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THE HOLY SPIRIT Study No.17.
XVII. The gift of Prophecy.
A. DEFINITION.
The gift of prophecy is speaking under the direct supernatural
influence of the Holy Spirit. It is becoming God's
mouthpiece, to verbalise His words as the Spirit directs. The
word used in 1 Corinthians 12-.10 is the Greek word
"propheteia," and means speaking forth the mind and counsel of
God.,' It is inseparable in its New Testament usage with the
concept of direct inspiration of the Spirit.
--Revelation 19-.10 - "For the testimony of Jesus is the
Spirit of prophecy. . . "
Prophecy is the very voice of Christ speaking in the Church.
Jeremiah 33:11 speaks of the "voice of the bride and of the
bridegroom." This depicts Christ speaking to His bride, the
Church.
B. Is prophecy valid for our day?
YES! The New Testament refers about thirty times to prophecy
and prophesying as a continuing part of the Church.
In Joel 2:28, it was prophesied that there would be prophecy
in our days. This was confirmed by Peter on the day of
Pentecost. (Acts 2:16-,18)
--l Corinthians 13:8-13 shows us that prophecy will be with us
until "that which is perfect is come". the second coming of
Christ and the maturing of perfecting of the Church.
C. What are the purpose of prophecy?
1. Edification - "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to
edification ... (1 Corinthians 14:3) This is an
architectural word speaking of building, erecting, or
putting stones into place.
This is one means God has provided whereby we may
"edifice", or build up, the Church. It is vital that we
build with quality materials (gifts, ministries) instead
of wood, hay and stubble.
(1 Corinthians 3:10 -15)
2. Exhortation - 1 Corinthians 14:3 - The dictionary says
that to exhort is to "incite, encourage, to advise and
warn earnestly." Many times prophecies contain strong
urging and earnest admonition. This often is the very
mood and attitude" of God being spoken to His people
along a given line. This makes a strong impression on
those who have ears to hear.
This is illustrated in Hosea 6:1-3. The people were
exhorted regarding their direction: They "must return".
They were told what the their direction and produced.
They were told what changes were needed and what it would
produce.
The entire Chapter of 1 Timothy 4 also illustrates this
type of prophetic utterance.
3. Comfort - 1 Corinthians 14:3 - Vine says this Greek word
for comfort (paramuthia) means "primarily a speaking
closely to anyone, hence denotes consolation, comfort,
with a greater degree of tenderness than parpklesis."
(Parakelsis means a calling to one's side.)
The prophetic word is Christ not only drawing near and
speaking but speaking in great personal concern and
tenderness and care. This is a great comfort. It not
only makes us aware that He is there and speaking, but
that He speaks with great intimacy and concern.
D. What are some of the different ways prophecy may come to a
person and be expressed?
1. Prophecies may come:
a. As spontaneous utterance - something revealed on
the spot that is totally unpremeditated and comes
from the Spirit within. While nothing is actually
seen or heard, strong impressions or thoughts flood
from the spirit of the man and fill his mind.
(1 Corinthians 14:30; 2:9-16) These thoughts are
then spoken in the meeting in a timely manner.
b. Through visions or "trances" - this may be more in
the realm of the prophet's ministry, though it
could happen to anyone. (Ananias is an example -
Acts 9: 10-16 This was a common experience for the
Old Testament prophets. Isaiah 6; Revelation 1:11;
Numbers 24:1-6)
c. Through dreams and night visions. (Daniel 7-1-28;
Genesis 37:5-9; Numbers 12:6; Joel 2:8)
d. Through the medium of an angel. (Revelation 1:1;
Acts 10:22; 27,23-26)
2. Prophecies may be expressed or delivered -
a. By simply speaking or verbalising them under the
unction of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians
14:4,6.19, etc.)
b. Through demonstrative actions, acting them out in a
parabolic or figurative form. This seems to be
almost exclusively in the realm of the ministry of
a prophet. (l Samuel 15:26-28, Acts 21: 10-11,
etc.)
