Spiritual Gifts 4 Prophecy

[HKHaugan]

Prophecy is the spiritual ability to bring God’s Word to bear in three ways, on the nation as a whole, on individuals in leadership and on individuals in a nation, a community and a congregation. The Prophets in the Old Testament exemplify this threefold approach. Israel was to collectively witness to the existence and presence of the One God. Its leadership was to point to God’s Law and govern the people of Israel with the Spirit of the Law in mind. Each citizen was to be a worshipper of God and live by faith and obedience to the Law and the rulers. Prophets were course correctors who challenged the nation, the leadership and the people when they compromised with the world around them.

In the Body of Christ prophecy can be experienced as the spiritual ability given a believer to sense God’s direction for the local Body, the awareness of the spirit’s direction for Body leadership and for individuals in the Body who need a spiritual stimulus to action or correction of behavior. Prophecy can find its outlet in worship, in groups or in the individual who senses God’s will in a specific situation. Probably the most common experience of prophecy is in preaching where the preacher opens up Scripture, dwells on the person and character of Jesus and brings a theme to the surface that reveals God’s intent for conversion or transformation or growth.

But God’s wisdom is for balance in the Body. So for those in the Body who are not preachers but have the gift of prophecy, the Holy Spirit moves them to step forward so that there is more than one person bringing God’s will, direction and motivation. It is the prophetic gift that energizes, challenges and moves leadership and other gift bearers to be alert to the Spirit’s activity in the Body.

When exercised it, like any gift, must be open to a gift of discernment to make sure a prophecy is from God. In small groups or in worship confirmation is necessary. If responses like ‘amen’ or in some sense its impact is felt within saying ’that was for me’ then it was real.

Three things are necessary for prophecy to work.

First, it has to be taught and encouraged.

Second, it has to be received and expected as a normal work of the Spirit in the Body.

Third, it has to be risked by those who believe they are receiving a word from the Lord.

The preacher and the layperson also need to be able to receive a challenge as to their accuracy and in some cases to have people pray for them before they share since its effect touches hearts. It is given, remember, according to the faith and measure of grace given the gift bearer that it be of God and not from self.

There are too many supporting references in Scripture to record here. However, search the prophets and the teachings of Jesus and Paul to see the extent and occasion of prophetic activity and you will see the tremendous value of this gift. Scripture itself is the prophetic manual for each heart.

Perhaps a special note needs to be repeated about prophecy in worship. There is nothing more challenging to the spirit by the Holy Spirit than hearing a prophetic word that touches someone’s heart in the context of worship. There are spiritual reflexes that take place when a prophecy is heard. One can realize that it was spoken for them. Several may react the same way. There might even be a general murmur of approval from many. Some might even react by thinking “Who does that person think they are?” Such a reaction may be based on fear or a check in their spirit. The point here is that teaching needs to take place that encourages worshipers to establish an atmosphere of openness to the Holy Spirit’s movement in worship. Prophecy is so prevalent throughout Scripture that its application in any forum of Body activity should be anticipated and received joyfully.