NATIONAL HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY
TITLE: THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY- OFFICE, GIFT, AND PURPOSE

SYNOPSIS
This message carefully differentiates the prophetic office from the gift, revealing the Holy
Spirit’s power to guide, edify, and comfort the church.

INTRODUCTION
1. Define Terms
• Brief comment on differentiation of gifts of the Holy Spirit and gifts of
men….
• The gifts of men…. as per (Eph. 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and
some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”
come be election, spiritual anointing and recognition of church as
revealed or directed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13: 2-4) “As they ministered
to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted
and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from
thence they sailed to Cyprus”.

2. The Prophet
The calling of a Prophet….is different from the gift of prophecy. The prophet by
definition basically exercises the gifts of prophecy……. but the gift alone is not the only
gift that the prophet exercise……. Essentially, the five-fold ministry pertains to
ministries of authority and power in the church. Paul talks of “am I not an apostle?”
……………he proves his point by the authority and power he has exercised in
establishing the Corinthian Church and by the signs and miracles following his
ministry. (1
st Cor. 9: 1; “Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord” , 2
nd Cor. 12:12 “Truly the signs of an
apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty
deeds”.)
The prophet is a man, a VOICE or the VOICE of God. He has close fellowship with God
and hence can say with authority “Thus saith the LORD.” He may exercise supernatural
powers – such as faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles and the divine “Life-giving
force” Spirit. The prophet is a person of spiritual authority and power.
The study of the ministries of the prophets of the Old Testaments and of men like John the
Baptist, Paul and Agabus in the New Testaments gives a clear picture of the standing of a
Prophet. The nation, the church, the congregation, looks to him in crisis, when in need for
declaration of “Thus saith the LORD.” God uses him when He has a message to convey to
His people.
The Prophets of the Old Testaments were men with authority and power. Consider
Elijah/Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Amos and Joel. The seal of office was clearly
upon them, in the midst of an ordinary carnal community. They did mighty works but
essentially, they spoke against social and political abuses, against priestcraft and the
establishment. That is not to say that the prophet is mainly set against social evil and
therefore any militant campaigner for social justice is a prophet. Israel was the “church’
and nation of God’s people.
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were prophets of their days, speaking under the unction
of the Holy Spirit against human evil but also leading men unto repentance and faith
towards God. It was said of the great reformer: “Dr. Martin Luther was a prophet,
evangelist, speaker in tongues and interpreter, in one person, endowed with all the gifts
of the Holy Spirit.” (Sauer’s History of the Christian church, Vol. 3 pg. 206). That is to say,
the Christian age is not without prophets of the Old Testament type. The prophet must be
called of the Father and anointed by the Holy Spirit. Each had his mission, Moses, Elijah,
Isaiah, John and the Prophet Jesus.
However, the main audience of the church age are born-again, spirit-filled, spiritual
community each with equal access to the throne room and knowledge, wisdom, and
other gifts of the Spirit. The early church needed prophecy for teaching doctrine and
Apostles and Teachers to give ruling. There is need today also now the world is printed for
all. The prophets therefore do not stand like that tall tree in a savanna, or towers of light
in darkness. Yet there will be and there are times and occasions when the church, the
nation, the people would need to hear “Thus saith the Lord.” Hence, He gave some
prophets. We need therefore to make a clear distinction between the prophet from the
exercise of the gift of prophecy. A prophet is a man, an office, not a spiritual gift. It is not
everyone who exercises the gift of prophecy that is a prophet.
In discussing the topic “The Holy Spirit and the Prophetic Ministry,” we will dwell mainly
on the gift of prophecy instead of the office or ministry of the prophet. Our aim here is to
help throw more light on the main gift exercised by the prophets so that both those called
as prophets and those who exercise the gift of prophecy and those of us who are blessed
with other gifts will all understand the prophetic ministry and be able to derive full
blessings of the ministry. In doing so, we would consider the relationship between the
prophet and the Holy Spirit in the exercise of the gift of prophecy.
However, we must briefly state the nature of the office of prophet. The prophetic office,
like the apostle, evangelist, pastor or teacher is a ministry, not a title. The prophet is a
person, not a spiritual gift. He is a spokesman, or Voice of God, called to give divine
guidance to men. The prophets were sometimes called seers in the Old Testament (1
st
Samuel 9:9 :”Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake,
Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called
a Seer”), perhaps by reference to the revelatory foretelling or predictive aspect of the
ministry rather than the forth telling aspect. Consider the Ga word ‘abalo’ or the Twi work
‘Nkomhwe ni.’ The prophetic office always involves the word of wisdom, revelation and
the prediction of future events.
