There is a difference between being called and being chosen as a Prophet.
To be chosen requires faithfulness to our call and our relationship with God.
Showing ourselves faithful to the gift and character needed in the prophetic, God will choose us to the office of a prophet to the nations.
The gift of prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4Now there are diversities of gifts (Charisma), but the same Spirit.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will
Likewise, the prophet is a gift which is doma in Greek, but not of the Holy Spirit.
The Grace of the Prophet
The prophet is a doma of Jesus:
EPHESIANS 4:7 BUT TO EACH ONE OF US GRACE WAS GIVEN ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF CHRIST’S GIFT (dorea). 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts(doma) unto men.
EPHESIANS 4:11 Also (kai) GAVE SOME indeed (autos in the Greek-Himself) TO BE APOSTLES, and(de) PROPHETS, and(de) EVANGELISTS, AND(de) PASTORS also (kai) TEACHERS.
The word some in the Greek is autos which means himself.
So, the verse literally reads after the last part of verse 10 where it talks about Jesus ascending far above all heavens so that he would fill all things. Verse 11 Also gave himself indeed apostles and prophets and evangelists and Pastors also teachers.
So the five fold ministry or more accurately fourfold ministry, but no one teaches this so I try not to be controversial. But the emphasis is that Jesus himself is the ministry gift of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastors also teachers.
So from personal experience I know that I have been set in the office of the teacher which gives me the ability to be also a Pastor.
There was an increase in the release of prophets in the 1980s following the charismatic movement.
Some Pentecostals and charismatics had a good understanding of the gifts (Charisma) of the Holy Spirit but did not grasp the importance of the gifts (doma) of Christ.
What is The Importance of the Prophet?
The prophets are Second only to Apostles.
According to Paul, the prophet’s ministry is considered the second most primary ministry in his writing to the Corinthian church.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:28 AND GOD HAS APPOINTED THESE IN THE CHURCH: FIRST APOSTLES, SECOND PROPHETS, THIRD TEACHERS.
I have been set in the office of a teacher. I am called to be an apostle but have not yet been chosen to operate in that gift and may never be because there is a difference between being called and being chosen.
It takes all my time to be a teacher laying the apostolic foundation, that I have not actually started a church yet just got the name for it.
Once the church starts functioning and I am able to bring people into maturity, then the Lord may choose me to be an apostle, where I teach others how to be a Pastor, because most all of the Pastors I meet do not know what they are doing.
Some have said that this is not a rank of importance. However, the original text is exact and definite in placing a position of prominence.
Having said this, we must never forget the words of Jesus Christ, that whoever wants to go higher must have the heart and actions of a bond servant:
MARK 9:35 AND HE (JESUS) SAT DOWN, CALLED THE TWELVE, AND SAID TO THEM, “IF ANYONE DESIRES TO BE FIRST, HE SHALL BE LAST OF ALL AND SERVANT OF ALL.”
The Foundation of the Church.
The prophet is as essential to the church just as the pastor because with Jesus as the cornerstone, the apostles and prophets are the church’s foundation!
EPHESIANS 2:20 HAVING BEEN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,
Not all Are Prophets
Paul, writing to the Corinthians, makes it clear that not all who want to be prophets may be prophets:
1 CORINTHIANS 12:29 ARE ALL APOSTLES? ARE ALL PROPHETS? AND ARE ALL TEACHERS?
The answer in the context is, No!
Although I rejoice when someone responds to the call to be a prophet, I know that the majority will not make it to being a mature and effective prophet.
There are several reasons for this.
One reason is the road from being called to being chosen, as we will see in Paul’s life.
There are no limitations on gender for who may be a prophet.
We find women prophetesses in the New Testament church:
ACTS 21:9 NOW THIS MAN HAD FOUR VIRGIN DAUGHTERS WHO PROPHESIED.
And neither is there a restriction on age, as we see in the life of Jeremiah, one of the four “major” prophets in the Old Testament:
JEREMIAH 1:6-7 THEN SAID I: “AH, LORD GOD! BEHOLD, I CANNOT SPEAK, FOR I AM A YOUTH.” BUT THE LORD SAID TO ME:
“DO NOT SAY, ‘I AM A YOUTH,’ FOR YOU SHALL GO TO ALL TO WHOM I SEND YOU,
Paul: An Example of the Prophet
Paul was a Prophet Before he was an Apostle.
