5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Sixteen

PURPOSES OF PROPHETIC MINISTRY DIRECTION, PROTECTION AND CORRECTION

W hen it comes to understanding the prophetic ministry one might like to simplify the purpose into Direction, Protection and Correction. First, it is important to understand the prophetic ministry is part of the foundation of the church, which, along with the apostolic, the prophetic keeps the church grounded on the Rock, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Both ministries are essential to laying the foundations of each generation, and each major revelation to the church as it is growing, and being built and expanded. Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Ma tt hew 16:18), and He does this through his fi vefold ministries which he has presently called to serve the people of God. True fi ve-fold ministry are the Lord Jesus Christ continuing His present-day ministry through the ministries of the apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, teaching and shepherding ministries. These are not gifts that someone holds, but are people whose lives are given to the church as a gift functioning in one or more of these o ffi ces.

Ephesians 4:8 “Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led

captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."

Ephesians 4:11 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,

some evangelists, and some pastors [shepherds] and teachers.”

Notice the ascension ministries, often called the fi ve-fold, are given “to be” not “to have.” This is a major di ff erence between the gift ministries, and a simple gift of the Holy Spirit given to edify the church body.

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