The term prophet is often reserved for OT characters like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Jonah. But we can be prophets in our 21st Century world. In our time, we are not called to speak with supernatural knowledge. God desires us to know Him and His will for our lives through the Bible. The Word of God (the Bible) has already been written and translated into thousands of languages worldwide. Our job is to proclaim it - through our conversation and our daily living.
Prophecy is the telling of things to come. Again, this is not hidden knowledge; it is a general revelation open to everyone to hear and repeat. Our goal in this age is to build up the church as a whole. By doing this, the members are ALL edified. The letters from Paul to the many churches around the Mediterranean told them (and us) how we can do just that. The easiest place to read to understand the mission of the church is Philippians 2. Be like-minded - sharing any knowledge, inspiration, strength, etc that you receive. Share it with the church for everyone to be able to grow.
In speaking to the church in Corinth, the members were in a state of discord because of their obsession with their spiritual gifts. Paul responds by confirming the mission here as well. We want to edify the whole church. Yes, some of you will be teachers. Some will be healers. Some will even speak in tongues.
In the 21st Century Western ideology, it is unpopular to create any sort of hierarchy. Every kid gets a trophy. But God and Paul are not confined to our way of thinking. And Paul really spells it out well in these letters.
I Corinthians 12:27-31 - Paul acknowledges the many members of the church body - apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle-workers, healers, helpers, governments, diversity of tongues). And he places more value on the ones he mentions first. Why. Because they are more beneficial to the church as a whole. All these gifts come from God, but Paul never deviates from his mission of building up the church first and foremost. These passages dispel any myth from church denominations teaching that we must all speak in tongues to have the 'full gospel'.
I Corinthians 13 - Here, Paul also diffuses the argument that the gifts of tongues (along with other ornate gifts) should have such a large role in the church. Without emphasis on prophecy and teaching, speaking in tongues is a glitter bomb without an announcement of what we are celebrating. (the edification of the church in this case)
I Corinthians 14 - HERE HERE HERE. In chapters 12 and 13 Paul does well to be an author of INclusion above EXclusion. God is an intentional God. He would not have given anyone the gift of tongues without reason. Paul acknowledges that truth, and He even teaches here when it is appropriate to use. And in the church setting, it is a pretty limited period. And it should be very prayerful. Those who speak in tongues must fervently pray for the words needed to interpret (14:13). The bulk of time in church gathering should be dedicated to prophesying and teaching. Why? Because it builds up the church as a whole (14:12).
Prophecy and teaching are done only as we know the truth. The reason we have so many church denominations is in part due to our lack of scriptural knowledge of the truth.
The truth is that Paul wants the church to be lifted up, not the individual members.
The truth is that all the gifts have their place, in the church and the individual experience.
The truth is that prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit must be the root of the church's actions.
The Pastors and the congregation must pray that only that which is true will be spoken. Peter prophesies about false doctrine that is about to infiltrate the church in II Peter 2. And the book of Jude (v4) acknowledges when they actually have crept into the church.
Only that which the Holy Spirit leads us to say and hear for the enrichment of the whole church.
