An overview of prophecy in the Church

By John Chopores

 

True prophecy; will lead to holy actions:

2Ch 15:8 ¶ And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.

 

Be aware that there are many false prophets that will prophesize lies for money:

Ne 6:12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Mic 3:11 Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us."

 

A true prophet will be against all sin:

La 2:14 Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.

 

All prophecy should be in line with the Bible:

Cf. Mt 13:14 "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;

 

The person who helps a true prophet, do the work of the Lord: will be rewarded:

Cf. Mt 10:41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. [This verse, also seems to be saying: that there is a certain kind of reward for a prophet. Cf. with Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.].

 

 Prophecy is one of the Gifts that God has given to the Church:

Ro 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [When we speak a prophecy, we need to do so in faith].

 1Co 12:10 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.

 1Co 13:2 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.

 

Prophecy can and should be used by everyone in the church:

Cf. 1Co 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

 

We should love all the Gifts of the Spirit; including prophecy:

Cf. 1Th 5:20 Do not despise prophecies.

 

God can use prophecy to guide us:

Cf. 1Ti 1:18 ¶ This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

 

When a prophet gives a prophecy, in a church meeting; the other prophets in the room; should judge it:

Cf. 1Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

 

Prophecy should be part of the ordinance ceremony:

Cf. 1Ti 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. [The Greek word used here for “gift” is “charisma”; which is the same Greek word used in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 for “gift”.].

 

YLT has “through prophecy”.

NASB has “through prophetic utterance”.