C. Through writing them down - many of the prophecies
of the Old Testament were given in advance to the
time they were delivered or written. Again, this
seems to relate to a higher level of prophecy than
that which comes from the general congregation for
edification, exhortation and comfort. (See
Revelation 1:11; Jeremiah 36:18)
d. Through prophesying in song or with musical
accompaniment (2 Kinas 3:15; 1 Chronicles 25:3;
Colossians 3:16
E. Why is prophecy to be judged.?
--1 Corinthians 13:9 - "For we know in part, and we prophesy
in part ... it
--1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 - "Despise not prophesyings. Prove
all things, hold fast that which is good."
--1 Corinthians 14:29 - "Let the prophets speak two or three,
and let the other judge."
--l John 4:l -"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try
whether they are of God..."
These references show us that prophecy is still an imperfect
gift. We must understand that all of God's dealings through
man involve both the natural and supernatural elements. The
purity of the prophecy therefore depends on the degree of
yieldedness to God. As long as we are human, there will
always be the possibility of mixture. This is why we have
need for controls, and the weighing or judging of prophecy.
There are these three spirits potentially involved in
prophecy.
1. The human spirit. (Jeremiah 23:16; Ezekiel 13:3)
2. The Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3, 7-10; 1 Timothy
4:1)
3. Evil Spirits. (1 Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:25-26;
Ephesians 2:1-3)
Who is to Judge prophecy?
1. Every believer who has the Spirit within him.The actual
ability to discern error will vary according to level of
maturity and experience. (1 John 2:27; 1 Corinthians
2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, John 10:27) The Lord has
given His sheep an uncanny ability to recognise His
voice. That inner witness of His Spirit is a comfort to
us all.
2. The elders of the local assembly. (See Hebrews 13:17; 2
Timothy 4:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:17; Ephesians 4:11-16) This
is a part of their accountability: to guard the flock.
(,John 10:1-13; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29; Isaiah 21:11;
Zechariah 9:9.)
3. Those with the gift of discernment. (1 Timothy 12:3,10.)
4. Prophets. (1 Corinthians 14:29)
NOTE. The New Testament prophets ministered in plurality
for the purpose of confirming each other's message. (Acts
11:27; 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:29)
G. How is prophecy to be judged?
1. By the word of God - (Hebrews 4:12-, Revelation 22:18, 1
Corinthians 14:37; Isaiah 8:19-20. 1 Timothy 6:3: 2
Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; 2 John 7:11)
2. By the witness of the Spirit - not only will it agree
with the letter, but also with the spirit of the Word.
This will be witnessed by the inner witness of the Spirit
in both shepherd and flock. ( 1 John 2:21; 1 Corinthians
2:15)
3. By the tests of 1 John 4:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 12:3 if
necessary. The three key questions to he asked of the
Spirit as contained in these verses are:
a. "Is Jesus Christ come in the flesh ?"
b. "Is Jesus Christ accursed?"
c. "Is Jesus Christ the (your) Lord?"
4. By its fruit. does it edify and produce life and liberty?
Is it a "clear sound, or a confused sound? Does the one
prophesying manifest the fruit of the Spirit?
(Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Corinthians 14.3-4)
5. By whether or not it is fulfilled (if it contains
predictions, promises, etc.) (Deuteronomy 18:21 -22)
NOTE: God allows the false to continue, and even
to come within the walls of His church for the
purpose of adding clarity and vividness to the
truth. Thus we learn well by the contrast. He
also uses the occasion of error to vindicate His
true servants and openly manifest who are His
appointed leaders among His people. (Deuteronomy
13:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:19)
At times it is in order in a public assembly for the
Pastor or a senior elder to evaluate and interpret to the
people what the previous prophesies have said. In this
way, he can clarify and summarise the message of the
Spirit for that meeting and add his own sense of
direction and then lead the People in prayer as a
corporate response to the Spirit's message. This
weighing and interpreting of Prophetic utterances is an
important aspect of the public "judging" of prophecies.
During this time, the pastor can point out to the people
what was of God by it. If something has been said that
was questionable, He can partly correct the error by
simple omission or by going around it. If the error was
serious enough or a threat to the Body, He can make
public correction of it. If it was of a less serious
nature, He can deal with it privately.