Dr. Stuart Pattico

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The Difference between the Gift of Prophecy and the Office of Prophet

4/12/2017

8 Comments

 
The apostle Paul taught that not every believer is a prophet (1 Corinthians 12:19), but also said that all believers can prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:31). What then is the difference between being a believer who can prophesy and being a prophet?   Below I mention three distinctions:

1. As the name “prophet” suggests, prophesying will be the dominant feature of a prophet’s ministry.  To prophesy simply means to speak forth a revelation we have personally received from God (the Greek word literally means to “speak forth”).  Whereas all believers can prophesy, prophecy will not necessarily be the dominant feature of that believer’s ministry (e.g. a teacher may prophesy from time to time, but his or her ministry will be dominated by teaching).  But if they are a prophet, his or her ministry will be dominated by the prophetic!  Prophets are continuously speaking forth revelations that they have received from God (e.g. Acts 11:27-28).

2. The office of prophet is one of the leadership offices in the body of Christ that exists to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Not all believers are called to such a leadership office, but the prophet is.

3. As the office of prophet is a leadership role, I would expect that a resident prophet would usually be one of the preachers in his or her local church (just my opinion based on the logic of my second point above, and my reading of Acts 15:32 where the role of preaching seems to be implied in Judas and Silas’ designation as “prophets”; but notice my word “usually” as opposed to “always” - we can't put God in a box).  Not all believers are called to be preachers.

So, those are three distinctions: their ministry is dominated by the prophetic, the office is a leadership office in the body of Christ, and theirs is often a preaching ministry.   The same cannot be said of all believers (all of whom can prophesy).  But if that it is still not clear, perhaps the following analogy will be useful: we can all cook (I hope!), but that doesn’t mean we are all chefs!  Similarly, we can all evangelize, but that doesn’t mean we all occupy the office of an evangelist.  There is a sense in which we are all “sent”, but we do not all occupy the office of apostle (“apostle” is literally “sent one” in the Greek).  We can all teach one another, but we do not all occupy the office of teacher.  Even so, we can all prophesy, but we are not all prophets (see 1 Corinthians 12:29 and Ephesians 4:11 on this point).

To find out how you can move in the prophetic, click here to read my blog post about how to prophesy.


8 Comments
James Evans
4/21/2017 02:10:53 pm

May I use this research to enlighten a friend between the different of being prophetic and the office of prophet.

Reply
Dr. Stuart Pattico
4/21/2017 03:00:50 pm

Hi James, thanks for your comment. You are more than welcome to use this research. I would simply ask that you acknowledge this site as the source. Every blessing

Reply
Uchendu
8/9/2017 06:23:51 am

What can we learn from the Hebrew Scriptures re: Prophet?

I would like to understand the teachings of Paul in light of the context and understanding he had. His view of prophet and prophesying was deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Father Abraham was called a prophet (I think it's the first mention in the Scriptures)
Moses
Samuel
Nathan
Hosea etc
Perhaps looking into why these men are specifically called Prophets or prophesied will shed light on us as Disciples of King Messiah?

I say this because I often question what is called "prophecy" because it doesn't align with the REST of Scriptures. Even in terms of the topics that are being spoken about from those who claim prophetic utterances

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Edna Hermon
9/8/2017 07:53:48 am

Gm Sir, I was just talking to someone the other day of this very subject and I'm grateful I search for the difference between the two...and yours is great information that I'd like to use. May I use this enlighten study...Simply a deep eye opener that many aren't aware of. Peace n Blessings Sir

Reply
Dr. Stuart Pattico
9/8/2017 07:56:58 am

Hi Edna, thanks for your comment. You are more than welcome to use this blog post. I would simply ask that you acknowledge this site as the source. Every blessing

Reply
Adora Bailly
10/30/2017 08:27:12 pm

Will like to learn more about the prophetic office and it's challenges foe am just going through some will want to know how to get along

Reply
Sascha
12/30/2017 01:00:36 pm

My ability to hear Christ speak to my spirit about others has increased tremendously over the past 3 years. It all began about 6 years ago when I noticed it (or He really caught my attention). It’s now to a point where I will be out in public and when I’m near certain people (whomever He chooses to speak about) He will drop few words into my spirit about them that only they would know about, and it’s usually something painful they’re either going through or have gone through in the past that has pushed them away from Him. My question is though, I’m still trying to figure out what exactly is going on. Does this mean I was meant to walk in the office of a prophetess? Or is it the gift of prophecy? He has also shown me things to come. Like the entire ordeal with North Korea. I was given a vision of that 2 years ago. I’ve seen into the spiritual realm when I was younger, but once I lost my fear of them (knowing Christ would not allow them to harm me) they stopped appearing. I’ve experienced MANY things! And I witness to others nearly on a daily basis, either those He sends me to or those who come to me asking for help. Can you please help me to know for sure my calling??? I was also told I could have received the mantle of a prophet. But I don’t know what the difference is between being a prophet and having the mantle of a prophet. If there is a difference. Thank you for your help! God bless 😁🙏💕

Reply
Dr. Stuart Pattico
2/21/2018 05:01:29 am

Great to hear how God is using you! As I don't know you personally, I cannot comment on what you are called to do. I wouldn't imagine that there is any difference between the mantle of a prophet and the office of a prophet. My advice would be to simply continue to do what you are doing and trust God to make all things clear. Every blessing, Pastor Stuart

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    Dr. Stuart Pattico

    I'm the Senior Pastor of Joy Community Church and the author of several Christians books.  I also run an online Bible school. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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