The Prophetic Anointing

The Prophetic anointing is one of the five perfecting ministries God gave to men so that Christians may come to spiritual maturity. The simplest definition of a prophet is that he is God’s mouthpiece. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he brings divine direction to the Church, as well as correction where necessary.

The gift of prophecy as opposed to the Prophetic ministry
The Prophetic ministry has often been misunderstood by Christians in recent years. They have tended to focus on only one aspect: manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy, and words of wisdom, or knowledge. However, we need to have a clearer picture of what the Prophetic ministry is and its importance for God's people.
The Apostle Paul encourages us all to desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, though obviously, not every Christian who prophesies is a prophet. We really need to grasp this point, because there are many people today who declare themselves prophets simply because they prophesy. The four daughters of Philip the evangelist were not Prophets, even though they were prophesying (Acts 21: 8-9). The Prophet operates in the spiritual gifts as well, but because of the anointing and authority given by God, he brings much deeper clarity and spiritual insight, which God uses to edify and establish the Church.

The prophetic in the Old Covenant
Under the Old Covenant, one of the main aspects of the Prophet’s ministry was to turn the hearts of God's people back to Him through repentance. In 2 Samuel 12, we read how God specifically chose the prophet Nathan to confront King David over his sin. The prophetic word from Nathan did not condemn David; but rather it produced an attitude of godly sorrow and genuine repentance in him. This facet of God's authority is demonstrated most powerfully through the Prophetic anointing.

The Old Covenant Prophet would warn God’s people in order that they might escape God’s judgement. The prophetic word would come in a very clear and direct way, and would expose the state of their hearts. God anointed the different Prophets to bring an uncompromising message, which came with great conviction and the fear of God. When the Prophet “sounded the trumpet”, the people knew that God was serious about what He had to say. Unfortunately they often hardened their hearts to His word.

The Prophetic in the New Covenant
We need to understand that a true Prophet does not just prophesy good things. In fact, the Prophetic anointing should bring the fear of God into the Church, because it exposes sin and proclaims the way of holiness and sanctification.

In the New Testament we have no better example of the Prophetic ministry than Jesus Himself. In Matthew 3:12, John the Baptist declares: “His winnowing fork is in His hand and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Jesus came preaching a message of repentance, purification, separation and judgement, but always with a heart full of grace and love.
In Matthew 21:12-13, again we see Jesus exhibiting the Prophetic anointing when He found people buying and selling in the temple. His righteous anger was roused and he took a whip and drove the merchants out. Here is an aspect of the Prophetic ministry that is often misunderstood. The Lord was still operating in grace and love, even when he expressed Himself in this way, for it was necessary to confront and rebuke those who were treating the house of God as a marketplace. God chooses to speak in different ways, but His heart never changes. He is a God of love and mercy, but also a God of righteousness and truth, whose holy attributes are expressed here through the Prophetic anointing.

The Prophet is called to do a very specific work of purification in the Church in these last days, because no other ministry is able to accomplish this. Where there is sin a true Prophet will fearlessly declare it: but never out of an authority in the flesh. Thus the Church will not fall under condemnation but will feel the heart of the Lord leading them to repentance. The time is coming when Prophets will bring light where there is darkness and expose the hidden motives of the heart, because the Prophetic anointing brings purification and separation in the hearts of Christians.

The Apostle and the Prophet
Under the New Covenant, we can see another important aspect of the Prophetic anointing from Ephesians 2:20.

It is clear from the lives of Paul and Barnabus that the Prophet works closely with the Apostle to lay the foundation of the Church. These two ministries carry greater authority in the spirit than the other three. The Apostle receives and imparts the revelation of Christ, while the Prophet ensures that the Church remains in truth and sound doctrine.

The Prophet - a member of the body of elders
Men can draw much glory for themselves when God speaks and acts through them. This is why submission and accountability to a team of elders in a local church is a vital protection against the misuse of the Prophetic anointing. Contrary to what we are used to seeing in the Church today, Prophets are meant to form part of the local church leadership and be sent from there, like any other ministry. In Acts 15, we read how the Prophets, Judas and Silas, were sent from the church of Jerusalem to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch. If a man is not linked to a team, but has his own independent ministry, he can hide behind his calling and act on his own authority. He can say whatever he wants, and there is no one to speak into his life. But when a Prophet is part of a team, he is accountable for what he says and how he acts. He will accept rebuke and confrontation in truth and grace. His life will be an open book to the elders of the church and the people of God.

True or false Prophet?
The Bible warns us clearly that there will be many false prophets in the last days who will lead people astray by appealing to the desires of their sinful nature. But God is also raising up true Prophets who will be examples for the Church; and the anointing on their lives will bring greater protection to Christians’ lives. They will not be full of pride and arrogance trusting in their own ability. Instead, they will be humble, with broken spirits and contrite hearts, prepared to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus. They will be known by their identification with His sufferings and His death, and will carry the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. The time of independent ministries is over, for God is bringing order back to His Church through the Prophetic anointing in these last days.

Miki Hardy is the founder of Church Team Ministries International (CTMI). He is Pastor and member of the body of Elders of Eglise Chrétienne in Mauritius. www.ctminetwork.org

Peter McKenzie: A Personal Testimony

From early on in my Christian life, it was clear that the Lord wanted to use me in the Prophetic ministry. Soon I found myself, as a minister, travelling to churches in different countries and experiencing amazing prophetic manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The blessing of this ministry was clear to many, but I was alone and vulnerable! Through the grace of the Lord I met Miki Hardy and the Apostolic anointing on his life confronted my independence and pride. I surrendered my one-man ministry and submitted my life to that anointing. The Prophetic anointing is still very much a part of my life and ministry today, but I now work with a team to which I'm accountable. My life is an open book to these men of God. I feel safe and secure, but still have the freedom to move in the Prophetic anointing. My joy today is to see that I am contributing, with the other ministries, to bringing Christians in the local churches to spiritual maturity.

Peter McKenzie is Pastor of Avon River Church in Ringwood, UK. He is a member of the apostolic team of CTMI.