The prophet exercise authority with divine words and power through the exercise of other
gifts, particularly the power gifts of faith and miracles and also healing and Word of
wisdom or revelation. Noah had knowledge of the coming on the stage of human history.
David revealed through his Psalms how the Messiah would come and how He would die
(Ps. 2 & 22). Isaiah saw the virgin bear the Emmanuel (Is. 7: 14-16), His crucifixion (Is. 53)
and the kingdom of God come into reality (Is. 11). Elijah, Samson and Elisha worked feats
of miracles. Samuel ruled Israel and “appointed” and anointed kings. Jesus spoke of the
coming of the Holy Spirit. John has put the church in readiness for the last day events in
Revelation. Daniel shone us a tower of light and power in Babylon. The seal of office is
always clear.
The greatest weapon of the prophets is WORD, Holy Spirit inspired, directed, poured forth
WORDS, words of authority and mighty consequences. The proof of the prophet therefore
is the fulfillment of the WORDS spoken.
There is difference therefore between a prophet and the simple gift of prophecy. The
prophet is elected by the Father and Christ and anointed into office by the Holy Spirit who
imparts the requisite gifts for his ministry. (Is. 61: 1; Eph. 4: 11). Spiritual anointing into
office needs recognition of and hence blessing or anointing of the church. (Acts 6: 1-6;
13: 1-4; 1st Tim. 4: 14). It is the Holy Spirit who inspires and direct him. The gift of prophecy
essentially is meant for edification, exhortation and comfort of the people of God mostly.
The prophet exercises the gift of prophecy, but it is not everyone who prophesies that is a
prophet. The gift of prophecy is the SPIRIT that comes upon the believer. Is. 61: 1; 1st Cor.
12: 10.
There are 78 prophets and prophetesses in the Bible. These include Enoch, Moses, Elijah,
Deborah, Isaiah, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Joel, John the Baptist, Anna, Jesus, Peter, John
and Paul. There were groups of prophets – the 70 elders of Israel (Numbers 11:25), the
Samuel day school of prophets (1st Sam. 10: 5-10). There were 16 Old Testaments writing
prophets, and 4 New Testament writing prophets; Peter, Paul, James and John, Prophets
speak to individuals (Acts 5: 3-9) to a nation (Hosea 9: 1) and to nations or the world
(Jeremiah 1: 5)
The Bible talks also of false prophets who speak when God has said nothing (Acts 13: 6-
12) or who operate under the deceiving and wicked influence of the devil (Rev. 16: 13-14).
The problem is that the devil usually counterfeits the gift of the Spirit so we find witches
seeking to reveal the future, soothsayers, magicians and familiar spirits seeking to know
the unknown, palm reading, fortune telling, mind reading, ESP or extra sensory
perception, Gurus, Ouija Boards, and various attempts by the devil lead men to perform
the supernatural through human means or demonic control. There can be false speaking
in tongues which closer examination will reveal does not edify the church or glorify God.
The gift of prophecy is not of the inspirational gifts of the Holy Spirit, tongues and
interpretation being the others (1st Cor. 12: 10). Prophecy involves the human will and
faith but does not involve the human intellect. The gift has three divine
purposes……Edification, Exhortation and Comfort (1st Cor. 14L:3). But it should be
distinguished from preaching. Whilst preaching at best is the natural mind speaking by
the Holy Spirit, prophecy is the mind of the Holy Spirit speaking. Preaching is inspired but
not supernatural, but prophecy is supernatural utterance…. There can be prophetic
preaching where the Holy Spirit totally takes over, and preaching transcends the human
mind into the supernatural. Consider Jesus in John 7: 46; 14:1. The possessor of the gift
controls prophecy (1st Cor. 14:32). As the human mind will readily accept its own thought
as divine inspiration, prophecy needs to be controlled and judged.
Thus, the gift can be regulated such that usually only three prophecies are allowed in one
meeting. The gifts is exercised to faith (Rom. 12:6)
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy,
let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith”.
It has limitations. It is partial and not completes (1st Cor. 13: 9). And its use is limited by
the main definition in 1st Cor. 14:3.
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and
comfort”.
