But notice in Acts 13:2, the Scripture doesn't say that the Holy Ghost just witnessed to the
disciples' spirits about separating Barnabas and Saul unto the ministry. It says the Holy Ghost
said something. He said ". . . Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them" ( Acts 13:2).
The Holy Ghost said something through one of the prophets because it is through this ministry
gift, the office of the prophet — those who are especially equipped with certain revelation and
utterance gifts — that the Holy Ghost normally speaks. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit leads by an
inward witness, which every believer has (Rom. 8:14).
Notice something else in this passage. This wasn't when Barnabas and Saul were called to the
ministry; they had already received the call to the ministry because the Holy Spirit said, ". . . for
the work whereunto I HAVE CALLED THEM" (v...forthe. 2). That's past tense.
Therefore, Barnabas and Saul had already received the call to the ministry from God in their
own private lives. In other words, they weren't receiving their call to the ministry through a .
The Holy Spirit was merely confirming that call through a prophet.
Caution Needed With Personal Prophecies
Let me stress that we need to be very careful about personal prophecies. Lives have been
ruined and many unfortunate things have happened through misuse of personal prophecies.
I have to be very careful myself because God uses me from time to time prophetically in this
way. But over the years I have seen so much error in the area of personal prophecy that it
almost makes a person want to draw back from the genuine prophetic ministry. I have to watch
myself in order not to pull back too far the other way and not yield to the Spirit of God to be
used the way He wants to use me.
Simple Prophecy Edifies, Exhorts, and Comforts
1 CORINTHIANS 14:3
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edifica(ion, and exhortation, and
comfort.
If we keep in mind the scriptural use of prophecy, we will not get offdoctrinally in this area. The
simple gift of prophecy is given to speak to people super-naturally - to edify the church: ". . . he
that prophesieth edifieth the church" (1 Cor. 14:4).
This gift of prophecy is also given to edify the Church through exhortation. In the Greek, the
word "exhort" in First Corinthians 14:3 means a calling nearer to God or an invitation.
First Corinthians 14:3 also says the gift of prophecy is given to comfort. Much of what some
people call "prophecy" never comforts anyone; rather, it discomforts them.
Therefore, it could not be this bona fide gift of the Spirit in operation because the gift of
prophecy is given for edification, exhortation, and comfort. We might find, however, that the
revelation given forth in a prophet's ministry may sometimes be discomforting because it
sometimes brings with it correction or conviction of sin. But the simple gift of prophecy only
ministers edification, exhortation, and comfort.