The Characteristics of a Prophet
By Editorial Staff
Published March 2008
from Last Days Newsletter – by Keith Green
Now with all this talk about misguided, young zealots going around blasting people with the truth minus love, I don’t want to give the impression that God has not called certain people to fulfill the ministry of a prophet. There are many references in the book of Acts concerning people anointed by God to preach with prophetic urgency, (Acts 2:16, 3:22, 8:28,30, 13:20, 21:10-11, 28:25).
These men were called “prophets” by the writer of Acts. And Paul, in his teaching about the Body of Christ, talks about the different offices and callings in the body to help build up, strengthen, and establish the Church (1 Cor. 12:27-30; Rom. 12:4-16; Eph. 4:11-16).
First of all, he would be a CHRISTIAN – he would be like Jesus. Yes, he would hate sin like Jesus, but more importantly, he would love sinners like Jesus! He would not be arrogant, but he would be a broken man who was softened by many nights alone in prayer. He would be loving, kind, and gentle, always seeking to get the truth across in the most direct way, and yet never offending anyone if he could help it.
The prophet, above all, would be a man of God. He would seek to display all the qualities of love found in 1 Corinthians 13. He would not be easily provoked or moody or unduly harsh – but patient, merciful, and slow to anger. He would not seek to be a prophet, nor glory in that position, but just like Gideon, Jeremiah, or Moses, he would ask God to make sure he was the man of His choice before he would speak out against sin and hypocrisy (Judges 6:36-40; Jer. 1:6; Ex. 3:11-12).
Lastly, he would be a broken man, well acquainted with grief and tears. He would have a broken heart over the sin in the world and the worldliness in the Church. Before Jesus made a scourge of cords to whip the moneychangers (when he turned over the merchandise tables in the temple), He first wept and prayed over the straying city of Jerusalem before He entered her gates (Luke 19:41-46).
The prophet, like his Master Jesus, would weep before he whipped, pray before he spoke out, and walk in dread of being in the wrong spirit. For unlike James and John, he would know what spirit he was of.
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Your comments are welcome!
What a blessing! The characteristics of a Prophet. Tears are flowing down my face. “God, we cannot MOVE until your divine instruction and prophetic flow is upon us as you send us Prophets to speak life and rescue believers from sin in a dying world.” God is truly a Deliverer!!!
Blessings
Posted by Prophetess Robin A. Turman on 07/07/2009 11:43 AM #
The characteristics of a prophets should include;
1. Receiving message from God
2. Delivering message received from God faithfully
3.Their message is Biblical
Posted by samson Koity on 03/17/2010 01:22 AM #
Please understand that Jesus didn’t not come to bring Peace but a sword. Matthew 10. He seperates the chaff from the wheat. Jesus DID OFFEND PEOPLE with the Truth and the Word. Prophets will offend people with Truth and the Word. Speaking in truth Offends the “believers” 1 Cor, 2 Cor.
Posted by TAvery1492 on 05/30/2010 04:14 PM #
I was recently asked for help 5-fold ministry from some young ministers in Pakistan. Your response on Prophets is a good foundation. If you do not mind, I would love to share some of it on my Eministry website.
To GOD be the Glory!
Posted by Redeemedxgod on 10/04/2010 04:16 PM #
I thank God for you posting this letter. I have known for a long time that God has used me in this area because the word let’s us know in Ezekiel that we all can prophesy but, not all walk in the office of a prophet. However after coming across this today I now understand why I feel like I do. On this week I lost sleep because my spirit is so grieved at what I see in the household of faith. To God be the glory His word and He is faithful and true.
Posted by Beverly Rickards on 10/15/2011 11:42 AM #
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A prophet would not worship an image, which is what I see most of the christian church guilty of. Thanks
Posted by Jason Wilmes on 03/18/2009 09:49 AM #