The actual word "preaching" is not listed as a spiritual gift in the Bible.
There is a difference between the "grace" of Prophecy, which all believers have and should be exercising in their lives, and the "gift" of Prophecy, which is a special gift given to certain believers. The bottom line is whenever you are speaking about Jesus, you are prophesying, but it may not be a spiritual gift. Revelation 19:10: . . . "for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." It may be the overall "grace" God has given to each Christian to testify about Jesus. Ideally, all believers should know God's Word well enough to be able to challenge others to conform to His standards. Of course, we know not everyone does, but the command from God to share our faith and the potential to do so is there nevertheless.
1. Motivational Gifts in Romans 12:6-8--categorized as a variety of gifts in I Corinthians 12:4. "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
2. Ministry Gifts in Ephesians 4:11-12 and I Corinthians 2:28--categorized as different administrations in I Corinthians 12:5. "There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord."
3. Manifestational Gifts in I Corinthians 12:8-10--categorized as different operations in I Corinthians 2:6. "There are diversities of operations, but the same God who works all things in all persons." Prophecy shows up in all three lists. The definitions are a little different because the functions are different.
Definition #1: Prophecy: A strong motivation to call people to conform to God's standards. As a Motivational gift, Romans 12:6 tells us this gift is exercised "According to the proportion of our faith." Many Christian leaders refer to the list of gifts in Romans as being motivational spiritual gifts, because I Peter 4:10 says "As every man has received the gift, employ it in serving one another . . ." Peter elaborates a little more about the vocal gifts in v. 11. "If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God . . ."
Because of the different ways the same gift may function, a person with the Motivational gift of Prophecy may never demonstrate this gift as defined in #2 and #3 and that's OK. God gives the gifts as He sees fit.
Definition #2: As a Ministry gift, Prophecy is a formal role or office within the church. People exercising this gift are often called prophets (See Ephesians 4:11 and I Corinthians 12:28-29). The gifts in these passages are referred to as ministry gifts because Ephesians 4:12 says they are used "for the work of the ministry." A prophet is defined as an individual who is recognized by local, national or international churches as either foretelling or mightily speaking forth God's Word by calling people to conform to God's standards.
Certainly throughout Acts, Peter and Paul displayed the gift of Prophecy in various ways. Though they both knew the Old Testament and God's nature, they spoke spontaneously from God's heart and mind whatever it was God wanted that particular audience or individual to hear, resulting in prophetic utterances. Yet the Apostles were also motivated by the Holy Spirit to formally write down the Word, and they were always using this gift of Prophecy in the work of the ministry. I hope this is clear and makes sense.
I believe my calling is to help Christians identify and experience all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. By discovering and experiencing your gifts, you will encounter indescribable joy in your walk as God surprises you when you least expect it.
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At the end of my life when I enter eternity with Jesus, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived God’s Word in a balanced manner, integrating the spiritual with the practical.
What do you want your legacy to be?
Victoria Harr Victoria@GrandmothersLegacy.com