Holy Spirit lesson eight (spiritual gifts part three)

Prophecy

1 Corinthians 12.1-11 “1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each individually as he wills.

1. Regarding spiritual gifts, unity, diversity, and interdependence are essential.

These are clearly modeled by the Godhead for believers.

A. Father, Son, Holy Spirit are one- Unity

B. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct from one another. Sometimes they have different roles-Diversity

C. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rely on each other to accomplish all things.-Interdependence.

In the same fashion, believers are one with each other, different from each other, and depend on each other.

2. What is prophecy?

A. A divine utterance

B. Word’s from God spoken under the inspiration of the Spirit.

C. Spoken revelation from God that cannot be discovered by human intellect.

D. Sometimes contains events about the future.

E. Spirit infused preaching.

G. Sometimes takes place in the form of visions and dreams. (need God to interpret)

H. People sometimes performed prophetic actions.

3. What are other words in this passage that are from the same prophecy family tree.

A. Word of wisdom. (Characterized by or full of)

B. Word of knowledge (Characterized by or full of)

C. Interpretation of tongues.

4. What prophecy is not.

A. It is not a new revelation apart from scripture.

B. It is not an addition to scripture.

C. It is not exempt from scrutiny, discernment, and judgement.

5. The need for discernment.

1 Thes 5 19-22 “19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.”

1 Cor 14 29 “29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.”

6. What is discernment of spirits, and how does it tie into prophecy?

A. Insight given to individuals to determine if the words that are spoken are from God.

B. Insight given to individuals to determine if other spiritual gift in operation are from God.

C. Insight given to individuals to determine anything that is done that is said to be spiritual is truly a manifestation of the Spirit.

7. Why is prophecy listed as the most important ?

Because out of all the other gifts, it is used exclusively to build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14.1-5 “1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 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.”