ACTS 13:1 NOW IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH THERE WERE CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: BARNABAS, SIMEON WHO WAS CALLED NIGER, LUCIUS OF CYRENE, MANAEN WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL.
We know he was a prophet, not just a teacher, because late in his life, he correctly prophesied the outcome of the shipwreck.
ACTS 27:25-26 THEREFORE TAKE HEART, MEN, FOR I BELIEVE GOD THAT IT WILL BE JUST AS IT WAS TOLD ME. HOWEVER, WE MUST RUN AGROUND ON A CERTAIN ISLAND.”
Called or Chosen
We need to see each step Paul needed to go through to become a prophet and eventually an apostle.
Firstly, God calls us into the kingdom of God. He desires that we step out in faith and respond to His invitation.
When we choose to respond correctly, He accepts us as a son or daughter.
However, being called into a ministry gift is only the journey’s beginning. The result is God choosing us to operate in the gift in its fulness of power, grace, and wisdom.
Paul’s Road from Called to Chosen
Let’s look at a New Testament example of being called until chosen for Paul to be a prophet.
His journey starts with His conversion in 33AD, three and a half years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Paul’s Conversion 33AD:
Paul (called Saul) is born again on his way to persecuting Damascus’s churches.
Called to Apostleship
33AD: Paul travels to Damascus and receives his CALL to be an apostle.
Wilderness
34AD: Paul travels to and lives in Arabia.
Return to Civilization
36AD: Paul returns to Damascus.
Revelation Shared
36AD: Paul then goes to Jerusalem for a period of two weeks.
Into the Wilderness Again
In God’s view, Paul is still not ready for the ministry of the prophet or apostle.
Therefore in 37AD, God leads him to be a tentmaker in Tarsus for approximately 7-8 years.
Ministry of Teaching
In approximately 43AD, Barnabas seeks out Paul in Tarsus, where he receives a platform for teaching.
Paul’s Mercy Ministry
In 44AD, Agabus prophesied the famine throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Greece, and Italy. It was so severe that the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas with funds to help the church in Jerusalem.
Return to Antioch
Sometime between 44AD and 47AD, after they had fulfilled their ministry of mercy, taking finances to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.
Ministry of the Prophet
The first time Paul (still called Saul) is referred to as a prophet is in 47AD:
ACTS 13:1 NOW IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH THERE WERE CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: BARNABAS, SIMEON WHO WAS CALLED NIGER, LUCIUS OF CYRENE, MANAEN WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL.
Therefore, it took Paul 14 – 15 years (33AD to 47AD) from God’s call to his choosing.
Being called to be a prophet does not mean we are a prophet.
It takes many years to develop the character necessary to walk into that office.
Training the Prophet
Sons of the Prophets
In the Old Testament, we find that Elijah had four companies of prophets, many of whom were hoping for the mantle to pass to them.
These were in Bethel, Jericho, Gilgal and the hills of Ephraim.
We see that Antioch had several prophets operating:
ACTS 13:1 NOW IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH THERE WERE CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: BARNABAS, SIMEON WHO WAS CALLED NIGER, LUCIUS OF CYRENE, MANAEN WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL.
The mantle indeed passes from person to person.
I have studied under different Apostle, and to a certain degree their mantles were imparted to me.
However, Jesus was a prophet, and I believe we can receive His anointing by spending quality time with Him.
We know He was a prophet because he precisely prophesied the temple’s destruction in 40 years.
Gift and Character
By nature, a gift is a gift, so we can receive it any time Jesus decides to give it.
However, developing a character takes time. Because the prophet’s character is essential, to operate in that office.
Gift of Prophecy
The first step to developing the prophet’s ministry is operating in the gift of prophecy, limited to encouragement, edification and comfort.
