Prophecy

Prophecy, according to Paul, is something that he wanted everyone to do. The reason? It builds up the church. So I do believe that anyone born again, having received the quacking of the HS, can prophecy. However, not everything that crosses our minds is prophecy. The Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy, but that requires that the believer has discernment. He must know the voice of Jesus, and not be fooled by the voice of another. So in my experience, the prophetic gift must be developed. One must learn to test the word of prophecy first of all by its harmony with the scriptures. Second, does it resonate with the other prophets? Third, does it build up the church? Indeed, there are times when the prophet will say something negative (Agabus) and he might not get it exactly right (Paul was bound by Roman chains instead) but the thrust of it is again building up the assembly. And the word, once given, must never be interpreted naturally. (Paul knew that the LORD had called him to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome, so he was not dissuaded.). But what affect must have been upon the Caesarean Church once the word began to be fulfilled, albeit not the way the would have wished? In the end, Paul gives his testimony to some powerful people, and clearly leaves them very uncomfortable. So if saints can learn to submit their words to the authority of Scripture, and to the other saints, and don't make a false understanding of what is otherwise a valid word, Prophecy has its place in the church.