Prophets

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Dear Brody,

This is a really major question. There are many areas to cover to this, but in all honesty, i think that this article can cover this better than i can. i will be honest with you, there is more i don’t know about this calling then i do. This article by brother Stephen Hanson could answer some of these questions.

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The next topic of discussion is to be one of maturing in the prophetic as you have said-- Is this true? There are issues still out among us that are important I believe, and part of that is how we handle the gift(s), and conduct ourselves in a church, gathering, conference, etc. The issue of "timing," as to "when" to deliver a word, or perhaps even "how." How pastors and prophets work together. How also apostles and prophets work together, and how there are also "blending of the offices" in the body as well.

I have several teachings concerning these things, as well as clearly defined guidelines concerning the "gift of prophecy," and the office thereof. Although perhaps we can't clearly define some things, we still need some teaching and foundational guidance concerning some of these things. We are told that "all may prophesy," and to earnestly seek the gift. Now while this is true, then, we are not all prophets to be sure, and therein, is part and parcel of the confusion which still plagues the church. It is not only that we might encourage the "gift of prophecy" in a gathering, but how to handle and judge personal prophecy, words of wisdom, and words of knowledge. If we look at I Co. Gift of Prophecy has to do with: *edification *exhortation *comfort I Co.14:3--(These are the boundaries for the "gift of prophecy") When prophetic words go beyond these boundaries into direction, correction, or illumination, then the prophetic office and/or prophetic ministry is being demonstrated.

You will notice that the average prophetic utterance to the church is one of exhortation and encouragement. However, once a person starts to speak forth a Word of Wisdom or Word of Knowledge from God by means of the Gift of Prophecy, only then do we start to see the elements of a prophetic ministry appearing. Now the message is not only one of exhortation and encouragement. It starts to take on elements of correction, instruction and direction. Rather than speaking in general terms, the prophetic utterance becomes one of "thus says the Lord to you specifically in your current situation and concerning your future." In other words, the prophetic utterance starts to become directive.

Jay these are just a few thoughts; I have many, and yes, to be a servant unto others is of course paramount. My intention in these few words is simply to help spell out some things which are still misunderstood, and help bring us unto maturity in Him. This then, is just an introduction, and more will come. Your thoughts and insights are welcome.

Yours in Him,
Stephen Hanson

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Jay ,
Here is a LOT of other information, basically describing some of the key points to the prophetic office, along with guidelines and/or differences between the "gift" and the office.(I have another teaching concerning Part II.(I have included a small part of that below at the very bottom.) and also one on "Prophetic Maturity."

Stephen Hanson

About Prophets and Prophecy I.

Office of Prophet

Gift of Prophecy

  • I Co.14:3--(These are the boundaries for the "gift of prophecy")
    •

    • Characteristics of Mature Prophets

    1. Not a novice
    2. Accurate prophetic word
    3. Accountable to other 5-fold ministries
    4. Good knowledge of the word of God
    5. Is teachable
    6. Open to correction
    7. Not a Lone Ranger
    8. Treats people with kindness
    9. Directs attention to Jesus, not to himself

    Characteristics of Immature Prophets

    1. Makes a lot of prophetic mistakes
    2. Only accountable to God (he says) not to man.
    3. Has a low-word level
    4. Generally unteachable
    5. Does not respond well to correction
    6. Could be out on the field, on his own without a covering
    7. He is harsh with people
    8. Many of his prophecies are judgmental

    (With counseling and a lot of teaching, he can change his ways.)

    Characteristics of False Prophets-

    I Thess.5:21

    1. Those who speak in the name of "other Gods"
    2. Those who speak falsely in Jehovah's name
    3. The word is false
    4. The word does not line-up with the word of God
    5. Does not receive Godly instruction
    6. Totally unteachable
    7. Draws attention totally to himself and not to God

    True words and False Words

    1. True prophet that brings a true word--II Chron. 12:5
    2. True prophet that brings a false word--I Kings 13
    3. False prophet that brings a true word--Josh 13:22
    4. False prophet that brings a false word--Numb. 23:5-10, 22:7, 24:1

    Motives

    *(It becomes very important for those who are called as a prophet to realize that there is a "preparation time", and also, a "training" time. Both of these periods of time can become Quite "lengthy," and arduous. They are quite important, however, in developing the Fruitfulness, as well as the maturity which is needed for this office.)

