June 12, 2024
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
While we are encouraged to desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not all believers will manifest all the gifts. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” - 1 Corinthians 12:29 - 30.
The gift of prophecy that Paul placed emphasis on in 1 Corinthians 14:1 is a gift that is usually reserved for the office of the prophet or the minister of God. To constitute standing in the office of the prophet, a person needs to have at least two of the three revelation gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, or discerning of spirits) operating on a continual basis in his or her life and ministry in addition to the gift of prophecy. Such a person would also have been called (by God) to the fivefold ministry which includes preacher or teacher of the Word - Ephesians 4:11 - 12.
So, does this mean that only prophets can prophesy? Is prophecy exclusive to prophets? By the grace of God, no. The good news is that believers who are not in the office of the prophet can act in the Spirit of prophecy. We may not all be called to the office of the prophet—to explicitly speak a revelation of the mind of God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
When we pray and speak forth what we know from God’s word into the earth, we are prophesying even if we don’t have an office as a prophet.
We could however function in a spirit of prophecy by declaring God’s word over our lives and the lives of others. When we pray and speak forth what we know from God’s word into the earth, we are prophesying even if we don’t have an office as a prophet. According to our anchor text today, every time we exhort and edify each other we are functioning in the Spirit of prophecy.
Thank God for the grace He makes available to us to tap into this wonderful gift.
Song of Worship
That is why You are called Jehovah (2X)
What You say, You will do,
That is what You will do
That is why You are called Jehovah
Prayer -Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts of prophecy. Grant me the grace to prophesy to my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ, ministering through edification, exhortation and comfort, all in love to Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Ezra 3-5; John 20