PROPHETS
I make a distinction between the prophet and the simple gift of prophecy. The simple gift of prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (I Cor.
14:3), and all may prophesy (I Cor. 14:31). But the ministry of the prophet is to
speak forth the counsel of God. He reveals the will and the purpose of God
contained in the mind of God for a specific situation. He declares what may not
be known through the intellect, for He speaks by direct revelation from God. He
speaks the mind of God. He speaks for God through the direct revelation of the
Spirit, giving what is in the mind of God for that time. Luke tells us that there
were certain prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch, and
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them
(Acts 13:1-3).
The prophets signified by the Spirit that it was time for Barnabas and Saul to do
that which God had called them to do.
Luke records another incident at Antioch when the prophets, Judas and
Silas,
exhorted the brethren with many words, and con-
firmed them (Acts 15:32).
These prophecies confirmed that which God had already revealed. The word
"confirmed" here is a very important word. Oral Roberts, in his discussion of the
gift of prophecy, says that prophecy is more confirmational than it is directional.
God confirms through the prophet what God has spoken to His people. Therefore,
if someone should prophesy over you and give you a direction, it should be
confirmational. God reveals His will to you and then He confirms it by speaking
through others to you. So, always accept the fact that God will confirm any
prophecy given to you. Judas and Silas confirmed the brethren. They confirmed
them in that which God had already spoken to them.
Many times, the prophet speaks with a word of knowledge. But in the
prophecies given by Judas and Silas, I do not think there was a word of knowledge. The prophets did not tell them what the work was; they only confirmed
what God had already revealed to Barnabas and Saul. However, Agabus the
prophet gave a prophecy at Antioch that contained a word of knowledge. He
signified by the Spirit that
There should be a great dearth throughout all the
world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius
Caesar (Acts 11:28).
His prophecy had a word of knowledge in it--there is coming a great dearth.
Later, at Caesarea, Agabus
Took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and
feet, and said, thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the
Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this
girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the
Gentiles (Acts 21:8-11).
This prophecy also contained a word of knowledge.
These are the ministries of the apostles and the prophets. Paul said that the
church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, and Jesus
Christ is the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).
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