Spiritual Gifts (Class 05) Prophecy, Teaching and Exhortation

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The Gift of Prophecy

Working definition: A Spirit-enabled ability to deliver a timely, specific word from God that strengthens, encourages, warns, and at times condemns the unrepentant.

Purposes & examples

• Strengthen: Isa 41:10.
• Encourage: Heb 10:23–25.
• Warn/admonish: 1 Thess 5:14.
• Condemn the unrepentant in the covenant community: Rom 2:1–5.

Prophet vs. Priest

• Priest: speaks to God on behalf of man (OT: by lineage; NC: Christ our High Priest, 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 4).
• Prophet: speaks to man on behalf of God (e.g., Abraham—Gen 20:7; Moses; Jeremiah).

Ages and types of prophets

• Major/minor refer to length, not importance.
• Pre-exilic, exilic, post-exilic groupings.
• Writing and non-writing prophets (e.g., Elijah/Elisha, Nathan, Gad).

Testing prophetic claims (Deut 13; 18)

1. Accuracy: if it does not come to pass, it’s not from the Lord (Deut 18:22).
2. Fulfillment: realized as declared (e.g., Jeremiah vs. Hananiah, Jer 28).
3. Fidelity to God: even real signs are false if they lead to idolatry (Deut 13:1–5).
   OT penalty for false prophecy: death—because it takes God’s name in vain by leveraging “Thus says the Lord” for deceit (cf. Jer 23).

OT vs NT prophecy

• Some argue NT prophecy can include error (e.g., Grudem’s view, using Agabus in Acts 21).
• The class position emphasized: prophecy should still be held to truthfulness and consistency with Scripture; “Thus says the Lord” claims must not contradict or add to revelation.
• Forthtelling vs. foretelling: most prophetic ministry is forthtelling God’s truth; foretelling occurs but is not the norm.
• Preaching as “prophecy”: Strong overlap—preaching is forthtelling God’s Word to strengthen, encourage, and warn (1 Cor 14 elevates prophecy because it edifies the church). Some (e.g., Schreiner) distinguish preaching and prophecy; we noted the practical equivalence in function (forthtelling) while recognizing preaching expounds already-given revelation.

Pastoral note: We should be cautious about casual “God told me” language and hold all claims under the authority of Scripture.

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The Gift of Teaching

Definition: A Spirit-enabled ability to clearly and faithfully communicate God’s truth in a way that instructs the mind, stirs the heart, and transforms lives.

Key marks

• Grounded in Scripture (2 Tim 2:15).
• Clarity: making complex truths understandable; done with humility and pastoral sensitivity.
• Doctrinal soundness that protects the flock (Tit 1:9; Acts 20:28–30; 2 Pet 2).
• Spiritual maturity & example: speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15; 1 Tim 4).
• Church-edifying aim: gifts are for the body, not personal platform (Eph 4:12).

Qualifications & limits

• Not many should be teachers (stricter judgment, Jas 3:1).
• Preparation matters: don’t “wing it”; labor to handle the Word carefully.
• Women and the gathered church: 1 Tim 2:12—women are not to teach or exercise authority over men in the assembly; they should teach women and children (Tit 2).
• Elders “apt to teach” (1 Tim 3; Titus 1); some churches distinguish teaching vs. ruling elders, but elders must be able to instruct.

Preaching vs. teaching (practical difference)

• Preaching (kērussō): heralding/proclaiming; one-way exhortive proclamation (e.g., Jesus preaching the kingdom).
• Teaching (didaskō): instructional, dialogical, explanatory (e.g., Jesus teaching in the temple).
• In ministry, the two overlap; preaching often includes teaching and vice versa.

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The Gift of Exhortation

Definition: A Spirit-enabled ability to motivate, strengthen, comfort, and urge others toward spiritual growth and faithful living—by word and example.

Biblical frame

• Word family from parakaleō (to come alongside and speak/urge/comfort); cf. the Paraclete (Holy Spirit).
• Shapes: encouragement to persevere (Hebrews—“Jesus is better”; hold fast), comfort in suffering (2 Cor 1:3–5), and motivation to action (Rom 12:1—“I beseech/exhort you…”).

Pastoral practice

• Often expressed in counseling, mentoring, discipleship, and in preaching.
• Requires grace and truth: love without truth is sentimentality; truth without love is harshness (Eph 4:15).
• Exhortation differs with response:
  • Humbled/repentant: restore gently (Gal 6:1).
  • Defiant/unrepentant: warn of danger and press for repentance.

Model: Barnabas—“son of encouragement.”

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Big Takeaways

Exhortation moves truth into action, pressing believers toward holiness with compassion.

Prophecy (as forthtelling) and preaching are central because they build, warn, and steady the church (1 Cor 14; Rom 10:17).

Testing claims is essential: truthfulness, fulfillment, and fidelity to God (Deut 13; 18).

Teaching must be clear, biblical, and loving, guarding the flock and shaping lives.