Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1Co 12:4-7 NASB)
and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy… (1Co 12:10 NASB)
Gift of Prophecy
The first thing to come to mind when most people think of prophecy is the prediction of things to come. There are so called modern day prophets or better known as psychics, fortune tellers, palm readers, and others. These are referred to in the bible as false prophets and and the bible gives strong warnings about these type of prophets:
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Mat 7:15 NASB)
Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (Mat 24:11 NASB)For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Mat 24:24 NASB)
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (2Pe 2:1 NASB)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1Jn 4:1 NASB)
When related to the bible people often think of the Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, or in the New Testament the first thing to come to mind is John and the book of Revelation. But if you look at scripture carefully you will discover that the main purpose of prophecy was speaking forth of God’s message under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2Pe 1:20-21 NASB)
It included the inspired delivery of warning, exhortation, instruction, judging, and making manifest the secrets of the heart.
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. (1Co 14:3 NASB)
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. (1Co 14:24-25 NASB)
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.(Act 15:32 NASB)
This is not to say that it didn’t include foretelling of future events and John was not the only New Testament prophet who spoke of the future as this was given to Agabus:
Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. (Act 11:27-28 NASB)
Or a gift of understanding the prophecies of the Old Testament, and of preaching the Gospel:
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1Co 13:2 NASB)
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? (1Co 14:6 NASB)
There is a great debate as to whether or not this gift still exists and there are plenty of people who claim to have this gift today. There are people who understand Scripture and can proclaim God’s message better than others and that could be considered the gift of prophecy, I believe those gifts fit better into the categories of the gifts of preaching and teaching.
The people who call themselves prophets today claim to speak of future events guided by the Holy Spirit. All I can tell you is you better be careful when proclaiming that something is from God:
‘But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ (Deu 18:20 NASB)
