Eph 4:11
And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
First before we move into the lesson, please note the title "Five Fold Ministry Gifts" . This heading is not based on a scriptural reference. It is derived from what is deemed common church vernacular of this present time. I see nothing in itself to be wrong with the term but I do want to be clear on it's origin.
In addition, I also want you to view the text as it applies to both men and women in the office of the Prophet, Yes the Bible shows women in this role and office as well.
Luke 2:36
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
Acts 21:9
Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses
Wow, that must have been some household, living with four daughters all prophets!!!!!!
It is also, the earnest motivation of this writer, to bring the subject of spiritual gifts to a place of clarity, through and by the Word of GOD, The Holy Bible.
And finally, ultimately, I hope we all will find our proper place and role ordained for us by GOD Himself, and thereby fulfill the call of GOD on our lives both as individuals and together as the church.
Now, lets us begin; Our featured verse tells us that Our LORD is in the practice of gifting men. In fact the scripture says He Himself, appointed men, no one else had a hand in the selection process.
It is very clear that this is a foundation truth, GOD is the source of these appointments and gifts
Notice the other confirming scriptures:
1 Cor 12:4
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Cor 12:5
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord
Cor 12:11
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
GOD either has or will confirm the gift seeded in you through the agency of His Spirit.
These gifts remain operational until GOD's purpose is fulfilled.
What is the purposeand goal of GOD?
Eph 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
As long as people are being saved, the gifts remain to bring these very precious souls, whom Our Lord died to save, to a place of maturity in HIM.
The first gift that I will apply scriptural references to will be the "Prophet". I am not going in any particular order. This office was foremost in my spirit at this time. Each Post will focus on another office............
But let us continue; Let us define both the gift and then the office held by the gift holder.
Prophet: The Prophet proclaims future events as given to him by GOD, accurately without a single flaw, every event will occur exactly as the Prophet has said. The Prophet's office watches over GOD's covenant people for compliance with HIS covenant. The office yields authority to correct behavior, pronounce judgements and warnings to the people. And, it is a office GOD will use to proclaim favor and benevolence on us as well.
Deut 18:20
'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'
The Prophet is our LORD's mouth piece. If a Prophet speaks a word outside of what GOD commands him the judgement is severe. When you read in the Bible about the Prophets proclamations it always begins with "Thus saith the LORD GOD".
The Prophet always speaks for GOD as the Spirit of GOD reveals to him what should be spoken.
2 Pet 1:21
For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.
If men claim to be prophets and their words fall to the ground without coming true we are not to respect that person, we should not fear the person, because he or she has shown themselves to be false.
Deut 18:22
"When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
Here is the Prophet Nathan serving in his office in the case of King David;
2 Sam 12:7
Nathan then said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.
2 Sam 12:8
'I also gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!
2 Sam 12:9
'Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
GOD's Judgement given to David, through the mouth of the Prophet Nathan:
2 Sam 12:11
"Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
2 Sam 12:12
'Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.'"
2 Sam 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.
2 Sam 12:14
"However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die."
All in a days work for the Prophet of GOD. This is an example to solidify the role of the Prophet in GOD's Kingdom operating in the earth.
Many people today are declaring themselves Prophets for GOD. I can assure you the vast majority of them are false prophets. The evidence necessary to take many of them seriously is simply not there.
I can not tell you how many times I have seen so-called prophets proclaiming all sorts of blessings and prosperity on people and the end of the prophesy proved false, therefore proving them to be false as well. The amount of deception that has infiltrated today's church is shocking. Today's false prophet is a blessor primarily, rarely have we seen correction, warnings and or judgements being administered.
Well, GOD told me to tell 77 people...If you give......Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven dollars you will be blessed... how very very sad.
Lam 2:14
Your prophets have seen for you False and foolish visions; And they have not exposed your iniquity So as to restore you from captivity, But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles
Because of Today's media church business is all out in the street...We witness scandal after scandal but we rarely see correction being exacted by any of the so-called Prophets, the next day back in the pulpit and back on TV. Selling their souls to the World's appetite for gossip, instead of becoming contrite and repentant until they are restored to right standing with Jesus.
Matt 24:11
"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Our Savior Jesus prophesied about the times we live in, Jesus is not only the SON of GOD, but the entire embodiment of the five fold ministry gifts , He served in every office, and we would be wise to take heed of HIS warning and very unwise if we choose to ignore HIS warning.
Luke 6:26
"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
Many of these men and women have a loyal following and are treated by this following like Hollywood icons or people with royal credentials.. This is not the LORD we do not worship men.. we Worship GOD alone..
Genuine Prophets will have a prophets credentials in action. We will know them by the fruit they bear. He will be bold, He will proclaim prophecy's of correction and warning. And the real Prophet walks in the Authority ordained by GOD..He will hold us to the standard God mandates that we maintain. The Prophet provides structure and boundaries for the maturing Christian.
