Ministry Offices or Gifts? What the New Testament Really Says.

 What about Ministry “offices” or gifts-particularly the "prophet"?

What does the New Testament Really Say?

Mary Ann Wray

As a disclaimer, I do not possess a PhD in Theology or a Master's in Divinity. I share this perspective from 5 decades of being a "Charismatic" Christian who has devoted a large portion of her life to studying God's Word and have experienced many excesses, spiritual misuses and mishandling of scripture in the Charismatic Arm of the Church.

In the 50 years that I've walked with Jesus I don't claim to be an 'expert' nor have I walked perfectly and faultless before the Lord in those 50 years. But I do strive to walk in repentance before Him every day.

Having said that, I share this from my own personal experience and study as a Good Berean. I also understand that some brothers, will not receive what a female teaches, but that’s between them and the Lord. Therefore, I understand that my audience is further limited by such predispositions.

You don't have to agree with me, of course, but I have come to these conclusions that I feel led to share, after much 'wrestling' with God and His Word. There are some critical issues and prophetic excesses that have surfaced particularly over the past decade or so in the NAR, WoF and Prophetic Movements. As such, it appears that the Body of Christ is in a state of confusion over some key areas that need careful examination and critical Biblical thinking.

Having said all that, let’s for a moment talk about the “office” of a prophet.

According to Hebrews Chapter 1, along with many other scriptures that reference the preeminence of Christ, the office and function of an Old Testament prophet was superseded by Christ Himself. See Hebrews 1 particularly verses 1-4.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."

On the Day of Pentecost, Joel 2: 28 was fulfilled when the Father poured out the Promised Holy Spirit on all flesh and said, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy...” On the day of Pentecost all that received the Holy Spirit, either spoke in tongues or prophesied. To prophesy (prophēteuō) means to speak forth under divine inspiration, or to proclaim a message from God. Depending on context, prophecy can involve prediction, but prediction is not inherent in the word itself.

Prophecy is not something man can "turn on" and "turn off" like a light switch at will. It is as the Holy Spirit Wills. People spoke as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance in the Book of Acts. Some spoke in unknown tongues of men or of angels (1 Cor 13: 1), and others spoke of the mighty acts of Christ so that those 'listening' could understand what was being said (Acts 2: 11).

Bonafide New Testament prophetic utterances always point back to Christ in some way, shape or form. Revelation 19: 10 tells us that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Any “prophecy” that leaves Jesus Christ out and points primarily to a man, a people group, a place or thing and exalts any of that over and above Jesus Christ and His revealed Word, is something we should mark and avoid.

1 Thessalonians 5: 19-21 tells us not to quench the Spirit, not to despise prophecies but test all things, holding fast to what is good while abstaining from every form of evil. Anyone who becomes defensive, offended or refuses to allow their ‘words’ and any related ‘demonstrations’ to be tested is not worth listening to, in my humble opinion, no matter how their words may be delivered or how spiritual they may sound. In other words, whether it’s through teaching, outlined preaching, extemporaneous preaching or words of instruction, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, tongues with the interpretation, the Bible says that we as Christians need to test all things. It is a command and a New Testament responsibility.

Also, it is important to point out from Acts 2, that after the outpouring of the Spirit, Peter preached a powerful "Pentecostal" sermon (Acts 2: 14-21) reiterating Joel 2, Jesus death, burial and resurrection, and quoted Psalm 16 (Acts 2: 25-28) arguing that David prophetically spoke of the Messiah's resurrection. As a result, the crowd was cut to the heart and asked "What shall we do?" About three thousand received the Word of the Lord and were baptized. It is clear that the purpose of prophesy as recounted in the Book of Acts and witnessed with the tongues of fire, the following glossolalia and Peter’s powerful sermon was to exalt Jesus Christ which in turn caused thousands to receive Him.

And in Acts 13, Luke mentions prophets and teachers in Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon also called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen. Acts 15: 32 Luke mentions Judas and Silas who exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. Another named Agabus, foretold of a famine in order to prepare the church in Judea (Acts 11). It had a practical purpose and served to bring relief to the saints during a difficult time. Agabus also predicted Paul’s arrest in chapter 21.

However, in the previous chapter (20), Paul already knew what awaited him when he went into Jerusalem. So Agabus prediction was just a confirmation to what Paul already knew was going to happen (Acts 20: 22-24).

“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” Acts 21: 10-11

Then, also, in Acts 21, we see that Philip had four daughters who were called prophetesses (they prophesied). The pattern that emerges is that New Testament prophets and teachers were not hailed, exalted or lifted up to the status of an Old Testament prophet, such as Ezekiel or Samuel or Hosea or Jeremiah etc.

Christ fulfilled all the law and the prophets. As such they were under strict punishment if what they said did not come to pass or if they prophesied falsely altogether under the Old Covenant. However, prophecy in its proper context and function is considered important enough to the Holy Spirit to allow it’s work to continue under the New Covenant but with different stipulations. The purpose and guidelines for New Testament prophecy is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 14: 3-5.

“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”

While prophecy is important under the new covenant, so are all 21 gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We’ll come back to this in a moment. But the Gift of Prophecy and those whom God uses to operate in this gifting, should not be emphasized or exalted to the same level of an Old Testament prophet(ess) because we have the more sure word of prophecy, which is Christ-and the apostolic doctrine. Both prophets and prophetesses existed under the Old Covenant, but again, their function was different than what we see after the Book of Acts.

