Why Do People Speak in The First Person When They Prophesy?
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Throughout the church age prophesy has caused some confusion in the body of Christ
Some churches today believe that Prophesy and a prepared sermon are the same thing
Some churches believe that prophesy no longer exist outside the time of the original apostles or now that the canon of scripture has been closed
But is this what the bible says
One thing that is very important when we are developing sound doctrine and what we believe is to examine what God’s word says
God has given us His word as a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet
God’s word is our standard of truth and is to dictate how we conduct ourselves individually as well as corporately
Today we will look at the question: Why does a person speak in the first person when they prophesy?
Some think it strange that if a person is speaking for the Lord they would speak in the first person
But as we will see from scripture that when individuals have prophesied they have spoken for the Lord
They have been used as God’s mouth piece to his people
But it is also important to understand that prophecy under the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are different
One of the major differences is those who prophesied under the Old Covenant were prophesying actual scripture
Today we have many books known as the major and minor prophets that gives us a record of what the Lord said and is also included in the canon of scripture
For those of you who don’t know what the word canon means it means The term “canon” comes from the Greek word κανών (kanōn), which refers to an instrument used as a measuring rod in architecture. The word came to pertain to a rule, norm, or criterion by which to measure the worth, truth, and moral value of an idea. In the context of sacred writings, it refers to a collection of works regarded as normative for belief and practice.
The Canon of scripture includes the books found in the bible from Genesis to Revelation
Today since the canon of scripture is closed anyone who would prophesy would not be speaking new scripture
They would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to prophesy but as we see from 1 Cor 14:29
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
All prophecy that takes place now in a public setting must be judged and examined
It is important to understand just because someone gives a word public and even says thus saith the Lord doesn’t mean it is truly from the Holy Spirit
This is why discernment is so very key
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.
You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
In verse 10 speaks about prophecy
Now this list found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is not the exhaustive list of spiritual gifts
But we find that prophecy is one of the nine gifts mentioned here
One of the important things to understand about any spiritual gift is God does not want us to be ignorant or unaward
There are a variety of gifts but they all come from the Holy Spirit
There are a variety of Ministries but they again all come from the Holy Spirit
They are for the common good of all in the body of Christ
They are never meant to make a superstar out of anyone or bring attention to an individual
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to edify the body of Christ and advance God’s kingdom on the earth
The apostle Paul writes these words in 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Paul begins by telling us to pursue love
In the previous chapter Paul said this concerning love in verse 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Love is the key when operating in spiritual gifts
When love is the driving force of all that we do the focus will be on glorifying Jesus
We will not be self seeking or looking to make a name for ourselves
Again the ability to prophesy comes from the Holy Spirit
It is not some power an individual wields
How we truly walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit is living surrendered to the work and person of the Holy Spirit
Paul tells us that we should strive or desire earnestly spiritual gifts
We should not be afraid of them
Paul tells us the purpose of prophesy is for the edification, exhortation, and consolation of fellow believers
The purposes of prophecy is to strengthen the church
To invite believers to greater intimacy with God
To speak comfort in the times of great difficulty
Often as believers it can be difficult to see and understand what God is doing in a time of great difficulty
But a timely prophetic word can bring greater encouragement and strength to believers
Paul says that his desire was that all would speak in tongues, but even more that all would prophecy
Paul understood the value of prophecy
Because it edifies and strengthens the church
Many today in the body of Christ have little to no understanding of spiritual gifts
Satan has made it his chief aim to rob people of the truth
Especially the body of Christ of the vital truths of God’s word
But the Question was asked: Why does a person speak in the first person when they prophesy?
I believe it is important to look at some examples from the prophets of old
For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the Lord, and there is none else.
“I have not spoken in secret, In some dark land; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a waste place’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, Declaring things that are upright.
“But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb;
Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
we are told in 2 Peter 1:21
for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
It is the Holy Spirit who moves on an individual when they speak
The one who is prophesying becomes a mouth piece of Almighty God
Paul tells us that we are to judge all prophecy
If someone claims to have a prophetic word but it contradicts the word of God then we know it is not of the Lord
But when hearing any word of prophecy we must use discernment
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
again just because someone claims to speak for God doesn’t mean that individual is representing the Lord
Discernment is key at this time and we must pray and seek the Holy Spirit for discernment
One of the major points as Paul is speaking about both prophecy and tongues in chapter 14 is the importance of orderly worship
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:32
and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
Paul writes this because some will claim they have no control, but have to speak what God has given them
But this is unbiblical
If a person is truly operating in any gift of the Holy Spirit, the individual will fully be in control
The Holy Spirit never comes upon anyone and forces them to do anything
God has given us a freewill and when we operate in the gifts of the Spirit we are working in connection with the Holy Spirit
He is leading and we are following
We also know that at most during a corporate worship time that at the most three prophetic words are to be given
Paul writes in verses 29-31: Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
Everything that is inspired by the Lord and led by the Holy Spirit will be done in order
I have seen some strange things in my life that people claimed was of God
But it was simply them acting in the flesh
Paul tells us in verse 39 to desire earnestly to prophesy
But he makes it clear that all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner
When we examine what Paul has written we see that we should not be ignorant of spiritual gifts
We should earnestly desire spiritual gifts
The reason I believe Paul used chapter fourteen to focus on prophecy and tongues is because both of them are speaking gifts in a public setting
Both of them if not done properly and in order can bring great disruption into the corporate meeting
Many churches today have thrown the baby out with the bath water
They have seen people abuse spiritual gifts and say it is of God and therefore not having to deal with any issues have developed the attitude we are not going to speak against it but we are not going to teach on it
But if the leader and pastor of a church fails to properly teach on any of the spiritual gifts, those who shepherds and leads will fail to understand how to walk in the precious and beautiful gifts the Holy Spirit has given to the body of Christ
There are some today who have claimed the title prophet
They do this because the believe it carries with it authority and influence and sadly some have simply used this to make money for themselves and build their own kingdom
But the gift of prophecy is very important to the body of Christ
Again in 1 Corinthians 14:5
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Paul says this because he understands the corporate benefit of prophecy
Those who prophesy are fully in control
The spirit is subject to the prophet
Those who prophecy are led and guided by the Spirit of the Lord as they speak
The question is when should it happen in a public service
As a pastor I know from studying God’s word that all things are to be done decently and in order
What I have found is there is a natural break between the end of worship and before the preaching of God’s word begins
It creates a space where words can be given
If this is a gift that you feel you have I would encourage you to reach out to me as a pastor