Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam
There is a difference between a prophet and the gift of prophecy.
A prophet is one of the gifts God has given the church, see Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. Only two or three prophets are to speak, and what they say is to be judged by the hearers (ref 1 Corinthians 14:29-31) but all can prophesy. A person who prophesies speaks for:
edification (to build up)
exhortation (to stir up)
comfort (to lift up or to cheer up) |
Interesting, Sam. I also pondered the distinction of the prophet in Ephesians and the gift of prophecy and exhortation of "I wish you all would prophecy" in
1 Corinthians 14, in an attempt to find that distinction.
What I can make out today is that a prophet is often a voice to the Church. The prophet is the moral objector, the one who may confront our direction, ask us to reflect upon our heart, etc... IMO most UPCI Evangelists (and other denoms) don't truly operate as an evangelist, but rather in a prophetic sense. An evangelist should take up a post in the City to bring masses to Jesus, baptize them and disciple them. The one-day scream in tongues, collect a check and leave is not very evangelistic.
But the prophet... is it an office or a role? It sounds like there are multiple people in the church with this gift. Does anyone ever get the sense of frustration of being so far from the early church model?