MEMORY VERSE: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying. Jeremiah 1:4
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 5-6
We recently looked at the Gift of Prophecy, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can be manifested in the life of any believer. The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers speak the mind of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and not from their thoughts. The fact that this gift is manifested in the life of an individual does not mean the individual is automatically a prophet, NO! As far as one has given his life to Christ, one may manifest any of the seven gifts of Holy Spirit – ‘Word of Wisdom’, ‘Word of Knowledge’, Gift of Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits. However, after the infilling of the Holy Spirit or overflow of the Holy Spirit, any or all nine gifts may be manifested frequently and in power through the life of the believer. (Note: An infilling of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit needs to take place before a believer can manifest the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues.) As a believer matures in the Lord, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit may be expressed more frequently and effectively through the believer. It is then said that the believer have a ministry in those gifts. For example, when a person needs healing, the Lord can manifest the gifts of healing through any yielded believer to the person who needs healing. This does not mean the believer has a healing ministry. However, as this believer mature, the gifts of healing may be expressed more frequently and effectively through this believer. It is then said that this mature believer has a ministry in healing.
Today, we will look at ministry in prophecy. Since we are still in the Apostolic Age and the ministry of the apostle is still going on today, there are still those with the ministry of the prophet today. Just because the Old Testament prophets often spoke out against social and political abuses, and against priestcraft and the hierarchy of that day, does not mean that every protester and militant campaigner for social just is a ‘prophet’. Also, prophecy does not mainly consist of denouncing evil. It is not what a man says in the natural realm that makes him a prophet; it is the fact that he is moved by the Spirit of God to speak the words God gives him. There are many who love the title ‘prophet’ and as such they call themselves prophet. The fact that one can perform miracle or magic does not mean one is a prophet. What makes a man a prophet or woman a prophetess is that he or she brings the mind of God to people. As such, a prophet or prophetess must be able to hear from God. All the people referred to as prophets (in the bible and today) became prophets when the word of the Lord came to them. For example, Jeremiah 1:4 says: “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” A real prophet will not find it necessary to announce to others that he is a prophet; he will be known by his ministry. Look at what the bible had to say about Moses, a prophet of God. Numbers 12:3 says, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Moses did not need to print a flyer before people knew that he was a prophet. He didn’t even need to introduce himself as a prophet before people knew he is a prophet. Real prophets don’t need to announce that they are prophets before the people around know. A true prophet of God will naturally minister in the gift of prophecy often.
NOTE: A true prophet of God will be a mature Christian, as his ministry is listed as one of the offices to be used to bring the church to maturity ( Ephesians 4:8,11-16). No person should be allowed to minister as an established prophet in the Church unless he is thoroughly known by the brethren as to his doctrine and his manner of life.
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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world
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