John Eckhardt - God Still Speaks: How to Hear and Receive Revelation from God for Your Family, Church, and Community

Chapter Eight
Corporate Prophecy in the Local Church

Corporate prophecy is important to build strong local assemblies. God edifies, exhorts, and comforts local churches through corporate prophecy. Paul wrote to the assembly at Corinth to give them proper instruction concerning prophecy:

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:45

Paul was writing because as an apostle, he had a concern for the well-being of the local church. He desired to see the church built up and edified in every way, and that would include through prophecy.

Although today there seems to be much emphasis on personal prophecy, it is important for local churches to allow prophets to speak to the entire congregation as well. This is one of the ways God desires to bless and build up the local body of Christ. Churches that allow the voice of the Lord to be heard will be blessed.

It is important to give proper instruction to the local body of believers so that prophets will be able to flow in prophecy in an orderly manner. Otherwise, confusion will result.

Perhaps the biggest misconception people have about the prophetic ministry is that prophecy should be ministered in a judgmental or condemning tone of voice, as a rebuke. While some prophecies may in fact speak of judgment, this tone should be reserved for the mature prophets who function in the office of the prophet and for those who are recognized elders in the assembly. There are times when God wants to bring a word of correction to an assembly, but the majority of prophecies given to the corporate body should be given for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER

In the apostle Pauls first letter to the church in the city of Corinth, he gave them advice about how corporate prophecy should be delivered:

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:2933, 37, 3940

Pauls basic assumption was that corporate prophecy would happen on a regular basis. Therefore, it needed to be regulated so that it would contribute to edification rather than to confusion.

The early church did not have microphones or sound systems, and it appears that at times too many prophets, caught up in the spirit of prophecy, were interrupting each other in an effort to be heard. In our day and age, with the large size of many of our churches as well as the concern for maturity in those who utter prophetic words in front of the entire assembly, it is necessary to add some more advice.

For example, someone who wants to prophesy might be required to come to one of the leaders to request a microphone. What other considerations should be addressed?

Music, worship, and prophecy

As we gather together in worship, we should expect to hear the word of the Lord. Prophecy can be spokenor it can be sung:

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:15

As I mentioned earlier in the book, the primary Hebrew word for prophecy is naba, meaning to prophesy, to speak or sing by inspiration, to boil up, to gush forth, and to praise God while under divine influence.

Worship can cause the spirit of prophecy to be released (Rev. 19:10). As worship arises, you will see new songs and prophetic words begin to gush forth as the spirit of prophecy becomes strong in the assembly.

Besides being important to initiate a strong prophetic flow, music is very important to maintain it. Musicians help set the tone and atmosphere for worship. In addition, musicians can prophesy with their instruments. All of the musicians in the tabernacle of David were prophetic:

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:

All these were the sons of Heman the kings seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn.

1 CHRONICLES 25:15

Submissive and teachable in spirit

As they minister spiritual gifts, it is extremely important for all of the saints in the local assembly to truly maintain a submissive and teachable spirit toward their pastor and their local leadership. The pastors and other leaders have been given the responsibility to be shepherds for both the people in the body and for those who are ministering in their gifts.

Input and correction given by those in authority should be eagerly received by saints, who should desire to manifest their ministry in a way that will compliment the philosophy of the local church. No prophetic team member should ever assume that he or she does not need to receive direction or correction from the pastor. (See Proverbs 12:15.)

We are all humans who are fallible and subject to error, so at some point in time while ministering, every one of us will make mistakes. Sometimes we will be aware that we have erred, but not always. Therefore, it is important to decide beforehand to be open and willing to be corrected by those over us. It is equally important for those who have been set over the congregation to exercise their authority, not to shrink back from issuing rebukes if necessary.

Those who prophesy should endeavor to present any revelation as clearly and concisely as possible.

When you make a mistake in the content or delivery of a public prophetic word, it is at these times in particular that your pastor can save your life. Remember that you are a member of a prophetic team, not a lone ranger, and that each one of us is only going to receive a partial revelation. At the same time, your pastor is responsible for the overall vision and the many functions of the local church.

Just because someone has a gift of prophecy, or even holds the office of the prophet in the local church, that never means that the person can supersede his or her local pastor.

Do not go too long

A common complaint among pastors is that many people go too long when they prophesy or minister spiritual gifts in the church. Prophets deliver elaborate wordsas long as whole sermons at times.

While it is true that prophesying is like preaching in the sense that both have truth to present, it is equally true that a complicated or too-lengthy presentation can be dull or can deaden the effect of that truth.