CONCERNING SPIRITUALS

Part 5

W. J. Franklin

The Gift of prophecy

I Cor. 14:3. “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” “To flow forth” is the meaning of the Hebrew word – Naba – to bubble forth like a fountain. To flow forth, to tumble forth, to spring forth – that’s Prophecy. These words describe the precious Gift of Prophecy. Who would not covet thus to prophecy?

“To speak for another” is the meaning of the Greek word. To speak for God! To be His spokesman, His mouth! We who were once injurious, unprofitable, etc. can now – through this Gift – be the mouth of the Lord.

Prophecy in its simplest form is divinely inspired and anointed utterance. It is entirely supernatural! The Gift of Tongues is a supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue; Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue.

This wonderful Gift must not be confused with preaching. To treat the Gift thus is to rob it entirely of its supernatural character, In true preaching, the natural mind (with its furnishings of the Word) is operated by the Spirit; in Prophesying, the Mind of Spirit is speaking through natural speech organs. If you will study the Greek words for preaching and for prophesying, you will see the difference. In addition, in I Cor. 14:24 & 31, we find that we all prophesy, and in verse 39 we are told to covet to prophesy. We can see in experience that all are not called to preach. This requites a special gift from Christ. (Eph. 4)

Let us consider some  Scriptural purposes of this Gift:

1) Prophecy is for speaking to men supernaturally. (14:3)

2) To edify the church./ (14:4)

3) To exhort the church. (14:3) This blessed word in the Greek is “Paraklesis” and reminds us of the Comforter, the Holy  Spirit. It means “to call to one’s side so as to aid or help. A word of blessing! This Gift is not a correcting tool; only the precious written Word is given to do that job.

4) To comfort the church. (14:3, 31) the Greek word here means consolation, solace, comfort in trial or distress. So this blessed Gift if used to build up, to stir up, to cheer up!

5) That believers may learn. (14:31)

6) To convict the unbeliever and to make manifest the secrets of his heart. (14:24-25)

Listed below are some observations concerning the use or control of this Gift:

1) We are expressly commanded to desire and covet this Gift. (I Cor. 14:1, 39)

2) Women should prophesy as freely as men. (I Cor. 11:5) (Joel 2:28) ( Acts 2:17) (Acts 21:9)

3) The Gift is not to take the place of the written Word of God. (I Cor, 13:8-9) (I Peter 1:25) (I Cor. 14:32)

4) Prophecies are to be judged by the other prophets present. (I Cor. 14:29) (I Thess. 5:20-21) a prophecy that is not according to the Word is at once to be pronounced as worthless and repudiated without fear. (Ezekiel 13:1-9)

The possessor of the Gift is responsible for its  use, misuse, suppression, or control. Vs. 32, 29, 33 & 40. Although messages in prophecy are subject to regulation, they must not for that or any other reason be despised. (I Thess. 5:20) Because of unbelief and fear, this blessed Gift has been silenced in many churches.