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The Whosoever Study Bible
Whosoever will, may come.
The Holy Spirit Study Guide

Chapter 20: The Gift of Prophecy

I. Prophecy in the Bible

A. The Old Testament prophets were used by God to warn the nation of forthcoming judgment and to promise the Kingdom Age. They were foretelling future events.

B. New Testament prophets usually were “forthtelling” God’s message to the church. The exception is Agabus who foretold a drought (Acts 11:27–28) and Paul’s imprisonment (Acts 21:10–14).

II. The Gift of Prophecy

A. The gift of prophecy has greater value in the church than the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:2–5).

B. The purposes of the gift of prophecy.

1. Jesus Christ is edified (built up) in us by the encouragement and reassurance in prophecies.

2. The church is exhorted to Christian activity to trust, pray praise, step out in faith in prophecies. Praise is especially important for the church to practice (Psalm 22:3).

C. It takes faith for any spiritual gifts to operate in us because we must cooperate with divine power, rather than a material power. He does not totally take us over so we must consciously take part (1 Corinthians 14:32).

D. When God speaks to us in prophecy, His Spirit speaks to our spirit, not to our intellect (Romans 8:16).

E. When the Spirit told the church to send our missionaries, He probably spoke through the prophets in the church (Acts 13:1–2).

III. How To Judge Prophecy

A. Not everything that sounds like prophecy is truly prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:29), so we must judge prophecy to discern truth from error.

1. The basis for judging prophecies:

a. Is it in harmony with the written Word of God (Galatians 1:8)?

b. Does it come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:20–22)? It must be 100% accurate (1 John 4:1–6). c. What does it teach about Jesus Christ and salvation?

IV. Speaking a Prophecy

A. Prophecy usually comes to us as a thought or a thought pattern. Sometimes only one sentence comes until we have spoken it, and then the rest of the prophecy flows forth. We need to take the first step by faith.

B. God reveals His will and plans for us through prophecy, so it is a useful gift in the church.