The spiritual gift of prophecy

Psalm 91:1-7 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

What is Prophecy? The gift of prophecy is a regulated message or report in human words usually made to the gathered believers based on a spontaneous, personal revelation from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of edification, encouragement, consolation, conviction or guidance, but not necessarily free from a mixture of human error, and thus needing assessment on the basis of Biblical teaching and mature spiritual wisdom. -John Piper

What is Prophecy? The gift of prophecy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely-anointed utterance. -C. Peter Wagner

Prophecy is still valid and useful for the church today

1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.”

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Acts 2:17-18 And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Prophecy is a spirit-prompted, spirit-sustained utterance that is grounded in revelation

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Prophecy is for the purpose of edifying, strengthening, building up, encouraging, and comforting the body of christ

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Prophecy has to be tested to be sure that it is true and from God

Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”

How do you test a prophetic word? Is it in alignment with Scripture? Does the prophecy display the character of Christ? Does the life of the person giving the prophecy bear good fruit? Does it bear witness in my spirit and the spirits of the elders in the church? Is it from God?

Spiritual Gift of Prophecy vs. Prophetic office

Prophetic office Found most often in the old testament Enormous responsibility Speaking direct statements from god Inaccuracy could result in death Examples are moses, Isaiah, jeremiah, & Daniel Fore-telling

Spiritual gift of prophecy Found most often in the new testament Purpose is to edify, encourage, and comfort Inspired by the holy spirit Must be tested Given to many believers Forth-telling

Spiritual gift of prophecy in action Prophetic prayer Prophetic worship Word of knowledge Written message Spoken message Prophetic teaching