By Pastor Samuel Namatiiti
The prophetic ministry has existed ever since the time of creation, at the very beginning as recorded in the book of Genesis. The first recorded human speech is witnessed in Eden, when Adam and Eve were joined together as husband and wife. Adam spoke words containing prophetic utterance. The man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’, for she was taken out of man. That is why a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:23–24). Although Bible scholars often attribute verse 24 not directly to Adam but to the Holy Spirit, the main Author of the Holy Bible, the words spoken at that moment declared things yet to come. The speech concerned matters never before witnessed, predicting future realities, and this is what is referred to as prophesying or prophetic utterance.
In the early days, prophets were not referred to by that name, but rather as Sayers, meaning men who declared the mind of God. A well-organised prophetic ministry formally began during the days of Prophet Samuel. Samuel was the most significant figure of his period in Israel’s history. He served as a priest, the last of the judges, the first of the prophets, and he anointed the first and second kings of Israel, King Saul and King David. It was Samuel who also established the schools of the prophets. Office of prophets
This category refers to those who held the prophetic mantle in its fullness, such as those found in the Old Testament. Some of these prophets are referred to as the “Writing Prophets”—those who authored the prophetic books collected in the Bible. These books are divided into two categories: Major and Minor Prophets. The distinction between major and minor prophets is not based on the superiority of their messages, but rather on the volume of their writings. The major prophets wrote longer texts, while the minor prophets’ works are shorter. Nevertheless, all delivered Holy Spirit-inspired messages. Some minor prophets, such as Micah, conveyed particularly powerful and precise prophecies.
However, in Old Testament times, there were also non-writing prophets like Elijah and Elisha, who, though they did not write prophetic books, carried powerful prophetic mantles and performed wonders. In the New Testament, we seldom encounter prophets bearing the same kind of prophetic mantle, though we do see prophetic acts, for example, in Acts 11:27–28 and in Acts 21:11 when Paul was prophesied over concerning what awaited him in Jerusalem.
Edifying prophetic utterance
This falls under what is known as the “Five-Fold Ministry” gifts that Jesus Christ gave to the New Testament Church after the Resurrection.
Ephesians 4:10–12: “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
The New Testament Church prophets are mainly meant to operate within the Five-Fold Ministry team. However, all team members should serve under the leadership of the Senior Pastor of the local church, who himself is part of the team. A prophet is not meant to overrun or dominate fellow ministers. Sadly, the Church of our Lord Jesus has suffered much abuse in this area, with so-called prophets sometimes behaving as if they were superhuman.
The Bible is very clear about this, and Apostle Paul worked extensively to correct such misunderstandings, particularly in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 14:3).
It is also important to understand that speaking in tongues is not the same as bearing a prophetic mantle; rather, it is a spiritual gift primarily for personal edification. Speaking in tongues involves the infilling of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to speak heavenly languages that even Satan does not understand—usually unknown tongues, but occasionally human languages unknown to the speaker. It is truly amazing. Speaking in tongues is for all serious believers who ask and earnestly wait for it from on high.
In Acts 2, when Apostle Peter preached his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost, it says:
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.'” (Acts 2:37–39).
