The Prophetic Ministry

THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY

The prophetic ministry is one of the most controversial and misunderstood yet it is an indispensable pillar in the Church’s effort to accomplish the purposes of God.  The Bible is clear that the ministry is:

-          To be understood. Prophecy is communicating creatively or by speaking/proclaiming what you hear from God.  It begins with hearing from God. It is forth telling which may include foretelling. Prophecy can reveal things in  the present, near and far. 

-          To be desired as a ministry.  1 Corinthians 14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Desire to be the one who gives out prophecy not desiring to be a recipient of prophecy.

-          To be purpose driven. 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.   Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

o   To direct obedience and warn against disobedience.

o   To motivate to godly living. To reveal the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like other Gifts to glorify God and equip for service.

o   To respond to moral and other key national issues of the day.

o   To expose strongholds hindering the spread of the gospel. 

o   To prepare people for that day not just for today.

o   To answer the primary questions to God – Who shall I send. Acts 11:27 During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. Act 13:1-2  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  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.

-          To be monitored and tested. Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.     Discernment, word and time.  Act 13:10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?    You can not stop people from prophesying but are responsible to test the prophecy. You are responsible for every decision you make in your life.

-          To be interpreted correctly. Act 21:10-13  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he 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. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.    Need to ask whose it is, when and when it is for, how to handle it, the wisdom to communicate (creatively or plain announce), what should be done as a response to it, etc

-          To be supported and confirmed  by other prophets and ministries. 1 Corinthians 14:29  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. Ephesians 4:11, 12, says the role of these gifts is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...”   1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

-          To be  received graciously. Not perfect. 1 Corinthains 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

-          To be encouraged. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1Thessalonians 5:19-21).  “Do not neglect your gift.” (1 Timothy 4:14). “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

-          To be practiced by all. Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Act 21:9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.   The Holy Spirit in the believers life alters the role of prophets in giving direction to individual believers. The prophetic ministry is for all but the ministry of the prophet is for some.

-          To be considered seriously always. Do not get too familiar with prophecies even if in past did not turn out exactly. A boy cried wolf once too often? The villagers were so hardened to the boy’s false alarms that they were unprepared when the wolf finally arrived.

-          To be preceded by love. 1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

-          To precede  and bring about the will of God. Often the will is in the form of miracles and the supernatural. Speaking forth the word from God is also bringing what it says to pass. That’s how God created the heavens and the earth ( Genesis 1). He spoke and things came into being.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Centre.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa