Last Sunday, we concluded our discussions on the Power Gifts. Today we want to look at the other gifts of the Holy Spirit – “The Utterance Gifts!” It is also called the Vocal or Inspirational gifts!
What are utterance gifts? The “Utterance Gifts” are spiritual gifts that SAY something. They include: 1) The Gift of Prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1-5, 14:3), 2) The Gift of Diverse (different) Kinds of Tongues, and 3) The Gift of Interpretation (not translation) of Tongues.
Today we shall focus on the “GIFT OF PROPHECY.” The Greek word that is translated “prophecy” means to speak for another. So, prophecy could mean “to speak for God or to be His spokesman.”
Of the three gifts of utterance, prophecy is the most important. This is because it takes the other two inspirational gifts – diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues to equal this one gift. Prophecy does not need another gift to complete it.
That is why the Bible says, “…greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he interprets…” (1 Cor. 14:5). This infers that to speak with tongues and to interpret the tongues is equivalent to prophecy.
The simple gift of Prophecy is used to convey the message of EDIFICATION (to strengthen), EXHORTATION (encouraging) and COMFORT to God’s people at specific times (1 Cor. 14:3). Prophecy is a gift to be especially desired (1 Cor. 14:1).
What then is prophecy?
1. Prophecy is speech from the Holy Spirit that says true things about God.
2. Prophecy is not just speech about God, but speech considered to be God speaking.
3. The simple gift of prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue or language. Diverse kinds of tongues is supernatural utterance in an unknown language.
4. Prophecy edifies the church (1 Cor. 14:4).
5. Prophecy is nothing without love (1 Cor. 13:2).
6. Prophecy will ‘pass away’ upon the completion of all things (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
7. Prophecy convicts the unbeliever of sin and judgment, and that God is really amongst Hcis people, leading them to worship (1 Cor. 14:24-25).
8. Some people are given to the church in a role tied to the gift of prophecy (but not exclusively that gift, nor is prophecy exclusively for those people) (1 Cor. 12:10, 28-29, 14:4-5, 24).
9. Prophecy is to be weighed up with discernment by other prophets (1 Cor. 14:29-32).
10. Peter says of prophecy (2 Pet. 1:21).
The simple gift of prophecy is given to some believers to speak to people supernaturally – to edify the church: “…he that prophesieth edifieth the church” (1 Cor. 14:4).
This gift is also given to edify the church through exhortation – to encourage the church (1 Cor. 14:3).
The simple gift of prophecy is also given to comfort (free from pain, console) the church (1 Cor. 14:3).
So, the simple gift of prophecy only ministers edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor.14:3).
There is no element of predicting or fore-telling in the simple gift of prophecy. Therefore, you can confidently tell when an utterance is no longer a simple gift of prophecy in operation because it now includes some revelation in it.
Every Christian can manifest the simple gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:31). But not every Christian can manifest the Gift of Prophecy.
There are two types of prophecy: a) Fore-telling the future, b) Forth-telling the Word of God, and c) Praising God.
Fore-telling is different from forth-telling. Fore-telling reveals the future. This implies that it has an element of the Word of Wisdom in it.
Forth-telling is telling you the Word of God as it is - undiluted. In the Old Testament, prophecy is essentially fore-telling, but in the New Testament the gift of prophecy shifted strongly to forth-telling.
Prophecy is inspired utterance. But in a specific sense PROPHECY is a supernatural gift that is manifested spontaneously as the Spirit wills.
Examples of those who operated in the simple gift of prophecy abound in the Scriptures:
1. The daughters of Phillip operated in the simple gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8-9, NLT). Philip’s daughters manifested the simple gift of prophecybecause they spoke to the whole company to edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). In Acts 21:9, Philip the evangelist’s four daughters are described as women who prophesied.
2. Miriam operated in the simple gift of prophecy. The song she sang edified the congregation, encouraged the people, and comforted them.
“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea” (Ex. 15:20-21).
Examples of those who operated in the gift of prophecy with a tinge of the WOW abound in the Scriptures:
1. Huldah operated in the gift of Prophecy (2 Ki. 22:14-17). There is no prediction here.
2. Most of the Old Testament prophets operated in the gift of prophecy. For instance, Prophet Isaiah said, “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). This has a prediction in it.
3. This is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, “I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18). This also has a prediction in it.
Conclusion: You too can operate in the simple gift of prophecy. Begin to covet (desire) to prophesy because the Word of God encourages believers to do so (1 Cor. 12:31). As you do, then you will be able to speak supernaturally to the Body of Christ God’s Words of edification, exhortation, and comfort as the Spirit wills. You will also be able to speak supernaturally through the gift of prophecy in your private prayer life, edifying yourself and worshipping God in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.
Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
- Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)
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