Prophecy, Gift of
Prophecy
Pastor Keith Hassell
KENNETH HAG1N: "Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue." Concerning Spiritual Gifts, p. 85
LESTER SUMRALL: "Prophecy is a supernatural utterance that comes from a person who is anointed to speak the treasures of God to the Body of Christ." The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit, p. 112.
DENNIS BENNETT: "The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers speak the mind of God, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and not from their own thoughts." The Holy Spirit and You, p. 99
I. DEFINITION: The gift of prophecy is an instantaneous and divine revelation and utterance of the mind of God.
II. The Importance of the Gift of Prophecy
A. Prophecy is mentioned 22 times in 1 Corinthians 11-14.
B. Paul places special emphasis upon it (l Corinthians 14:1)
C. It is the greatest of the Inspiration Gifts (1 Corinthians 14:5)
1. Tongues + Interpretation of Tongues = Prophecy
III. What is Prophecy?
A. The Hebrew word for "to prophesy" means "to flow forth." It also carries the thought "to bubble forth like a fountain, to let drop, to lift up, to tumble forth, to spring forth."
B. The Greek word translated "prophesy" means "to speak for another."
C. In general, "prophecy" is a VEHICLE designed to carry a message from f God to others.
IV. The Purpose of the Gift of Prophecy
A. The simple manifestation of prophecy is given for three purposes:
1. “Edification” (Strongs #3619 meaning, “building, architecture”)
2. “Exhortation (Strongs #3874 meaning, “implore, entreat”)
3. “Comfort” (Strongs # 3889 meaning, “console, comfort”)
B. Prophecy that goes beyond these three purposes ceases to be the simple manifestation of prophecy
V. What the Gift of Prophecy is NOT
A. It is not foretelling the future
B. It is not a means of guidance
C. It is not preaching
D. It is not rebuke
E. It is not a "ministry of criticism"
1. Promoting one person's opinion above another
F. It is not the office of a prophet
NOTE: The Gift of Prophecy can contain an element of anointed warning and counsel designed to encourage men and women to be ready when Jesus returns
VI. What is the difference between the gift of Prophecy and "Prophetic Ministry"?
A. The Gift of Prophecy is designed simply to carry messages of edification, exhortation, and comfort.
B. The Gift of Prophecy is not given based on maturity level
C. The prophetic ministry, in addition to edification, exhortation, and comfort, involves the operation of two or more of the three revelation gifts: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, and Discerning of spirits.
D. Prophetic Ministry sees into the times and seasons of God
E. The prophetic ministry is both a calling and an office in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11)
F. The person in prophetic ministry is subject to the same maturity, responsibility, qualification, and accountability standards as any other office in the Body of Christ (Example: Pastor, Teacher, Apostle, Evangelist)
G. All may prophesy (l Corinthians 14:31) but not all are prophets (l Corinthians 12:29)
VII. What should be the attitude of the Body of Christ toward the Gift of Prophecy?
A. Desire to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1)
B. Covet to prophesy (1Corinthians 14:39)
C. Despise not prophesying (1 Thessalonians 5:20)
VIII. Prophecy involves the two elements of “timing” and “unction”
A. A message may be received but the unction to give it may not be given. In such a case, we should hold the message until God gives the unction to speak it forth
B. 1 Corinthians 14:3 The spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets
C 2 Peter 1:21 No prophecy…comes by the will of man but by the moving of the Holy Spirit
IX. Ways prophecy can be released
A. Spoken (“Thus says the Lord…”; “I feel the Spirit of the Lord is saying…”; “God has spoken to my heart that ….”; etc.)
B. Written
C. Sung
D. Illustrated