In 1 Corinthians 12-14, the apostle Paul teaches us how to use the vocal gifts. Three passages are particularly important to this study.
1 Corinthians 12: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
The vocal gifts of the Holy Spirit must lead us to do two things: pursue love and do everything for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ. We are to build each other up in every way possible. New Testament prophetic people are called, just like every Christian is to be an Ambassador for Christ:
1st Corinthians 5: 10 now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
As part of that call, we must represent the heart of God to people around us. We must give evidence of the essential nature of who God is within the New Testament covenantal relationship he has with us.
We cannot escape the New Covenant; it is who we are. We must represent that New Covenant in every single thing we do. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament type of prophets, sent to prepare the way for Jesus. Jesus was the first of the New Testament series of prophetic figures. John’s mission was to bear witness to the arrival of a Messiah who came as prophet, priest, and king. Jesus Christ was that individual.
In himself, Jesus taught how the prophetic was to be refashioned and remodeled in the New Covenant. In his revolutionary sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7, he repeatedly used the phrase, you have heard that it was said to those of old… but I say unto you. He knew the things he taught were causing controversy and alarm, because they were impelling a culture out of its Old Testament thinking and into a new day with God. Where once only a few could interact with God, now all would be able to.
In the Old Testament we see a prophetic concentration of the gift and only a few people who represented the Lord. In the New Testament we discover a prophetic distribution of the gift because now the Holy Spirit lives in all God’s people who have surrendered to him. Jesus said my sheep know my voice (John 10: 3, 4, 16, 27)!
This does not make everyone a prophet, that is a specific calling. However, we have all been given a lifestyle that involves communion verbally. It is impossible to build a successful, dynamic relationship with God if we cannot hear his voice. In chapter 10 John puts forth the truth that we can know by hearing and therefore not just by knowing scripture or the witness of friends.
Paul’s statement that I wish even more that you would prophecy (1Corinthians 12: 5) resounds as strongly today as in the early church. God’s intentionality is part of his divine nature, unchanging and eternal.
Jesus wanted to prophecy because he loved to edify, exalt, and comfort. He shared the same passion for encouragement and tenderness that God the father has. God is constantly looking at each of us, planning ways in which he can build us up. He loves us deeply and has called us to pursue that same love.
To properly release the prophetic gift in our lives, we must remain in the love of God. We must learn how to see people the way God sees them. Then we need to learn how to speak to them the way God would speak to them. Our interaction with people should cause them to understand and appreciate who God is and who he wants to be for them.
When God speaks, it is an event. Something is created and birthed. Something is supposed to happen in people’s hearts when they receive a prophetic word or action.
Colossians 4: 6 let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
We are taught to put away malice, anger, wrath, slander, and abusive speech from our mouth- Colossians 3: 8. We are called to pursue the things that make for peace and the building up of one another- Romans 14: 9. We are commanded to speak whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report- Philippians 4: 8. Our conversation-whether every day or what we would term prophetic-must operate from grace. This was the shift Jesus brought to the realm of the prophetic.