    Below are some "signs" which will probably give evidence to the calling of a person to the Prophetic office:

    Types of Prophecy:

    1. Word of God
    2. Messianic Prophecies
    3. Biblical prophecies-(end time prophecy, etc.)
    4. Personal prophecy

    Fruitfulness:

    IICo. 6:3, II. Co. 4:5

    Spirit of Prophecy & the Song of the Lord:

    Rev. 19:10, Jud. 14:6, Jud. 13:10; II. Chron. 24:20, II.Chron. 20:12, 17, I. Sam. 19:20, 24, I Sam. 18:6, 7

    Presbytery

    I Tim. 4:14, Acts 13:1, 3; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:21, 23

    Personal Prophecy: Partial & Progressive

    God's revelation comes in part. We know in part, and prophesy in part. I. Co. 13:9. God reveals only what we need to know for the will of our life. Deut. 29:29--The secret things belong to the Lord.

    Personal Prophecy-Unconditional & Conditional

    Unconditional--will take place no matter what happens. Rev. 11:15 Gen. 9:15, 16--No devil, angel, or human, can prevent an unconditional prophecy.
    -An irrevocable decree. Examples: Nebuchadnezzar's dream--Dan. 2 -Abraham's prophecy-Gen. 17:6, 8
    Unconditional Prophecies can be postponed, but not cancelled.

    Jonah sent to Ninevah. 100 yrs. Later it happened during Nathum 1-3. Isa. 38:11, 22 Eze. 12:25--It will happen, or come to pass irregardless. Example of Isaiah and Hezekiah.

    Conditional

    Acts 9:1, 6; Acts 9:10, 16--restore eyes. I Tim. 1:18, 4:15--Requires cooperation from the recipient. Meditate on these things.

    "All prophecy is conditional, whether conditions are stated or not."

    Using Prophecy for important decisions:

    Go to the seer--I. Sam. 9:9; I. Kings 22:6 Using Prophecy for important decisions:

    Romance/Marriage

    Be very careful--need a confirmation. Should be confirmation only.

    Business Endeavors

    Left to Mature prophets only.

    Pregnancies, births, babies--Normally given to prepare couples.

    The prophetic rhema word activates and opens the barren womb. Prophets prepare the way for Christ's coming.

    Mal. 4:5; Matt. 11:14; Matt. 12(17):11, 12; Matt. 3:1-4; I. Co. 4:15
    **God works on our desires, and changes those desires in time, to line-up with the prophetic word given.
    **Prophets are God's spokesman--Heb. 1:1-2; Eph. 4:8-11; I Tim. 4:1; Amos 3:7

    Timing

    Spirit Witness

    If you want to know the specific will of God, depart from evil, do good, and seek peace. Ps. 34:14.
    --Don't do anything until you have peace.

    Fruit of Spirit

    Need gifts and fruits. Spiritual mind is shown by a life of peace. Rom. 8:6

    Clearance

    "Strainings"..Acts 16:6, 9

    Counsel

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    Some information from Part II:

    Another passage that clearly shows the distinction is Acts 21:9 9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. 10. And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. Philip had four daughters that exercised a prophetic ministry, but they were not classed as prophets. Agabus however, held the prophetic office and was referred to as a prophet.

    The term is not only used for prophets but also for teachers. We see both mentioned in Acts 13:1

    1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

    Someone may be able to teach or prophesy, but only when they have been permanently appointed to the office of prophet or teacher can they be called by such a title. The same applies to the apostolic ministry. The early apostles, as well as those who followed later and including the apostles of today, have been permanently appointed to that office by the Lord.

    The Fivefold Ministry Offices

    There are 5 Ministry Offices mentioned in the New Testament. These are commonly called the FiveFold Ministry. However they are far more than just ministry functions. They are all ministry offices. Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

    There are some important facts that you need to understand about the ministry offices before you can grasp the importance of the prophetic office. To help make things clearer, we need to consider one other passage of Scripture.

    1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed some in the church, firstly apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, supports, directors, various different tongues. 29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

    Here are the important facts that you need to keep in mind where ministry offices are concerned.

    They are given by God, not man. So a person does not receive them from human ordination and they are not subject to human authority. They are subject only to the authority of the Lord. They are not local church ministries, but are gifts to the Body Universal. In other words when a person is given a ministry office, they can exercise it anywhere in the world. It is a permanent ministry given by God. It is not so much that a person has been given the office, but that the office has been given in the person as a gift to the church. There is an order of establishment and authority amongst the ministries. This order is shown in the second passage above. Only three of the five ministries are mentioned specifically in this passage, although the others are implied from their functions. Apostles come first. Prophets come second. Teachers come third. Evangelists and Pastors come afterwards. Paul ends his discussion in 1 Corinthians 12 by asking rhetorical questions. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? etc. This means that not everyone can enter into a ministry office by choice. It is God that calls a person to such a ministry and imparts the office. However these questions do not mean that a person cannot hold more than one office at a time.

    Stephen Hanson