A Gift for Today...continued

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophecy

Prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a known language. That is, speaking to people on behalf of God by the inspiration and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to encourage, strengthen and embolden a person and for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church.

W.R. Jones in the book Pentecostal Doctrine in the chapter headed 'The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit' (12) states:

"Prophecy is a supernatural utterance in the known, accepted tongue of the community. At its best, it has no connection with human thought, reasoning, or intellect. It will be seen that this immediately destroys the myth that prophecy is the same as preaching.

Prophecy is inspired utterance not born of intellect or study (Acts 2: 18), while preaching, though it needs to be anointed, is the result of careful, prayerful study of the Word of God. This Scripture also shows that the gift is given by the Holy Spirit to both men and women. It is very clear; too, that prophecy is greater than tongues, unless the speaking with tongues is accompanied by the gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5).

Lest there be any misunderstanding, it must be stated that the gift is not to be taken as superseding the written Word of God or as even equal to it, for, while the Word of God endures for ever (1 Peter 1: 25), prophecy will cease (1 Corinthians 13: 8)."

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