Praise, Worship, and Other Things – Part 4

When you mention prophecy most immediately picture some old, rough looking guy screaming on a street corner, “Hear ye, hear ye, the word of the Lord!” This may resemble the way prophecy was used in the Old Testament, but it has drastically changed since Jesus came.

New Testament prophetic ministry is very different from the Old Testament prophet. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit “came on” people to empower them to do the Lord’s bidding. After Jesus was crucified, He rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven where He was seated at the right hand of the Father. He then fulfilled His promise to send “another comforter” (John 14:16), the Holy Spirit, to fill the Believer. Since the Day of Pentecost the ministry of the Holy Spirit is no longer external but internal because He abides “in” the believer.

Now we are empowered to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus by the inward presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes some of the workings of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 – 14. He specifically describes New Testament prophetic ministry. “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV) This is the essence of what occurs during our corporate worship.

When we engage in praise (speaking about God) it “builds up” the other Believers in the room. It “encourages” them when we begin to boast about our God and all that He has done. When we sing of Heaven it brings “consolation” to those who have lost loved ones, or who themselves may be facing death.

When we worship, just like the woman with the alabaster box (Matthew 26), it exalts Jesus so everyone is drawn to Him. “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him (the angel), but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.’ For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 (ESV) This, too, is prophetic in nature.

From this you can see a little more about New Testament prophetic ministry. It is in essence speaking a word in due season, in the moment, that brings glory to God and exalts Jesus. When we praise and worship we engage in the prophetic. The end result of our corporate praise and worship should resemble what Paul described in Ephesians. “…  be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-21 (ESV)

Unity is the purpose of New Testament prophetic ministry of the Holy Spirit.