The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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The Old Testament prophet primarily proclaimed God’s Word to the people of his day, and
secondarily, predicted future events. This same combination of proclamation and prediction is
what constitutes New Testament prophecy. This is especially evident in the book of Revelation
where the two aspects are completely integrated. It can be argued that the combination of
proclamation and prediction lie at the very heart of all Christian preaching and teaching. For we
are commanded to live like Christ and to proclaim Him to others in the light of His promised
return (i.e. I Jn 3:2-3).
There seems to be some overlapping of certain gifts such as prophecy in the New Testament.
Both apostles and prophets received authoritative revelation from God. Both prophets and
teachers were involved in instruction that evidently included the exposition of Scripture.
Leslie Flynn perceptively points out:
“When we boil it down, prophecy ultimately has to do with Jesus Christ. Old
Testament prophets foretold the coming of Christ. New Testament prophets
centered their messages in the crucified, risen and coming again Lord Jesus.
John wrote in a late chapter of the Bible, ‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). All Scripture points to Christ. He is the sum and substance
of the Old and new Testaments. Prophecy is the Spirit-empowered proclamation
of the Living Word who is the center and circumference of the written Word.” 7
Ministry: Prophets were endowed with revelation, prediction, a word of wisdom, a word of
knowledge with sign ministries (signs, wonders and miracles).
Prophets are to minister in multiples--two or three to prevent error and to prevent selfimportance
(I Cor. 14:29-32). Also there is the powerful prevailing influence of prophets in
numbers.
Warning: Beware of false prophets (Mt. 7:15-20; Mark 13:22; I John 4:11). False prophets
will be prominent in the last days (Mt. 24:11,24).
• A person called “the false prophet” will be prominent in the events of The Great
Tribulation period (Rev. 13:11-17; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
• False prophets do not believe in the incarnation and deity of Jesus Christ (I Jn. 4:1-3).
• False prophets are known by the failure of their prophecies to come true (Deut. 18:22)
• False prophets try to deceive people with miraculous signs (Matt. 7:15; 24:11,24).
• False prophets try to lead people away from obedience to God’s Word (Deut. 13:1-5).