Sphere of influence
It is always the plan of God for us to grow in our influence. We may be a prophet over a church. If we are faithful, then maybe God will promote us to be a denomination’s prophet. Then after that, we may be a prophet for a people group. Then from there over a nation, and from there over a continent.
Equipping the Saints
Furnishing the House of God
The primary responsibilities of the prophet are the same as all the ministry gifts, as found in Ephesians.
EPHESIANS 4:12-14 FOR THE EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TILL WE ALL COME TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, TO A PERFECT MAN, TO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST; THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE TRICKERY OF MEN, IN THE CUNNING CRAFTINESS OF DECEITFUL PLOTTING
The word equipping or perfecting in Greek is: katartismos; – complete furnishing, to make fully ready. Perfection or completion.
From the word furnishing, we get the idea that the prophet has a role in making the house of the Lord into a home where God and man dwell together.
Abiding is central to the New Covenant that God abides in us and us in Him. The importance of abiding, is the glory that comes with it.
Mending Nets
Once we look a little closer at the word for equipping, we find the Greek word artismo means to mend or repair. We see this word in Matthew:
MATTHEW 4:21 GOING ON FROM THERE, HE SAW TWO OTHER BROTHERS, JAMES THE SON OF ZEBEDEE, AND JOHN HIS BROTHER, IN THE BOAT WITH ZEBEDEE THEIR FATHER, MENDING THEIR NETS. HE CALLED THEM,
In other words, it is not for the prophet to do the fishing; it is for the prophet to repair the nets to empower the church to do its work!
Instead of just bringing people to Christ, it is more valuable to God that, as a prophet, you focus on training others to do the work of the ministry.
Raising Prophets.
Proof of being a prophet is the ability to raise other prophets. We produce disciples of Jesus who will carry our anointing.
Displacing Principalities and Powers
The prime responsibility of the church is to display to principalities and powers the authority to overcome these spirits.
Each of us has an anointing from the Holy Spirit to do both these things, and the prophet is no different.
Spiritual Warfare
The prophet will co-labour in spiritual warfare as we see in the case of Jehosophat:
2 CHRONICLES 20:20-22 (KING) JEHOSHAPHAT STOOD AND SAID, “HEAR ME, O JUDAH AND YOU INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM: BELIEVE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YOU SHALL BE ESTABLISHED; BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS, AND YOU SHALL PROSPER.” AND WHEN HE HAD CONSULTED WITH THE PEOPLE, HE APPOINTED THOSE WHO SHOULD SING TO THE LORD, AND WHO SHOULD PRAISE THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, AS THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY AND WERE SAYING: “PRAISE THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.” NOW WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING AND TO PRAISE, THE LORD SET AMBUSHES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF AMMON, MOAB, AND MOUNT SEIR, WHO HAD COME AGAINST JUDAH; AND THEY WERE DEFEATED.
Spirit of Elijah
Is it For Today?
John the Baptist fulfilled Elijah’s promised physical return in 30AD.
MATTHEW 17:12-13 BUT I SAY TO YOU THAT ELIJAH HAS COME ALREADY, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW HIM BUT DID TO HIM WHATEVER THEY WISHED. LIKEWISE THE SON OF MAN IS ALSO ABOUT TO SUFFER AT THEIR HANDS.” THEN THE DISCIPLES UNDERSTOOD THAT HE SPOKE TO THEM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
Although John the Baptist was the physical manifestation of Elijah, the spirit of Elijah still rests in the prophetic church today.
So, what can we learn from Elijah that still applies to the present-day church?
Exposing False Prophets
Elijah’s famous defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is an example of a prophet’s responsibility in this area.
1 KINGS 18:19, 40 NOW THEREFORE, SEND AND GATHER ALL ISRAEL TO ME ON MOUNT CARMEL, THE FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY PROPHETS OF BAAL, AND THE FOUR HUNDRED PROPHETS OF ASHERAH, WHO EAT AT JEZEBEL’S TABLE.” AND ELIJAH SAID TO THEM, “SEIZE THE PROPHETS OF BAAL! DO NOT LET ONE OF THEM ESCAPE!” SO THEY SEIZED THEM; AND ELIJAH BROUGHT THEM DOWN TO THE BROOK KISHON AND EXECUTED THEM THERE.
