Lesson 1: Understanding the Prophetic Office
“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
At a glance
- Every believer can prophesy, but not every believer stands in the office of a prophet.
- The prophet hears God and speaks His heart to His people.
- Prophets confront sin and call out what is blocking the church.
- They root out and pull down, and then build and plant.
- The prophetic office is about God’s voice, not the prophet’s platform.
1. The gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet
On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel: “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17). Paul encouraged the whole church, “You can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31).
But Paul also asked, “Are all prophets?” (1 Corinthians 12:29). The answer is no. Christ gave some to be prophets (Ephesians 4:11).
| Gift of prophecy | Office of the prophet | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Available to all believers (1 Corinthians 14:1) | Given to some by Christ (Ephesians 4:11) |
| Purpose | Edification, exhortation, comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3) | Equipping the church, direction, correction, and foundation (Ephesians 2:20; 4:12) |
| Scope | Usually encouraging and personal | Can include warning, direction for leaders, churches, cities, and nations |
| Weight | Lighter responsibility | Greater responsibility and accountability |
In summary:
- Every believer can prophesy.
- The office of the prophet is a calling given to some.
- The office carries greater weight and responsibility.
2. The prophet speaks God’s heart
God told Moses, “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you… and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him” (Deuteronomy 18:18). The prophet is a mouthpiece for God.
Peter wrote, “Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
The prophet’s job is not to share opinions, but to say what God is saying, and only what He is saying.
In summary:
- The prophet speaks for God.
- True prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit, not human will.
- Say what God says, no more and no less.
3. Confronting sin and what blocks the church
The prophet comes in and drives sin out of the church, calling out the very thing that is blocking it.
Scripture shows this again and again:
- Nathan confronted King David after his sin with Bathsheba: “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). David repented (Psalm 51).
- Samuel told Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
- Elijah called Israel to choose: “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).
- John the Baptist called for repentance to prepare the way of the Lord (Matthew 3:1–3).
God told Isaiah, “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression” (Isaiah 58:1).
The purpose is always restoration. Nathan’s confrontation led to David’s repentance and restoration.
In summary:
- Prophets confront sin and expose what blocks the church.
- They call God’s people back to obedience.
- The goal is repentance and restoration.
4. Root out, then build and plant
God set Jeremiah “over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).
Notice the order:
- Four words to remove: root out, pull down, destroy, throw down
- Two words to establish: build and plant
Prophets clear out what does not belong so that what God wants can grow. But the assignment does not end with tearing down. It ends with building and planting.
In summary:
- Prophets remove what hinders God’s purposes.
- Then they help build and plant what He wants.
- A true prophetic ministry always aims to build.
5. Other functions of the prophet
- Watching and warning: “I have made you a watchman” (Ezekiel 33:7). See Lesson 5.
- Foundation with apostles: The Church is built on the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20). Prophets give direction, and apostles execute it.
- Foretelling: Agabus foretold a famine so the church could prepare (Acts 11:28–30).
- Strengthening the church: Judas and Silas, “being prophets also themselves, exhorted and strengthened the brethren” (Acts 15:32).
- Commissioning: Prophets and teachers in Antioch helped send out Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:1–3).
In summary:
- Prophets watch, warn, foretell, strengthen, and help send.
- They work alongside apostles to lay foundations.
6. Voice, not platform
John the Baptist was a great prophet, but he said, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness’” (John 1:23) and “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
The prophet is a voice pointing to Jesus. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
In summary:
- The prophet is a voice, not the message.
- True prophecy points to Jesus.
- He must increase; the prophet must decrease.
Practical steps this week
- Read Jeremiah 1 and ask God what He is calling you to root out and to build.
- Write down what you sense God is saying to His Church in this season.
- Test your heart: Are you seeking His voice or a platform?
- Talk with a mature leader about your sense of prophetic calling.
Key takeaways
- All can prophesy, but the office of the prophet is given to some.
- The prophet speaks only what God says.
- Prophets confront sin and call out what blocks the church.
- They root out and pull down, then build and plant.
- The prophet is a voice pointing to Jesus.
Reflect
- Do I understand the difference between prophesying and the prophetic office?
- Am I willing to speak hard truth when God asks me to?
- Does my ministry point people to Jesus or to me?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that You still speak to Your people. Make me a faithful voice for You. Give me courage to confront what blocks Your Church and wisdom to build and plant what You desire. Keep my heart humble, so that You increase and I decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.