THE BOOK
Prophecy is a powerful gift given by Jesus to the church to help fulfill the Great Commission; it is different from all other gifts because it is the Spirit of Jesus (“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” [Revelation 19:10]). Prophecy is the banner gift that oversees and divinely integrates with other spiritual gifts (often referred to as charismatic gifts), and they are the following:
• words of wisdom
• words of knowledge
• increased faith
• healing
• miracles
• discernment
• discernment of spirits
• diverse tongues
• interpretation of tongues
As well as these gifts, there are also gifts of apostles, prophets, and teachers; helps (these are connected to gifts of mercy and compassion and can be tied to helping the sick and the poor); and the gift of administration and governments (the ability to lead and govern), which is tied to positions in the church (but note that God appoints kings and presidents, etc.). The Holy Spirit is the personage who releases the power of the gifts to build up the church as described in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.
I hope that this book encourages a zeal for all the gifts, callings, and talents that God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—gives to you. We all aspire to bring glory to God through these gifts, so that God—the Father of lights who gives good gifts—can be glorified in a way that brings all people to Christ Jesus.
