The Prophet’s Authority

Are there really prophets in the Church? And if there are prophets in the Church, do they have authority in the Church? And if prophets have authority in the Church, what does that authority look like? I think those questions are important questions to ask and answer. Unfortunately, there is generally silence on those questions among leaders. In that kind of silence, uncertainty sets in. Where there’s uncertainty like that, it’s impossible to have faith in what God has established. As such, I believe it’s vital for the Church to understand the prophet’s authority: what that authority looks like and how that prophetic authority should function. We must have clear understanding, discernment, and communication about these areas. Hence, my post.

Now, this post isn’t meant to be conclusive or fully present the theology behind the prophet’s authority. No, it’d be impossible within a short post to present fully an argument for the prophet’s authority. So, my goal through this post is to spark conversation and discussion. I think Church leaders need to think on these matters, ask questions, and seek solutions. Yes, we need real world, practical solutions that can benefit the entire body of Christ. And the degree we are out of alignment with scripture, is the degree we are out of alignment with God. Which begs the following question posed by scripture: how “[c]an two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3, KJV.  The answer: they can’t.

Aligning with God in what He’s revealed is absolutely essential to the function of the Church. The degree that we are out of alignment with Him in how He has designed the Church to function is the degree that we, the Church, are out of order. When the Church is out of order it doesn’t work the way it was intended to work by the One who created it. God designed His Church to function His way under the leadership and authority of His Son. Jesus sent His Spirit and set gifts in the Church to establish His leadership structure. Among those gifts that He set in the Church is the ministry office of the prophet. The fact that prophets are set in the Church means they have been given authority by Christ to function as part of the headship ministry of Christ to the Church within the Church. 

Ultimately, as Jesus is Lord of the Church, the Holy Spirit is Lord within the Church. Jesus establishes His will in His Church by and through His Spirit. And as happened in Antioch, when prophets and teachers fast and pray, the Holy Spirit will speak. In Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2, Berean Standard Bible. Notice, it was the Holy Spirit who spoke. And, it was the Holy Spirit who established the apostles Barnabas and Saul for their apostolic work. Apart from the choosing of Matthias, the only leaders shown in the scriptures to set apostles in the Church were prophets and teachers working together in the ministry. 

“If scripture, and scripture alone, is the basis for theology, shouldn’t our actions be based upon scripture and not just our beliefs?”—Scott Wallis 

Prophets must be important if they are entrusted with that kind of authority. Prophets must be both necessary and needed if they have been given that kind of authority. Prophets must be a vital, vibrant part of the Church if they are given that level of authority. And that begs the question: if prophets truly have that kind of authority in the Church, why then are they not recognized by the Church as having that kind of authority? I think we need a radical readjustment in our theology to bring it into conformity with scripture. If scripture, and scripture alone, is the basis for theology, shouldn’t our actions be based upon scripture and not just our beliefs? I think we’ve demonstrated with our actions what we believe about prophets — they just prophesy. But then we say, let them do it over there, let it not interfere with the business of the church, let us use them to get what we want, and then let us cast them aside. Yikes!

For years, that’s what I saw. I saw unscriptural teachings and actions regarding prophets. First, prophets were only good for prophesying over people. Then, according to other leaders, prophets couldn’t really be trusted as leaders in the Church because they don’t think like leaders are supposed to think. Then, if prophets don’t join us, let’s isolate and separate them. Then, and this was worse, let’s cut off their supply. In essence, if prophets expect any financial compensation for the work of ministry, they’re false prophets is the accusation used to hold them in bondage. As prophet Kenneth Hagin, Sr. used to say the actions of the Church demonstrated regarding pastors in his era: “God, you keep them humble, and we’ll keep them broke.” And yes, that same spirit (not the Holy Spirit) still operates in the Church. Now, prophets are its target.

Prophets are still its target. How? Unscriptural teaching. As I read it, there are only three where apostles are recorded as being ordained: 1) Jesus ordaining the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, 2) the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb ordaining Judas’s replacement, and 3) In Antioch, “certain prophets and teachers”, Acts 13:1, who after “worshiping the Lord and fasting”, Acts 13:2, “laid their hands on them [Barnabus and Saul (aka Paul)] and sent them on their way.” Acts 13:3. Interestingly, the Church’s ministry to the world was founded by prophets and teachers sending an apostolic team to the nations under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Or put more simply, prophets and teachers working together ordained apostles who were sent from Antioch to reach the world. 

That means, prophets were and are instrumental to the foundation of the Church. Today, we have some teachers. Rarely, do we have any prophets actually functioning in their prophetic office or authority. Is it possible that’s why we see so little fruitful ministry? Further, is that one reason we see so much fleshly conduct in the Church (envying, strife, debate, deceit, greed, lust, abuse, etc.)? I think we all know the answer to those questions — a resounding yes! And that should cause us to ask: Where are those prophets in our midst and how are we supporting them in their role as prophets? 

In truth, the Church and its leaders (predominantly, pastors or individuals actually walking in the gifts of “governments” and not genuine apostolic ministry) have rarely allowed prophets to function in their prophetic authority in the Church. As such, have been forced to move outside the Church to survive and function in their prophetic authority. Gradually, that has changed slightly. Still, whole swaths teach subjection and submission of prophets but never on their authority. Why? In truth, leaders often want to avoid prophets for prophets can sometimes force conversations on the accountability among leaders that the Church desperately needs. That’s one of the reasons we lack accountability in the Church — the absence of the prophet’s authority. 

We’ve become comfortable with prophecy in the Church. We’ve become comfortable with personal prophecy. Yet we still remain skeptical of the role of the prophet in the Church. And we teach against the prophet’s authority in the Church. Which, as I have shown, is scriptural and Biblically authoritative. As such, let me ask, Who’s out of order — the prophet seeking to function in their role or the Church who refuses to let them do so? Some might say, Why provoke this conversation? Me, I think this exact conversation has been a long time coming. 

For years, I’ve seen prophets (good friends and fellow ministers) who’ve been excluded, berated, and, at times, subjugated, used, and, at times, abused, by other leaders in the Church. I’ve seen them suffer and struggle while still pouring out in ministry to many churches and believers hours in prophetic ministry only to be sent home empty handed. How can this be healthy? That’s right! It’s not! Nevertheless, that’s what we’ve come to want prophets to do — bear the burden of their prophetic ministry to our churches. How can that be healthy? It’s not! What should the Church and its leaders do? Repent! 

Truth is, we need prophets functioning in their God given authority in the Church. And that requires the recognition by the Church of the existence of the prophet’s role in the Church and the prophet’s authority in the Church. For the Church to move forward into its next phase, prophets will be needed. And unless we, the Church, recognize them, we will miss the move of God. God’s moves always begin with His prophets, for, as the prophet Amos says, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7. 

Truth is, prophets have authority in the Church whether we recognize it or not. Jesus gave them authority by placing His words in their mouths. It’s those words that make them so important to the Church. And it’s why we need a restoration in our understanding of the role and authority of prophets to the Church. In truth, it’s a conversation that’s long overdue. And God is the One determining where the conversation heads next and not man. What Jesus said is still relevant today: “the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’” Luke 11:49, ESV. That’s what’s next on God’s agenda. What’s next on yours?

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis