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THE GIFT OF PROPHECY "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." - 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul encourages everyone to pursue the gift of prophecy (v. 1). The primary purpose of prophetic ministry is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort believers (v. 3). In other words, “the one who prophesies edifies the church” (v. 4). Prophecy may also bring conviction of sin to unbelievers who happen to be visiting the gathering of God’s people, as “the secrets of their hearts are laid bare” (vv. 24–25) "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." - Revelation 19:10 We meet people everywhere. Our business is to turn them from being forgetful of God, from being devoid of faith, from being prayerless, so that they become people who habitually pray, who believe in God, remember Him and do his will. Whenever we share a testimony of what the power of Jesus has done -- any miracle, healing, salvation account -- the Spirit of prophecy is loosed over the people who are hearing it. This means the Spirit of God is actively moving on them to create faith. THE OFFICE OF PROPHET "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers," - Ephesians 4:11 God's ultimate weapon is a man or a woman who has encountered the prophetic anointing. Persons anointed with a prophetic ministry speak the word of the Lord in the name of the Lord. They carry weight in the church by virtue of the ethical, moral, and spiritual urgency of their message. Their credentials credibility, and status as prophetic vessels stem not from birth or by official designation, but by the power of their inner call and by the response of those who hear them. The single most characteristic mark of a true prophetic person is the evidence that he or she has stood in the counsel of God and has, therefore, faithfully declared what he or she heard from His mouth. In contrast to the "Gift of Prophecy" which Paul encourages all believers to pursue, the "Office of Prophet" is only given to a few chosen by God. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com