PROPHECY GUIDELINES | SPEAK UNDER PASTORAL LEADERSHIP SUPERVISION

1. Prophecy Guidelines

a) Here are some guidelines that many churches and ministries have found to be helpful in encouraging believers to move in this gift of prophecy - including prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, and tongues and interpretation of tongues - in local fellowships.

b) The following principles for delivering and responding to personal prophecy in the local church have been adopted by many Bible believing Christian fellowships and ministries worldwide. These guidelines are merely suggestions for the operation of prophetic ministry within a local church or ministry, and should be weighed against Scripture.

c) With all we know from the Scripture about the gifts of the Spirit, we have to keep in mind that no prophetic utterance takes priority over the ministry of the Word of God itself. Prophecy must not displace preaching. People cannot live by “inspirationalism,” but only by the bread of God, the Word.

d) God has given to the church apostles, teachers, pastors, and evangelists - as well as prophets - to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-13). The gifts of the Spirit are complementary to the Word.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

2. Speak under Pastoral Leadership Supervision

a) By giving personal prophetic words under the supervision of the pastoral leadership, a witness can be given by those who are spiritually mature. Again, Paul gives instruction in this area to the church at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 14:29-31 (NKJV)
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

b) A recognized leader in the church or ministry should be present during any personal prophetic ministry to judge and to give input into the word. If this type of leader is not present it is advisable to have the believer write out the prophetic word give it to such a leader for input before it is given to the recipient.

c) If a pastor or mature leader asks someone to refrain from prophesying for whatever reason, that request should be honored. Why?

1 Corinthians 14:32 (NKJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

d) All things should be done decently and in order. 

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV)
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.