So, there will be times when a prophet will be called upon to expose prophets that do not declare the truth.
Defeat of Religious Spirits
On the same day, Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord.
1 KINGS 18:30 THEN ELIJAH SAID TO ALL THE PEOPLE, “COME NEAR TO ME.” SO ALL THE PEOPLE CAME NEAR TO HIM. AND HE REPAIRED THE ALTAR OF THE LORD THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN.
Today, the prophet may be called upon by God to make a stand against religious spirits robbing the church of its freedom.
Raising the Dead
A prophet may have the ability to raise the dead:
1 KINGS 17:21-22 AND HE STRETCHED HIMSELF OUT ON THE CHILD THREE TIMES, AND CRIED OUT TO THE LORD AND SAID, “O LORD MY GOD, I PRAY, LET THIS CHILD’S SOUL COME BACK TO HIM.” THEN THE LORD HEARD THE VOICE OF ELIJAH; AND THE SOUL OF THE CHILD CAME BACK TO HIM, AND HE REVIVED.
Influence the Natural
Elijah was able to break the three-and-a-half-year drought:
1 KINGS 18:43-45 AND SAID TO HIS SERVANT, “GO UP NOW, LOOK TOWARD THE SEA.” SO HE WENT UP AND LOOKED, AND SAID, “THERE IS NOTHING.” AND SEVEN TIMES HE SAID, “GO AGAIN.” THEN IT CAME TO PASS THE SEVENTH TIME, THAT HE SAID, “THERE IS A CLOUD, AS SMALL AS A MAN’S HAND, RISING OUT OF THE SEA!” SO HE SAID, “GO UP, SAY TO AHAB, ‘PREPARE YOUR CHARIOT, AND GO DOWN BEFORE THE RAIN STOPS YOU.'” NOW IT HAPPENED IN THE MEANTIME THAT THE SKY BECAME BLACK WITH CLOUDS AND WIND, AND THERE WAS A HEAVY RAIN. SO AHAB RODE AWAY AND WENT TO JEZREEL.
As the lord leads, we are able to stop rain or wind at a command.
I encourage you to step out in faith. Just because you do not get it the first time does not stop you from trying.
Supernatural Provision
Elijah was able to bring forth food by a declaration supernaturally; prophets today can do the same:
1 KINGS 17:14-17 FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL: ‘THE BIN OF FLOUR SHALL NOT BE USED UP, NOR SHALL THE JAR OF OIL RUN DRY, UNTIL THE DAY THE LORD SENDS RAIN ON THE EARTH.'” SO SHE WENT AWAY AND DID ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF ELIJAH; AND SHE AND HE AND HER HOUSEHOLD ATE FOR MANY DAYS. THE BIN OF FLOUR WAS NOT USED UP, NOR DID THE JAR OF OIL RUN DRY, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD WHICH HE SPOKE BY ELIJAH.
Seeing into the Spirit Realm
Elisha, the spiritual son of Elijah, could see clearly into the spirit realm. Because of his servant’s fear, he asks God to show him the spirit realm:
2 KINGS 6:16-17 SO HE ANSWERED, “DO NOT FEAR, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.” AND ELISHA PRAYED, AND SAID, “LORD, I PRAY, OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE.” THEN THE LORD OPENED THE EYES OF THE YOUNG MAN, AND HE SAW. AND BEHOLD, THE MOUNTAIN WAS FULL OF HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE ALL AROUND ELISHA.
Defeat of Jezebel
Elijah was unable to defeat Jezebel because he was in fear of her. However, he prophesied her demise:
KINGS 21:23-24 AND CONCERNING JEZEBEL THE LORD ALSO SPOKE, SAYING, ‘THE DOGS SHALL EAT JEZEBEL BY THE WALL OF JEZREEL.’ THE DOGS SHALL EAT WHOEVER BELONGS TO AHAB AND DIES IN THE CITY, AND THE BIRDS OF THE AIR SHALL EAT WHOEVER DIES IN THE FIELD.” Which is precisely what happened: 2 KINGS 9:34-35 AND WHEN HE HAD GONE IN, HE ATE AND DRANK. THEN HE SAID, “GO NOW, SEE TO THIS ACCURSED WOMAN, AND BURY HER, FOR SHE WAS A KING’S DAUGHTER.” SO THEY WENT TO BURY HER, BUT THEY FOUND NO MORE OF HER THAN THE SKULL AND THE FEET AND THE PALMS OF HER HANDS.
