Prophecy or Knowledge: Will the Real Gift of the Spirit Please Stand Up!

A recent Hub of mine dealt with modern day false prophets, those who misappropriate the so-called “office” of the Prophet taken from Ephesians.[1] These men and women set themselves up as something they are not. As covered before, the last Old Covenant (Testament for those of you who still prefer a dead God) Prophet was John the Baptist and the Christ specifically identified him as the latter day advent of Elijah.[2] So, the work of the forerunners was completed. When the Holy Spirit of God evolved from the pillar of fire[3] to break into infinite tongues of fire[4] the need for a Prophet of the type of Isaiah no longer existed, as the Gift of Prophecy was given to the whole of the body of Christ.

In this Hub, I will focus on that specific gift and how it has been misunderstood. Recently, we were in service with a beautifully anointed couple. They were sincere and humble before God and allowed His Spirit to move through them to exhort the congregation in a special way. I was cautious going into the service because they were presented as a “Prophetic Ministry”. When I hear this, I automatically go on “wait and see” mode to ascertain whether the visitors are of the first type of Prophet mentioned.

This couple, thankfully, was not. What they were guilty of doing though, was confusing the Gift of Knowledge with the Gift of Prophecy . As the gentleman explained the ministry to the church, he stated that the purpose of prophecy was to speak into the lives of the people, exhort, and express purpose. Not to belittle the wonderful effect of the couple’s ministry, this is not the truth. What he was identifying was the Gift of Knowledge.

Prophecy is a Spiritually given utterance that identifies a specific future event or events. The prophecy may identify consequences if changes are not made, a future blessing based on obedience, or a promise from God that will be granted at a future time. It is not, though, the speaking of encouragement, purpose, health conditions, etc. into people’s lives. This is the activity of the Gift of Knowledge. This confusion of the two gifts often leads an anointed person to believe he or she is a prophet when they are actually acting in the position of an Apostle if the gift is manifested as the mark of a ministry, as was with these wonderful people.

The Gift of Knowledge sets order into the body of Christ. When manifested as a ministry, it is the mark of an Apostle. Apostles are not simply “church planters”. Paul returned to the churches he birthed or sent another in his place to maintain order in those assemblies. When he listed the faults of the church at Corinth, he may have been rehearsed by correspondence from a member of the body, but he was most likely acting from the basis of the Gift of Knowledge.

Today, God sends Apostles to His body to act in that same manner. They speak order into an assembly as spiritual partners to the Pastors. The messages brought are not always love and happiness. Sometimes they must correct a situation that has gotten out of hand, as did Paul on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, this is often misunderstood as being a prophetic ministry, thanks to the charlatans identified before. This does not even identify the “office” of the Prophet as related to the New Covenant Believers.

First, Paul identifies this calling as being “in the church”, not in a group of people separated from the body to pat each other on the back.[5] Second, the Greek used here and in Ephesians denotes “one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. ”[6] Note: in Acts 13:1 there are five men identified as being in the church at Antioch, Paul among them .

One person can fill more than one of these offices as these men were identified as both Prophets and Teachers, while Paul was also an Apostle. That was three of the five positions in Ephesians, and can anyone doubt that Paul also could fill the position of a Pastor and an Evangelist? Let’s look at commentary from Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.

And he gave… In #1Co 12:28 Paul uses eyeto (more common verb, appointed), but here repeats edwken (indeed gave ) from the quotation in verse #8. There are four groups (identified in the Greek, spiritual: Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers; power: miracles and healers; administrative: helps, and government; and finally verbal: diversity of tongues[7] ) The titles are in the predicate accusative (emphatic, not to be ignored). Each of these words occurs in #1Co 12:28 except poimenav (shepherds). This word poimhn is from a root meaning to protect. Jesus said the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep[8] and called himself the Good Shepherd. In Heb 13:20 Christ is the Great Shepherd[9]. Only here are preachers termed shepherds (Latin pastores ) in the N.T. But the verb poimainw, to shepherd, is employed by Jesus to Peter[10], by Peter to other ministers[11], by Paul to the elders (bishops) of Ephesus[12]. Here Paul groups "shepherds and teachers" together. All these gifts can be found in one man, though not always. Some have only one.[13]

Notice, the position of a Pastor is shepherd , not dictator . This is a definite illustration for the agrarian culture of that time, as the people would recognize that “sheep”, or the congregation, can only be lead, not pushed. This is relevant to the other positions within the ministry, especially one used in the Gift of Knowledge. It is no coincidence that Paul listed wisdom first, and knowledge second in the list of nine of the gifts.[14] What good is the gift of knowledge if the one anointed hasn’t the wisdom to know what to disclose and what not to? God will give us more concerning a person than we need share openly to allow us to know how the message needs to be delivered for the desired impact.

So, next time someone shows up claiming a “Prophetic Ministry”, measure it by these standards:

· Does is concern purpose or future events?

· Does it exhort or tear down (which sounds like the Spirit of a loving God?

· Listen for the focus on “I” or “Him”. A fake is all about himself.

· And last, be cautious and ask God to reveal the truth to you.

God has a perfect plan for His people, but unfortunately, there are always those who hijack His word for personal gain. Be informed and know the difference, and be blessed.

[1] Ephesians 4:11

[2] Matthew 11:12-15

[3] Exodus 13:21

[4] Acts 2:3

[5] 1 Corinthians 12:28

[6] Strong’s Greek Dictionary listing #4396, prophetes

[7] Diversity represents tongues, interpretation and common (earthly) tongues for understanding as in the day

of Pentecost

[8] John 10:11

[9] cf. 1 Peter 2:25

[10] John 21:16

[11] 1 Peter 5:2

[12] Acts 20:28

[13] The Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament, Copyright © Broadman Press 1932,33, Renewal 1960.

Italics inserted for explanation by author.

[14] 1 Corinthians 12:8-10