5 Smooth Stones

is a di ff erence between the prophetic gift and the prophetic ministry, the o ffi ce of the prophet, and the level in which they may operate. God has given gifts to the members of the church through the Holy Spirit. The Gifts of the Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, di ff erent kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. To understand that these gifts are given freely to all believers is not to deny that some people have long suits in speci fi c areas. For instance, there are those with the gift of faith, yet we all have a level of faith. There are those who have a gift of healing or working of miracles, yet we can all lay hands upon the sick and see them recover or see miracles through our ministry even if we are not gifted with special anointing in each of these areas. Likewise, if we are faithful with the gift(s) we are given we may receive more. These are all manifestations of the spirit working through the believer to provide edi fi cation, exhortation, and comfort to the church and others. But there likewise is a noticeable di ff erence between the gift of prophecy and the gift of a prophet. One is a man operating the gift, the other is a gift operating within the present-day ministry of Jesus to the world through his or her life and ministry. The bible tells us that we all may proph esy (1 Corinthians 14:31), and that the sons and daughters of the Kingdom will prophesy (Acts 2:17). However, nowhere does it say that everyone may ful fi ll the role of an ascension gift ministry prophetic. Rather, Jesus said, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward.” (Ma tt hew 10:41a). The gift of prophecy is not to tear down or to criticize. It will almost always be to build up, encourage and console the people recognizing the word through the gift. The ministry gift, however, may do any and all of these as well as bring reproof or correction, warning, and other needed insight and direction from above. I realize there are those that believe the prophets of today no longer should bring anything but comfort and “kind” things, but this is perhaps in part due to a misunderstanding of the di ff erence between the manifestation of the gift of Holy Spirit and the functioning of the gift ministry of a prophet. It also is a misunderstanding of the nature of our God of grace, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God...” (Romans 11:22). 87 1 Corinthians 14:3 “But he who prophesies speaks edi fi cation and exhor tation and comfort to men.”