Propheticlly Speaking: Prophetic Ministry and the Prophetic Office....Whats the Difference?

Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Ephesians 4:8)

(Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:9)

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:10)

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11)

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:12)

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)




One of the key things that can trip most people up with prophetic giftings is knowing or thinking if they have been called to the office of the Prophet. Just because you have the gift of prophecy does not necessarily mean you have been called to the office. Once you know your place you can flow a lot easier. However, discerning the difference between the office of the Prophet and Prophetic Ministry can sometime be difficult. I will try to explain the difference between the two.

Fist, Prophetic ministry is what you do. For example:
1. word of knowledge: The word of knowledge is related to past and present. This gift allows someone to know information without being previously told.

2. Word of Wisdom: the word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation that is related specifically to the future.

3. Discerning of Spirits: The ability to detect the condition or existence of a spirit.

4. Gift of faith: The Prophet uses this to speak forth both blessings and curses. This gift is used along with the "Prophetic Key." Which we will deal with at another time.

Prophetic ministry is given or performed within the local church (your church or church in your region).

The Office of the Prophet signifies his/her position. Anyone who functions in the office of the Prophet has been appointed by God to function in this office. The Prophets call is not just to the local church but to the universal "Body of Christ." This means that he/she has been given to the Church as a body. His/Her ministry will take them outside of there local church body. This is because their job description is to build up the Body and prepare the bride for the bridegroom. The bible says that when Jesus returns He will present to Himself His bride, spotless and without wrinkle, pure in His sight. It is the Prophets job to bring the Church to a place of perfection, unity, and maturity. Prophets are to instruct the church to speak the truth in love, to live in a place of openness and honesty with one another. This is why the preparation takes so long. Its because we have to be pruned and stripped of everything that could cause us to move outside of the vein of God.

In the next addition of "Propheticlly Speaking" we will discuss the process of moving from Prophetic Ministry to the Prophetic Office.

Be Encouraged!!