Prophetic words today, should only confirm what has already “been written” for the purposes outlined in 1 Corinthians 14: 3-5. There has been an inordinate emphasis on predicting the future, bringing extra biblical experiential knowledge and elevation of men and woman to a degree of exaltation that we simply do not see in the Book of Acts or anywhere else in the New Testament that mentions prophetic utterances. This is very dangerous and heretical in many instances.

To exalt the “prophetic” to a particular office as we see happening today in the NAR movement and charismatic branch of the church is to revert back to Old Testament law and tradition. Under the Old Covenant, God used prophets to warn and speak to his people because they did not possess the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

However, under the new covenant what Jeremiah prophesied in Chapter 31: 31-34 was fulfilled at Pentecost. He predicted that God would write his law upon the tablets of men’s hearts and put his spirit within them. This is a continual promise that was fulfilled and began at Pentecost and would be available thereafter to whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord (Joel 2: 32, Acts 2: 21, Romans 10: 9, 13).

God can use people prophetically to warn and to even at times foretell certain events. But remember that any ‘prediction’ in the New Testament had the purpose of preparing the church for a difficult time. To reiterate, the purpose of New Testament prophecy is threefold: to exhort, comfort and edify. In the book of revelation, John, the beloved, predicted many things that have yet come to pass. However, modern prophets who are hailed as accurate cannot hold to the same testament and pattern. John was an original foundational Apostle ordained by Christ. What he did and said was foundational to the life of the church. Modern “prophets” simply do not hold the same position of authority.

It is important to reiterate, Revelation 19: 10 says, the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Jesus never contradicts himself, never points back to the Old Covenant as the pattern by which to approach the Father, have relationship with him or conduct the Great Commission. He said “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through me (John 14: 6-7). Jesus fills all in all (Colossians 1: 15-20; Colossians 2: 6-15).

We also need to understand that serving ministry gifts outlined in Ephesians 4: 11 is “expanded” by seven ministry gifts explained in Romans chapter 12: 6-8. So technically there is no fivefold ministry. It’s a twelvefold ministry-If you do the math. This is what I mentioned earlier. Then of course, we have the nine gifts (pneumatikos & charismas) of the Holy Spirit outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 that are available to anyone who is willing to seek and pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 mathematically gives us 21 beautiful expressions and ways that each one of us can serve Christ and his people in some capacity (5+7+9=21).

These are expressed spiritual gifts and natures given not just to a few select “anointed ones” that lead and serve the people of God. 1 John 2 tells us that we have all been “anointed” with the Holy Spirit and 2 Corinthians 1: 21-22 iterates the same. The Holy Spirit actually serves as a seal and the “down payment” or earnest (arrabon) for the full measure we will receive in glory. The Holy Spirit’s seal upon us is a guarantee that the full amount will follow if we continue in the faith. See Acts 14: 21-22; Colossians 1: 21-23 & 1 Corinthians 15: 1-2; Hebrews 3: 14; Matthew 24: 13) for admonitions about “continuing in the faith” and “enduring to the end.”

But getting back to the topic at hand, the fact is each one of us has received a gift from the Holy Spirit if you are truly Born Again, and therefore should administer it.

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

And 1 Corinthians 12:7 says: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

We are all brethren. There is absolutely no elitism or special ‘offices’ in the Body of Christ. Jesus alone holds that special office of Head over His Church.

“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.” — Matthew 23:8 NKJV

As I bring this discussion to a close, I want to emphasize that this is a very extensive subject, and we have really only scratched the surface.

But I believe we can see a clear pattern emerging from Scripture. Under the New Covenant, we do not see a continuation of the Old Covenant prophetic office in the same manner. Everything ultimately points us back and up to Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is the Head of His Church, and He has given the Holy Spirit to all of His people. And that same Holy Spirit distributes gifts throughout the body of Christ as He wills.

In this study, we have identified 21 different gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Yet nowhere do we find justification for creating an elite class of Christians who possess some special access to God, special revelation, or spiritual insight that the rest of the body must depend upon them to receive. Jesus said, “You are all brethren.”

We may have different gifts. We may have different functions. We may serve in different capacities. But we have the same Lord, the same Spirit, and we are members of the same Body. Whatever gift God has entrusted to us is not given to exalt us—it is given to serve and edify one another.

And this is where we must keep our focus: Jesus Christ.
Revelation tells us that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Therefore, genuine prophetic ministry should ultimately bear witness to Him—not build a platform around the person delivering it or a movement they may promote.

When ministry begins drawing our attention toward personalities, titles, special status, movements, ministries, or supposed revelations that cannot be tested by the written Word of God, we need to exercise discernment.

Scripture tells us to test all things and hold fast to what is good. And when someone persists in teaching or practicing that which is contrary to sound biblical doctrine, Scripture tells us there comes a time when they are to be marked and avoided.

-So our confidence is not in a prophet.
-Our confidence is not in an apostle.
-Our confidence is not in someone claiming to have a special word from God.
-Our confidence is in Jesus Christ, in His finished work, in His written Word, and in the Holy Spirit whom He has given to His people.
And whatever gifts He has given us, may we use them humbly—not to make a name for ourselves, but for the edification of His body and, above all, for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Shalom~

@followers