The Prophetic Ministry

Reading the book of Acts, one cannot help but notice prophets coming into the scene at certain times to bring a word in season.  For example, the prophet Agabus prophesied in Antioch concering a world-wide famine which resulted in relief work being done in Judea (Ac 11:27-30).  Later in the same place, the Holy Spirit spoke (presumbly through a prophet) concerning Barnabas and Saul; to set them aside for the work which He has called them to do (Ac 13:1-3).  This, of course, resulted in the first missionary journey of Saul who became known as Paul.   


Forward to our day and age, we still have prophets in our midst proclaiming God's mind to us.  We thank God for restoring the prophetic office in the late 1980s during a conference held in a large Vineyard church in Denver, where more than 3000 pastors and leaders from all over the world watched and listened as (the late) John Wimber showcased the prophets.  They are placed in the body of Christ to bring encouragement, exhortation and comfort to the people of God (1 Cor 14:3).  God knows that we can be down and out as a result of the devil coming to steal, kill and destroy our zeal and joy for the Master.  Hence, the work and ministry of the prophets.


Among the gifts, prophecy is to be most desired (1Cor 14:1). Prophets prophesy in part and know in part (1 Cor 13:13), which means that the revelation may not be complete. The Bible tells us that we can all prohesy (1 Cor 14:31) but we have to recognise that there degrees of prophetic gifting in each person:


I. Simple prophetic: believers speaking something God has brought to mind; usually within the scope of encouragement, comfort and exhortation (1Cor 14:3), and doesn’t include correction, new direction or predictive elements.



II. Prophetic gifting: believers receiving impressions, dreams, visions or other types of revelation. These are usually symbolic, being in the form of parables and riddles. This group receives more regular prophetic information than those operating under simple prophetic, yet lacks clarity in understanding what they receive.


III. Prophetic ministry: believers whose gifting has been recognized, nurtured and commissioned for regular ministry in the local church, There is still a strong symbolic element in what they receive, but through the process of team ministry, it is possible to discern much of the interpretation and application of their revelation.


IV. Prophetic office: believers who minister in signs and wonders and are known to speak very accurately the words of God. This doesn’t mean they are infallible but their words are to be taken seriously. Their credibility is established by their proven track record of accurate prophecies. Have supernatural giftedness, godly character and matured wisdom.


Over at our church recently where the Global Prophetic Summit was held, Bishop Bill Hamon came and spoke a word to our nation (at last Friday's evening session in particular).  He is a prophet and the father of the modern day prophetic movement.   The long and short of what was prophesied is that God is going to revive this land through the church coming together to seek His face.  He is going to pour out the Joseph anointing upon the church so that she can be influential among those in positions of authority in our land.  Just as Joseph influenced Pharoah in his day, so likewise, we can influence the government of our land in our day.  This is a good word of encouragement for the church in Singapore.  May God watch over His word to perform it in our day.


Now a final word concerning judging prophecy.

1. Does it edify, exhort and console? (1 Cor 14:3). The true purpose of prophecy is to build up, admonish and stir up, encourage and release from pain and discomfort, and enable people to know and understand the heartbeat of God for themselves. If the effect of prophecy is confusion, condemnation or discouragement, then the prophecy cannot be accepted, and in some cases, they need to be forcefully rejected, lest a curse take root. There is a negative aspect of prophecy that is right and proper in the economy of God. Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry (Jer 1:5-10) was to “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” It ends with the positives.



2. Test the spirit (1 Jn 4:1-3). We need to discern the spirit behind the prophecy before we discern the words. Prophecy communicates spirit-to-spirit, as well as speaking into our minds and our intellects. Prophecy must line up with Scripture and also the Spirit, because there is a spirit to prophecy. It must not be used to establish new doctrine or practices. Any word or ministry that exalts man at the expense of Jesus Christ must be considered unworthy. Usurping the will of others can occur very easily in connection with prophecy. This is where accountability needs to be put in place. An outside perspective is often needed where directional prophecies are concerned.


3. The fruit in the prophet’s life (Gal 5:22-26). Jesus said that we are to judge people by the fruits they produce and not the works they can perform (Mt 7:20-23). Being always precede doing in the area of Christian ministry.