The gift is considered the greatest of the gifts of inspiration. Tongues and interpretation
together constitute prophecy………There is prophecy when the speaker speaks foresights
in the common language of understanding of the audience……It involves higher faith and
responsibility……. Its purpose as stated in 1stCor. 14:3 is for Edification, Exhortation and
Comfort. Edification pertains to the building up and strengthening of the
church……Multitudes of Christians are in need not only of spiritual insight which comes
by teachings but strengthening in their Christians character. The Holy Spirit therefore
uses this gift in His role of teaching, comforting and guidance to shepherd the church, to
exhort or inspire the church to faith, holiness, maturity and Christian service. Exhortation
is not a ministry of criticism. Prophecy can bring deliverance, from depression, and
lukewarmness. The Holy Spirit are representative of Jesus the Great Good Shepherd does
inspire men with utterance to comfort and fill hearts with joy and peace. (1st Thess. 4: 1,
13-18; 5: 1-4, 11)
The gift of prophecy comes into focus in times of crisis, distress, sorrow, persecution or
suffering. The church needs divine comfort. It is the Holy Spirit who opens the heavenly
doors to bring the healing forces of heaven to the hearts of believers. (Consider Isaiah 61:
3)
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the
oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they
might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be
glorified.”
The gifts function through the inspiration, anointing, direction and energizing of the Holy
Spirit. (Consider Peter on the Day of Pentecost – Acts 2, Zachariah at the birth of John the
Baptist – Luke 1: 67-69, Simeon at the dedication of Jesus – Luke 2: 25-32). We exercise
the gift by faith and in love. Essentially, each prophet or possessor of the gift knows the
way the Holy Spirit prods him unto utterance. He needs faith to stand in the desired
position without interruptions, without doubt, fear or indifference. We must do all things
as unto the Lord by faith and cheerfully. (Consider Micah 3: 8 and John 16: 8). The Holy
Spirit is central to prophecy. He knows. He speaks. For example, tongues requiring
interpretation bursts forth on inspiration. The interpretation is also not an operation of the
human mind, but it is a functioning of the Holy Spirit through the mind. The interpreter
does not understand the language of the tongue he is interpreting. His mental faculties
are not part of the message. The interpreter normally receives only one or two words and
as he speaks these, the remaining part of the message opens up a few words at a time.
Thus, prophecy involves a total yielding of mind, spirit and vocal chord unto the Holy
Spirit. The prophet must know the inspirational prompting of the Holy Spirit and moving
in faith yield his faculties and members to the Spirit to use. The words come forth without
interpretation. The message flows from the prophet’s spirit rather than his mind. He
knows how to yield his whole being to the Holy Spirit.
As an inspirational gift therefore, prophecy comes forth after worship or after an inspiring
sermon. The Holy Spirit speaks directly to the people in response to the praises,
adoration and worship to edify, exhort and to comfort His people. God may choose to
speak of future events – foretelling His people of events before they come. So, when they
do, they will praise Him (John 13:19). The Holy Spirit can also use the gift of prophecy and
prophetic preaching to teach doctrine, such as the cases of the early church and so Paul
experienced (Gal. 1: 15-20; 1st Cor. 2:4, 10-13).
To conclude, the prophetic office is an important and very essentially ministry in the
church and for that matter a nation of God’s people. The prophet receives from the
Almighty to give guidance, to edify, exhort and comfort so the people of God live in
comfort, peace and the blessings of God. A man of faith, power and authority, the prophet
not only needs to know how to yield his faculties and vocal chord to the Holy Spirit. The
ministry requires sound knowledge of and good standing with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy
Spirit who receives from the Father and Son, inspires the prophet to speak forth the will,
revelations and directions of God. (John 16: 13-15). The Spirit of the Lord must come upon
the prophets as in Is. 61:1 for work such as in Is. 61:3. The prophet must know how to
walk in the Spirit through study of the word, and the mind and operation of the Holy Spirit
and also effective prayer and obedience. The prophet is not a machine………As a being,
he has spirit, mind, will and emotions of his own. Thus, although the gift of prophecy is of
the administration and operation of the Holy Spirit, the prophet or one blessed with the
gifts of prophecy can bring the operation under subjection in full consonance with the will
of God, order in the church, and decency and effectiveness in communication.
The gift of prophecy has been described as the greatest of the inspirational gifts –
prophecy, tongues and interpretation, and perhaps of the greatest of all the gifts. We will
agree with Paul when we consider the gift from the point of view of building the church
and the Kingdom. As a gift of edification and comfort, with possibilities of revelation, word
of wisdom of future events, and knowledge, power and authority when in operation by the
prophet the gift is of great significance in the fulfillment of the purpose of God. This
however does not make those blessed with the gift better than any saint. The saint is not
the gift. Let us seek honour before God in obedience, love, humble and faithful service.
Prophets can be taken by pride and arrogance and deceived by the devil who may turn
the gift into criticism with misleading revelations and confusion utterances. Let us all
desire gifts, yea, let us all desire to prophecy as all may be built up to maturity in love in
the service of God and the brethren. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.