Breaking Control
We have seen how Elijah and Elisha broke the control of Jezebel and Ahab over the people of Israel.
Ask any respected prophet what they hate the most. Almost invariably, they will hate controlling spirits as much as religious spirits.
I would like to emphasize the length of time it takes for character development before God allows a prophet to operate at this level.
If we do not allow the time to develop this character, we can either cause much damage or enter deception and pride.
People who operate at this level of the prophetic office must understand the difference between foretelling and forth-telling.
Breaking the Power of Barrenness
The prophet can speak into being that which is not there in the physical.
We see this portrayed in the life of Elisha when a barren woman is predicted to bring forth a child:
2 KINGS 4:16-17 THEN HE SAID, “ABOUT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR YOU SHALL EMBRACE A SON.” AND SHE SAID, “NO, MY LORD. MAN OF GOD, DO NOT LIE TO YOUR MAIDSERVANT!” BUT THE WOMAN CONCEIVED, AND BORE A SON WHEN THE APPOINTED TIME HAD COME, OF WHICH ELISHA HAD TOLD HER
Prophecy is; declaring the goodness and intent of God and speaking into existence things that are not evident yet!
Prophets and Apostles
In the Old Testament, we find prophets and kings working together. This changes to prophets and apostles in the New Testament.
Foundation to the Church
The prophets and apostles are the foundation of the church:
EPHESIANS 2:20 HAVING BEEN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,
Paul and Barnabas
One of the primary functions of the prophets is sending and establishing ministry gifts into their place in the kingdom of God. We see this happen with the sending of Paul and Barnabas as apostles.
ACTS 13:1-2 NOW IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH THERE WERE CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: BARNABAS, SIMEON WHO WAS CALLED NIGER, LUCIUS OF CYRENE, MANAEN WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL. AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD AND FASTED, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, “NOW SEPARATE TO ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM.”
Prophets Foretelling for Apostles
We also see that Agabus could foresee what would happen to Paul in the future. Agabus had proven himself accurate regarding the coming famine, so he deemed it necessary to warn Paul that he would suffer persecution if he went to Jerusalem.
ACTS 21:11 WHEN HE HAD COME TO US, HE TOOK PAUL’S BELT, BOUND HIS OWN HANDS AND FEET, AND SAID, “THUS SAYS THE HOLY SPIRIT, ‘SO SHALL THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM BIND THE MAN WHO OWNS THIS BELT, AND DELIVER HIM INTO THE HANDS OF THE GENTILES.’”
However, this did not discourage Paul, who was quite willing to die for the gospel.
ACTS 21:13 THEN PAUL ANSWERED, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WEEPING AND BREAKING MY HEART? FOR I AM READY NOT ONLY TO BE BOUND, BUT ALSO TO DIE AT JERUSALEM FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.”
Prophets Putting People into Leadership
It is common for a prophet to see where a leader fits in the body of Christ. However, unless the prophet holds a leadership position within the realm of the upcoming leader, it is not for the prophet to put that person in leadership.
It is for the apostle, or the person responsible for the oversight of the church, to make the final decision and timing of placing into leadership.
Summary
1. The ministry of the prophet is different from the gift of prophecy
2. The ministry is a grace from Jesus, not from the Holy Spirit.
3. It is second in importance only to the apostle, as the foundation of the church, with Jesus as the cornerstone.
4. Training prophets takes time, requiring a call from God and character development until finally, they are chosen by God as a prophet.
5. Along with the other ministry gifts, the prophet’s central role is to equip the saints.
6. By moving in the spirit of Elijah, prophets will move in the miraculous.
7. Prophets and prophetesses work with the apostles to advance the kingdom of God.