Prophet and gift of prophecy can be distinct

Prophet and gift of prophecy can be distinct


Being a "prophet" may describe a "ministry" (Romans 12:7), which is a distinct gift from "prophecy" (Romans 12:6).

Thus someone could have a gift of prophecy, without having the gift of ministry of being a prophet.

You can find evidence for that below.



"Prophet" may describe a "ministry":

Paul wrote: "there-are DIFFERENCES (of) MINISTRIES [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:5). Here Paul indicated that there are different ministries.

Paul wrote to Timothy: "do (the) work (of an) EVANGELIST, fulfill your MINISTRY [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (2 Timothy 4:5). Paul may have implied that being an evangelist would be a ministry.

Paul wrote: "He gave some (as) APOSTLES, and some (as) PROPHETS, and some (as) EVANGELISTS" (Ephesians 4:11), "for (the) work (of) MINISTRY [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (Ephesians 4:12). Paul listed apostles and prophets alongside evangelists (which would be a ministry) for the work of ministry. Because there are different ministries existing, it may be inferred that apostles and prophets may be different ministries alongside evangelists

Being a prophet would thus be a ministry.



"Prophecy" can be a different gift than "ministry":

Paul wrote about "having DIFFERENT GIFTS according-to the grace having-been-given (to) us, (exercise them accordingly): whether PROPHECY, in-accordance-with the proportion (of your) faith; or MINISTRY [diakonia 1248 in Greek], in the (sphere of your) ministry" (Romans 12:6-7). 
Paul made a distinction between the gift of "PROPHECY" (Romans 12:6) and the gift of "MINISTRY [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (Romans 12:7).

If prophecy is a gift, and ministry is another gift which can include being a "prophet", then having the gift of prophecy and being a prophet can be distinct. 

Someone could thus have a gift of prophecy, without having the gift of ministry of being a "prophet".



"Prophecy" and "prophet":

For more information on the ability to prophesy and being a prophet:

What is to prophesy?:
Click here

What is a prophet/prophetess?:
Click here

One difference between the gift of PROPHECY and being a PROPHET would be that "PROPHETS" (Ephesians 4:11) are given "for the completeness (of) the saints, for (the) work (of) ministry, for (the) building-up (of) the body (of) Christ" (Ephesians 4:12), but people having the gift of PROPHECY may edify others without having to fulfill this work of ministry.



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