However, in a subtle way, the label speaks to the context and sphere of influence they are operating in. That is a wonderfully confirming, faith building, and validating encouragement to the prophetic heart.
Prophetic Ministry Authority is for Serving, not Subjecting
There is one more important distinction to be made in understanding the proper perspective on the gifts. No office, gifting, or position in the church is binding on anyone who does not choose to submit to it. A prophet may be recognized in one church, but that is not binding on anyone else to see him that way. The determination of someone as a “prophet” isn’t authoritative in the sense that he can now dictate what others are to do. He is only being recognized for what God’s grace provides through him in service to the Church.
None of the offices are designed to be dictatorial. They have authority as imputed by Christ as servants to the Church, and that is the extent of their calling. They have responsibility and limited authority related to what Jesus has apportioned to each for their ministry to operate effectively, but each believer is ultimately responsible to and under the authority of Jesus Christ.
A prophet cannot tell someone what to do, but only share what they believe God is saying in the moment. It’s up to the believer to decide if that agrees with what they are sensing in their own hearts to do. If we choose to submit to the authority of the office out of obedience to the Holy Spirit who is guiding us, that is up to us.
The choice to submit to God-appointed earthly authority in the church is completely on the believer. The Holy Spirit will guide us to join a church, submit to the appointed authority there, and serve as He leads us for the purpose of demonstrating the grace of the gospel and rule of Jesus Christ upon our hearts. We are bound to Jesus, not men.
So any prophetic gift, or word, is never binding on anyone, unless the person chooses to accept what it says, in faith, to apply what God has revealed. No prophet has any control over anyone for any reason. They are the messengers of Jesus only and are not to think they can manipulate or lord anything over anyone in the use of their gift. Any effort of the prophet to exercise undue authority should be avoided. They are called to be servants, not to make others subservient.
Leadership considerations for evaluating where someone stands in their sphere* of prophetic ministry:
Spirit of Prophecy
Personal Fruit we believe God will develop
•Christians with a measure of faith to be used
Ministry Fruit we believe God will bring forth
•Builds up the Church with the following (1 Cor. 14:26):
- Encouragement from God speaking extemporaneously
- Comfort from God with a picture, interpretation, application
- Exhortation from Scripture, poetry, wisdom, or spiritual song
- Word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and an exhortation
- Tongue and/or interpretation of tongue
- Communicates gift in a clear and compassionate manner
- Draws attention to God, His glory, and His purpose
Spirit of Prophecy Sphere of Ministry
•They are used periodically in the prophetic during meetings.
Gift of Prophecy/Prophet
Personal Fruit we believe God will develop
•Proven character, Christian, and member of the local church
•Pattern of growing maturity in Christ in life and family
•Faithful in the broader mission of the Church, not just gift
•Demonstrates a growing love for God’s Church
•Garners respect of others without significant reservations
•Doctrinally sound on the gospel and the ongoing empowerment (infilling/baptism) of the Holy Spirit
•Observable humility and submission to authority
•Eager to receive constructive feedback
Ministry Fruit we believe God will bring forth
•Same as listed in Spirit of Prophecy
Additional Ministry Fruit of a Gift of Prophecy/Prophet
•Faith, accuracy, and depth consistent with a significant gift
•Ministers accurately in local/extra-local Church context
•Ministry consistently evidences the fruit of the Spirit
•Willing to work in team ministry as administrated by others
•Mature in handling predictive, corrective, or directive words
Gift of Prophecy Sphere of Ministry
•Discernible/distinguishable anointing for the gift
•Accurate at personal, corporate, leadership, extra- local level
•Is used regularly in prophecy and other gifts of the Spirit
•Consistent capacity to operate gift submitted to authority
Prophet Sphere of Ministry (beyond gift of prophecy)
•Discernible/distinguishable anointing for the office gift
•Accurate at personal, corporate, leadership, extra- local level
•Is used significantly in prophecy and many gifts of the Spirit
•Consistent capacity to operate in gift as one with authority
•Imparting/Activating anointing that stirs others to step out
•Proven ability to judge/administrate team prophetic ministry
•Capacity to teach the Word, train, equip, and raise up others
•Possesses gifts of leadership and administration seen by all
(*Scope of ministry influence)
In summary, here’s what I believe is true from Scripture about prophetic ministry and its function in the Church.
1)We are called to be a prophetic people. We preach a prophetic gospel message stating that Christ has come and will come again to set up His kingdom. This is “the prophetic word more fully confirmed” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
2)We are all able to prophesy. That is to speak an utterance or thoughts spontaneously brought to mind, infused with the Spirit of God’s anointing and influence on another person, or group of people (1 Cor. 14:31).
