The Gifts of the Holy Spirit - part II
The Manifestational Gifts
1 Cor 12:1-12 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
The manifestational gifts are segmented into 3 distinct groups.
Power Gifts; gift of faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles
Revelation gifts; word of wisdom, word of knowledge & the discerning of spirits
Inspirational gifts; prophecy, divers kinds of tongues & the interpretation of tongues
The Gift of Prophecy
The Inspirational gifts, also known as the vocal gifts, are where God speaks to His church
Prophecy involves human will and faith but does not involve human intellect
It is entirely supernatural in a natural tongue
Prophecy is speaking or conveying the heart of God unto men
An example would be Peter at the day of Pentecost – Stephen before the Sanhedrin
The Definition of Prophecy:
The word prophecy originates from the Hebrew word ‘naba’ meaning, "to flow forth, to spring forth, to tumble"
1 Cor 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
Prophecy has 3 divine functions; edification, exhortation and comfort
Edification:
Greek, oikodome’ – to build up or to strengthen, to teach or guide.
The gifts of the Spirit were given to the church to strengthen it.
Exhortation
The second outreach of the gift of prophecy.
To encourage, motivate, prompt, urge or light a fire under them
Correction comes from preaching the word and doctrine - through 5-fold ministry
Comfort
Greek – paramuthia to give consolation and comfort in distress, sorrow, persecution or suffering.
The church needs divine comfort where the Holy Spirit brings the healing forces of heaven to people’s hearts.
What the gift of prophecy is not
It is not the office of a Prophet (Philip the evangelist, Acts 21:9, had 4 daughters who prophesied but were not prophets)
Prophecy is not the ministry of criticism.
It is not regular preaching (inspired teaching, instruction/correction, good news)
It is not directed towards unbelievers.
1 Cor 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
It should not disturb the flow of a meeting.
Limitations to the gift of prophecy
It is partial not complete – used w/ other gifts
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
It is exercised in proportion to our faith
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
The use is limited by definition
1 Cor 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
The possessor of the gift controls its use.
1 Cor 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Only two or three at the most should be given at a gathering.
1 Cor 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
Judging Prophecy (3 ways)
It should judged by the Word.
It can be judged by the character of the person.
James 3:10-12 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring can yield both salt water and fresh.
It can be judged by the discerning of spirits I Cor. 14:12
Is this gift for everyone?
1 Cor 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy,…
1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Cor 14:5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
1Thes 5:20 Do not despise prophecies.
Conclusion:
"In the ministry of the gift of prophecy, one is living the broad blessings of the gift, yet within the fixed boundaries of the gift." – Dr. Lester Sumrall
"Prophecy is important in the life of the Church, because prophecy is the most edifying gift for a congregation. The other eight gifts are focused "rifle" gifts, which normally bless one specific person or perhaps a few; prophecy is a "shotgun" gift that can bless hundreds of people at once." – Dr. Bill Hamon
"So we can judge these things. If prophecy produces bondage, it isn’t right. The word says, "…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17) Some people stop right there and take the wrong liberty." – Kenneth E. Hagin
This gift truly is important.
The word of God is clear that we should covet this gift.
We all should prophecy to build up the body of Christ.
