Calvary Church
The Function of the Prophetic Gifts
Main Idea: In this teaching we want to understand prophecy and the prophetic gifts to the Body of Christ. We’ll also endeavor to understand the nature and ministry of prophecy and how to detect a false prophet.
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
1. Definition of the word PROPHECY
Webster says: “It’s the PREDICTION of the future under the influence of Divine guidance; act or practice of a prophet; something predicted.”
1. Definition of the word PROPHECY
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
1) CHAZAH
to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide
to see as a seer in the ecstatic state
to see, perceive with the intelligence
to see by experience; to provide
1) CHAZAH
to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide
to see as a seer in the ecstatic state
to see, perceive with the intelligence
to see by experience; to provide
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
2) NABA
To prophesy; speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy under the influence of Divine Spirit, in the ecstatic state
2) NABA
To prophesy; speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy under the influence of Divine Spirit, in the ecstatic state
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
3) NEBUWAH
A prediction (spoken or written)
3) NEBUWAH
A prediction (spoken or written)
A. Old Testament HEBREW Words
4) NATAPH
To ooze; i.e., distill gradually; by implication to fall in drops; figuratively to speak by inspiration; prophecy, discourse
4) NATAPH
To ooze; i.e., distill gradually; by implication to fall in drops; figuratively to speak by inspiration; prophecy, discourse
B. New Testament GREEK Word
PROPHETEUO
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office; to proclaim a Divine revelation, prophesy, to foretell the future; to speak forth by Divine inspiration; to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or in praise of the Divine counsels
PROPHETEUO
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office; to proclaim a Divine revelation, prophesy, to foretell the future; to speak forth by Divine inspiration; to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or in praise of the Divine counsels
2. The NATURE of Prophecy
2. The NATURE of Prophecy
A. Prophecy as FORTH-telling
This form of prophecy is in the realm of preaching: the prophet speaks for God to the people, communicating the mind of God for the present.
A. Prophecy as FORTH-telling
This form of prophecy is in the realm of preaching: the prophet speaks for God to the people, communicating the mind of God for the present.
2. The NATURE of Prophecy
B. Prophecy as FORE-telling
B. Prophecy as FORE-telling
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
A. Prophets have been set IN the New Testament Church
A. Prophets have been set IN the New Testament Church
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
B. Prophets are ONE of the ascension-gift ministries, an extension of Christi’s own prophetic ministry and gift, Eph 4:11
B. Prophets are ONE of the ascension-gift ministries, an extension of Christi’s own prophetic ministry and gift, Eph 4:11
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
C. The TESTIMONY of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy
C. The TESTIMONY of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
D. Prophets have the GIFT of Prophecy
D. Prophets have the GIFT of Prophecy
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
E. Prophets are Given for:
1) The Perfecting and MATURING of the Saints
2) The Work of Bringing the Saints into their MINISTRY
3) The Edifying and Building up of the BODY of Christ
E. Prophets are Given for:
1) The Perfecting and MATURING of the Saints
2) The Work of Bringing the Saints into their MINISTRY
3) The Edifying and Building up of the BODY of Christ
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
F. Prophets had a DISTINCTIVE Ministry in the Early Church
F. Prophets had a DISTINCTIVE Ministry in the Early Church
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
F. Prophets had a DISTINCTIVE Ministry in the Early Church
1) EXHORTATION—to stir up
2) EDIFICATION—to build up
3) COMFORT—to bind up
4) CONVICTION—to open up
F. Prophets had a DISTINCTIVE Ministry in the Early Church
1) EXHORTATION—to stir up
2) EDIFICATION—to build up
3) COMFORT—to bind up
4) CONVICTION—to open up
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
G. New Testament Prophets are not INFALLIBLE and their utterances must be judged by the infallible Word of God
G. New Testament Prophets are not INFALLIBLE and their utterances must be judged by the infallible Word of God
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
H. Prophets must have their spirits under CONTROL and be subject to the Holy Spirit
H. Prophets must have their spirits under CONTROL and be subject to the Holy Spirit
3. The MINISTRY of the Prophet
I. The ministry of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS are foundational ministries for God’s Church
I. The ministry of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS are foundational ministries for God’s Church
4. RECOGNITION of Prophet
4. RECOGNITION of Prophet
A. New Testament PROPHETS
A. New Testament PROPHETS
Ananias, Judas, Silas, prophets and teachers of Antioch, prophets sent from Jerusalem, prophets at Tyre, Agabus, prophet at Corinth, prophets at Ephesus, prophets among scattered Churches, false prophets at Crete.
4. RECOGNITION of Prophet
B. Ministry of the PROPHETESSES
B. Ministry of the PROPHETESSES
Old Testament Prophetesses were Miriam, Moses’ sister, Deborah, Huldah, Noadish, Isaiah’s wife and Anna.
We also know that Philip the Evangelist had four daughters who did prophesy, but they were not called prophetesses, Acts 21:7-9.
5. DISTINCTION between Old & New Testament Prophets
In Scripture we realize that Jesus did not choose any prophet in His earthly ministry.
Distinction #1 Old Testament Prophets were used in GUIDANCE, direction and to inquire of the mind and will of God because the SPIRIT was not available for all flesh
Distinction #2 Old Testament Prophets were especially used to SPEAK and WRITE infallible Scriptures.
Distinction #3 No New Testament Prophet was ever used in GUIDANCE and CONTROL of another person’s life. They were used to confirm the already known and revealed will of God.
Distinction #4 All prophecy of New Testament Prophets was to be JUDGED by the Word of Scripture.
For New Covenant Believers
· Guidance and direction comes from the INFALLIBLE Word of God, the Scriptures
· Guidance is also by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, always leading in harmony with, never in contrary to, the infallible Word Jesus inspired, Romans 8:14.
· Guidance may be CONFIRMED through various ministries set in the Church, such as prophets.
· Guidance and direction comes from the INFALLIBLE Word of God, the Scriptures
· Guidance is also by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, always leading in harmony with, never in contrary to, the infallible Word Jesus inspired, Romans 8:14.
· Guidance may be CONFIRMED through various ministries set in the Church, such as prophets.
6. TESTING the Ministry of the Prophet
6. TESTING the Ministry of the Prophet
A. Test of DOCTRINE
A. Test of DOCTRINE
6. TESTING the Ministry of the Prophet
B. Test of FRUIT
B. Test of FRUIT
6. TESTING the Ministry of the Prophet
C. Test of GREED
C. Test of GREED
6. TESTING the Ministry of the Prophet
D. Test of MINISTRY to the People
D. Test of MINISTRY to the People
Talk About It
Discussion Questions:
1. When you hear the word Prophet, what is the first thing you think about?
2. What does it mean to prophecy? Who should prophecy if anyone? Why?
3. How should the Fruit of the Spirit come into play regarding prophetic ministry? Why?
4. How can you make sure that a False Prophet is not trying to speak something into your life? Where is your protection from believing a lie?
Next Step:
What would you say you’ve mostly learned about the function of prophecy or the ministry of a prophetic gift in this teaching? How could that impact your life in the Body of Christ?
1. When you hear the word Prophet, what is the first thing you think about?
2. What does it mean to prophecy? Who should prophecy if anyone? Why?
3. How should the Fruit of the Spirit come into play regarding prophetic ministry? Why?
4. How can you make sure that a False Prophet is not trying to speak something into your life? Where is your protection from believing a lie?
Next Step:
What would you say you’ve mostly learned about the function of prophecy or the ministry of a prophetic gift in this teaching? How could that impact your life in the Body of Christ?