy, indicating its importance in the life of the Church.

3. **1 Corinthians 14:3:** "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Prophecy is described as a gift that builds up, encourages, and comforts believers.

4. **1 Corinthians 14:29-31:** "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." This passage outlines the guidelines for the exercise of the gift of prophecy in the Church, emphasizing order and accountability.

5. **Acts 2:17-18:** "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." This prophecy from Joel, quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost, foretells the widespread distribution of the gift of prophecy among believers.

6. **Acts 21:9:** "And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." This verse mentions Philip the evangelist's daughters, who were known for their gift of prophecy.

### The Continuation of Prophecy in the Church Today

While some argue that the gift of prophecy ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon, many believers and theologians maintain that prophecy continues to operate in the Church today. They point to several reasons to support this belief:

1. **The Nature of God:** God is unchanging, and His desire to communicate with His people has not diminished. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the gift of prophecy would continue as a means of divine communication.

2. **The Purpose of Prophecy:** Prophecy is intended for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of believers (1 Corinthians 14:3). As long as the Church exists and believers need encouragement and guidance, the gift of prophecy remains relevant.

3. **Scriptural Precedent:** Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of prophecy being exercised in the Church. If prophecy was essential for the early Church, it stands to reason that it would continue to be relevant for believers today.

4. **Personal Testimony:** Many Christians testify to experiencing or witnessing prophetic words that have brought confirmation, encouragement, or direction in their lives.

### Conclusion

The gift of prophecy is a valuable spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Church. While opinions may differ on its operation in the present day, the biblical references to prophecy and the testimonies of believers around the world attest to its continued relevance and impact in the Church today. As believers, let us seek to cultivate a spirit of discernment and humility as we navigate the gift of prophecy in our lives and in the life of the Church.

The spiritual gift of prophecy is an extraordinary and unique gift.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts (all of them), especially that you may prophesy (the gift of prophecy).”  This gift is a blessing to the church and should not be quenched or despised (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Those who have the gift of prophecy differ from the Old Testament Prophets who spoke the authoritative Word of God directly. Their words were recorded as Scripture as they proclaimed, “Thus says The Lord,” whereas the messages from those with the spiritual gift of prophecy must be tested (1 Corinthians 14:29-33; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1-3) with revealed scripture.  

In the New Testament the Apostles of Christ (commissioned and given authority by Him) as prophetic oracles of Christ, took over the role of Scriptural proclamation from the Old Testament Prophets. Theses particular Apostles wrote the entire New Testament. While these unique Apostles of Christ are no more, we see a continuance of apostolic and prophetic ministry within the church since the days of the Apostles of Christ till now. The fivefold ministry will continue until the last soul chosen in Christ is saved and the body of Christ has come to its full maturity. (Eph 5)

In the New Testament church, we are presented with the gift of prophecy. The Greek word for the gift of prophecy is propheteia which is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others in the church and to the world.  These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction, disclosure of secret sins, prediction of future events (not just biblical eschatology), comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3-4, 24-25).  Again, they do not constitute the authoritative Word of God but are the "word of the Lord" given by the Spirit of God as revelation received.  They are spoken by human words and must be tested against the Scriptural truth (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). Having discernment that comes from God's Word and by the Holy Spirit is essential when judging prophecy. (Hosea 14:9; Heb 5:14; 1 Kings 3:9)

The Holy Spirit gives the gift of prophecy to believers to make God’s heart and divine will be known so as to edify (etc) the church.  This gift is for the benefit of both believers and unbelievers (as a supernatural witness of/for Christ) and is a sign that God is truly among His church (1 Corinthians 14:22-25).  Those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body.  They should be of an understanding heart and continually study the Scriptures in order to test these revelations before speaking them.  When they do speak, they should allow and even expect prophetic oversight to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret or confirm the message accordingly.  In this way the church may be continually built up together in unity and faith (1 Corinthians 14:4, 26).  See also Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:10-11.

**Discerning True Prophecy: A Biblical Guide for Believers**

The gift of prophecy is a precious and powerful gift given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification, encouragement, and comfort of the Church. However, alongside genuine prophecy, there exists the possibility of false or misleading prophetic words. In this article, we will explore a step-by-step guide based on the Bible to help believers discern true prophecy from false prophecy.

### Step 1: Know the Word of God

**Scriptural Foundation:** The first and most critical step in discerning true prophecy is a solid knowledge of the Word of God. The Bible serves as the ultimate standard by which all prophetic utterances must be tested. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

**Application:** Regular study and meditation on Scripture will help believers develop a discerning spirit and recognize when a prophetic word aligns with the teachings of Scripture.

### Step 2: Test the Spirits

**Scriptural Foundation:** Believers are instructed to test every spirit to see whether it is from God, as not every spirit is of God. (1 John 4:1)

**Application:** Before accepting a prophetic word, prayerfully evaluate the source of the prophecy. Is it consistent with the character and nature of God as revealed in Scripture? Does it exalt Jesus Christ as Lord?

### Step 3: Examine the Fruit

**Scriptural Foundation:** Jesus taught that true prophets can be identified by their fruits, emphasizing the importance of examining the character and lifestyle of those claiming to prophesy. (Matthew 7:15-20)

**Application:** Evaluate the life and character of the individual delivering the prophetic word. Do they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)? (Galatians 5:22-23)

### Step 4: Seek Confirmation

**Scriptural Foundation:** The Bible advises believers to weigh and judge prophetic words, indicating that confirmation from multiple sources can help validate a prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

**Application:** Seek confirmation of the prophetic word from mature, trusted believers who are also led by the Spirit. A consensus among wise counselors can provide assurance of the word's authenticity.

### Step 5: Test the Motives

**Scriptural Foundation:** The Bible warns against false prophets who prophesy for personal gain, fame, or influence. (Jeremiah 23:16, Matthew 7:21-23)

**Application:** Examine the motives behind the prophetic word. Is the focus on glorifying God and building up the Church, or is it self-serving? True prophecy will align with God's purposes and seek the welfare of His people.

### Step 6: Exercise Discernment

**Scriptural Foundation:** The gift of discernment is essential for distinguishing between true and false prophecy. (1 Corinthians 12:10)

**Application:** Pray for the gift of discernment and listen attentively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Trust the inner witness of the Spirit to confirm or reject prophetic words.

### Conclusion

The gift of prophecy is a precious and valuable tool for the Church when exercised in accordance with biblical principles. By following this step-by-step guide based on Scripture, believers can confidently discern true prophecy from false prophecy and safeguard themselves and the Church from deception. May we always be diligent in testing every spirit and holding fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21), for the glory of God and the edification of His people.