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

Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church

the office or ministry of prophet is given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself: "He gave some as ...prophets" (Ephesians 4:11).The prophet thus becomes a gift of Christ.Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians 12:28: "God has appointed in the church ...prophets...." The gift of prophecy is a function of the Spirit, whereas the ministry of a prophet is the gift of a person who has been prepared by Christ.The prophet's min istry is thus linked inseparably to specific individuals. 23 The New Testament prophet, similar to his or her Old Testament coun terpart, is a voice of God to the people.The prophet receives simple impres sions but also goes beyond the basic prophecy that edifies, comforts and exhorts.David Blomgren says: "The office of a prophet ...operates in the realm of guidance, rebuke, judgment, correction, and revelation.The one who has the gift of prophecy but is not a prophet does not function in any of these latter realms." 24 Various people may prophesy but that does not automatically make them prophets.This is a ministerial calling, not just a prophetic tendency. Teaching and preaching colored by unique prophetic insight lie within the realm of the prophetic office, as well as giving words of warning and direction.The prophet's function is sometimes governmental in nature (determining missionary procedure, Acts 13:1-3; working with apostles in establishing basic doctrine and policy, Ephesians 2:20; 3:5).It can also be predictive (Acts 11:28; 21:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6).From time to time the prophet, working in conjunction with others in leadership, brings significant direction or prediction for the local church, a group of churches or the Church worldwide. This ministry, like that of the Old Testament prophet, is open to both male and female, 25 although I realize no woman in Acts or in Paul's writ ings is actually called a prophetess (prophetis). Women did prophesy occa sionally (Acts 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 11:5), although, as Robeck points out, "There is no explicit evidence that any woman ever occupied the office of prophet." 26 I base my conclusion on two references, Galatians 3:28 and 1 Corinthians 12:13, both of which indicate to me that the gifts and ministries of the Spirit are available to all, regardless of nationality, social status, age or sex.Not everyone can function in a given spiritual gift or occupy the office of a prophet, but no explicit statement in Scrip ture forbids a woman who is so called to function in either charismatic gifts or prophetic ministry. One difference between Old and New Testament prophets is in the area of accountability.The Old Testament prophet moved forward on the strength of divine authorization and enabling, usually with little support or encouragement; he was the ministry of the hour.The New Testament prophet worked closely with apostles and other church leaders (1 Cor 188