Chapter Two—The Prophetic Gift`

The faculty of receiving a revelation from God and imparting it to men, either by speech or in writing, is a divine gift. It is spoken of in the Bible as “the gift of prophecy.” It is one of the gifts of the Spirit conferred upon men for the upbuilding of God’s work on earth.GoPH 16.1

“To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit ; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.GoPH 16.2

These are all “given.” They are “given by the Spirit.” They are, therefore, gifts, “gifts of the Spirit.” “Prophecy” is a gift, and is rightly known as “the gift of prophecy.”GoPH 16.3

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” Romans 12:6.GoPH 16.4

It is plain that to speak of “the gift of prophecy” is to use an entirely Biblical ex-pression. It is used in exactly that form, referring to one of the most valued gifts, in 1 Corinthians 13:2.GoPH 17.1

The word translated “prophecy” in these passages has reference to predicting future events. In addition to that, however, it means to declare the will of heaven, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God.GoPH 17.2

While one important meaning of prophecy is to predict or foretell future events, it must be remembered that those who were called to such work were primarily mouthpieces of God. With such predictions as they were given, they usually connected instructions and exhortations in regard to the sins, the danger, and the duties of men. Hence their office of “prophesying,” and their gift of “prophecy,” came to mean that which in any way communicated to man the will of God, in warning, in threatening, in instructing, in counseling, in admonishing, or in predicting, as well as in expressing devotional sentiments and praise.GoPH 17.3

These gifts of the Spirit are not given to all believers alike. They are distributed in accordance with the will of the Spirit.GoPH 17.4

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” 1 Corinthians 12:11.GoPH 18.1

Conybeare’s translation of this verse reads: “But all these gifts are wrought by the working of that one and the same Spirit, who distributes them to each according to His will.” All the followers of Christ, therefore, do not have the same gift. Each one is endowed as the Spirit decides. He confers on each one that which He sees to be best and wise and helpful. He distributes those gifts as to Him seems best adapted to promote and foster and advance the welfare of the whole church. Not all are apostles. Not all have the gift of prophecy. This is made plain by Paul.GoPH 18.2

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30.GoPH 18.3

These questions imply, with pointed emphasis, that such a thing could not be, and ought not to be, and, in fact, did not exist. It was not true, as a clear matter of fact, that all were equal in relation to these gifts, or that all were qualified for offices which others were given, or that all possessed the same gift. Some were given the gift of apostleship; others were not. Some were given the gift of prophecy; others were not. Some were given the gift of teaching; others were not.GoPH 18.4

The gift of the Spirit, that is, the impartation of the greatest of all gifts, the Holy Spirit, is for all believers. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. Here there is no difference. But in the impartation of the special gifts of the Spirit there is a most decided difference.GoPH 19.1

This question of the distribution of these special and important gifts is presented by Paul with most illuminating clearness. Conybeare gives his statements with exact fidelity to the Greek:GoPH 19.2

“Moreover, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them all; and [they are given for] various ministrations, but all to serve the same Lord; and the working whereby they are wrought is various, but all are wrought in all by the working of the same God. But the gift whereby the Spirit becomes manifest is given to each for the profit of all. To one is given by the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, to another the utterance of knowledge according to the working of the same Spirit. To another faith through the same Spirit. To another gifts of healing through the same Spirit. To another the powers which work miracles; to another prophecy; to another the discernment of Spirit; to another varieties of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-10.GoPH 19.3

Another Biblical expression for this special gift of the Spirit is “the spirit of prophecy.” This is found in the following passage:GoPH 20.1

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, Sec thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.GoPH 20.2

Later in this discussion we shall learn the identity of the speaker in this passage and catch the significance of this expression.GoPH 20.3