Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Definition of Christian Prophecy

Obviously Paul devoted so much space because he considered prophecy important and did not expect it to be discontinued. Most edifying to the whole Church. The verse most favored by com mentators to explain the purpose and function of prophecy is 1 Cor inthians 14:3: "One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation." Glenn Foster sets it up like this:

Prophecy edifies. It builds up the believer. Prophecy exhorts. It stirs up the believer. Prophecy comforts. It cheers up the believer. 24

Each of these functions can also be fulfilled through other Christian activities.Paul says we are to "pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another " (Romans 14:19).One such activity we can pursue is "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15-16). Prophecy does not replace other activities that build up, but rather edi fies through its own unique application of the Holy Spirit. J. R.Williams comments: "As far as the upbuilding of the fellowship is concerned, prophecy stands out as the most significant of all the Spirit's operations. ...This edification-or upbuilding-through prophecy consists of con solation, encouragement, stimulation, exhortation, strengthening....It is God's Word to His people for the living of their lives before Him." 25 In any given assembly, many needs and emotional states are repre sented.God knows how to touch and motivate His gathered people, indi vidually and collectively, all at the same time.Bill Hamon explains that "prophecy is important in the life of the church, because prophecy is the most edifying gift for a congregation.The other eight 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." 26 Most revealing of God's will. Prophecy is significant because it is a rev elation of God for the moment when the congregation is assembled. Michael Harper says, "It is a special anointing given at a selected moment by the sovereign Spirit for a distinct purpose." 27 God has something to say now! Prophecy comes with relevancy and immediacy, pertinent to the exist ing needs and spiritual state of the local church. Grudem comments: "Prophecy, then, is superior to the other gifts because the revelation on which it depends allows it to be suited to the specific needs of the moment, needs which may only be known to God (cf.1 Cor 14:25; Rom 8:26-27)." 28 169.