 Good morning everyone. Thank you for connecting to this course on apostolic and prophetic ministry. It's an incredibly exciting subject for us to delve into and learn from. So I'm excited about it. I'm always excited about it. You know, each time I have the opportunity to lead up and share on this subject. And I really hope that you too will will be blessed by this. So the way we are going to go about this particular course is we will talk about prophetic ministry first and then we'll go on to apostolic ministry. We will have two assignments through the course duration. Both these assignments will carry a 50% weightage. So I request you to pay full attention to everything because both the assignments are equally important. And both attempting them and doing well in them will fetch you good marks. Now to talk about the prophetic ministry, we are going to use the APC publication known as understanding the prophetic. And for the apostolic ministry, we do have notes. So I will post the notes for us and we will use those notes as the content for our discussions. So to firstly start off, we will pray and then we'll go right into understanding the prophetic. So I want to request anyone from our class here to lead us in prayer as we begin this course today. That's great. J. Heavenly Father, we come here under the name of Jesus. We thank you for this beautiful day. We thank you for the course that we are about to start. God, we pray that you will help us to understand each and every single detail as Pastor Nancy teaches. Help us to open our hearts and mind and listen to it and to apply it in our lives so that we can do greater things for you down here on this earth. I give Pastor Nancy into your hands. We bless her. We declare your healing, your power and your strength and your happiness and joy over her Lord. I declare it all over my classmates. We pray that this course will be a blessing to us. And through this course, we will shine brighter for you in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you so much, Jeff enough for leading all of us in prayer. Now, my first question to all of us is why prophetic ministry? Okay, so what is your opinion about the importance of prophetic ministry? Why should we even talk about it? So any thoughts from each of us? Why talk about prophetic ministry? I'll go first. Sure. Yeah, so prophetic ministry, I think I came to know after coming to ABC. I mean, I've seen people flowing in prophecy after coming here. So maybe from last August, I came to know about it. And I think it really encourages, it gives us a clear guidance like how the Bible says like the one falls, the other picks up. There are people when they say the prophecy, it really helps us. And it sometimes when we are broken, it encourages us. And sometimes it gives us a clear guidance like, okay, this is what God wants me to do. And yeah, I think, I think that's what prophetic ministry means to me for now. But yeah, make it to learn about it. Sure. Thank you, Jefina for sharing. So Divya says it is the Bible and is spoken of by God. So we need to learn and leverage the gift in ministry. Okay, wonderful. And John says prophetic ministry reveals God's heart, his secrets. It also brings edification, exhortation and comfort for the body of Christ. So these are all reasons why the prophetic ministry is important. And we must build ourselves up in the understanding of the prophetic ministry. Now, sorry, all of these reasons are very true. But one key thing that, you know, as I think about prophetic ministry that comes to my mind is we have a God who speaks. If we do not have a God who spoke, you know, he spoke and the worlds were made. He continued to speak to men and women. He called his people like Abraham and then Jacob, so he began to speak to people. And if you read the book of Hebrews, you know, we see there, it says that God in all times, he's a God who has spoken and he continues to speak. And now he has spoken through his son Jesus Christ. So we have a God who speaks and a God who has not stopped speaking. And that is the beauty of the prophetic. Because if our God was silent, then there is no need for, you know, understanding the prophetic ministry. But we have a speaking God and we know from scripture that communication and words are so powerful. Like even if you don't look at it in the biblical sense, communication is so important. You have verbal communication, you have non-verbal communication. Now let's just take, for example, simple words that we use to express ourselves to one another. So I'm sure there are times in all our lives when, you know, we may have been down. We may have been going through a very rough patch and we had a friend or a family member come up to us and say something as simple as don't worry. Or, you know, they may have said something like, it's fine, you will make it. You are strong enough or I believe in you. Just a few words there, maybe two words or three words. But those words meant the world to us. Those words were good enough to help us pick ourselves back up and be back in the race. So when the words of people who love us can influence us so beautifully at talking about positive words. Yes, negative words also affect us so deeply. But let's consider positive words. When these positive words are spoken into our being, they really encourage us and they help us continue to live our lives. You know, with enthusiasm and zest and all of that. Now, think about this. I said initially that we have a speaking God. So if human words can be such a blessing, our heavenly Father who speaks to us, who desires to speak to us, even one word that he says can change the entire direction of our lives. So that is the importance of every word that God desires to speak to us and which is why we are interested. You know, we are interested in what he has to say. We are interested in the encouragement that he wants to bring us. We are interested in the direction that he wants to give to our lives. We are interested in the counsel which God wants to speak into our being. So these are all reasons why we want to know what is God saying, what is God saying. Now, the written word of God, the logos that we talk about, you know, the Bible, that gives us a picture of the nature of God and the intentions of God, the purposes of God. You know, that's always available to us. We also have the leading of the Holy Spirit when we are believers. The Holy Spirit indwells us and, you know, we are able to experience what God is saying to us. Now, when we talk about the prophetic word, one thing that we have to remember is while we have the logos and while we have the Holy Spirit was leading us, the prophetic word is what we generally say. It's a word in the now. So it's a now word. So the prophetic word is what God is saying to a certain audience. We are right now talking about God speaking to us individually. So what is God saying to me now? That is what the prophetic word is. Yes, the written word of God is there with us and it gives us the whole counsel of what God wants to say. But what is God saying to me now? That would be the prophetic word. And so for us to understand what is God saying now? Now, if we just expand this to more than me as the audience, let's say, what is God saying to the person that I'm praying for? What is God saying to the youth group that I'm ministering to? What is God saying to my family? What is God saying to the church community? So we can hear from God. We can hear what God is saying in the now. And so the prophetic word we understood is a now word. And prophetic ministry is nothing but hearing from God and serving people with that word, which he speaks or his message. We are saying a word, but it need not necessarily be a single word. We all understand that. But the message of God, we serve others with what God is speaking to their hearts. Now, when we consider the way God has been working in the church, we said that many restorative moves have taken place. We have seen that from the 400 to the 1480, there were the dark ages when the church became a very spiritually feeble entity. But from that point on, God did many things to help the church become stronger once again. So we saw that in the 1500s, there was the Protestant movement that took place. Then in the 1600s, we are aware of the Puritan movement that took place. We also saw that in the 1700s, there was a holiness movement where the church understood the importance of being sanctified. Now, moving forward from there, in the 1800s, there was something known as the Divine Healing movement where we can trace back many of those tent revivals and men and women of God who are flowing in supernatural healing and deliverance. So that was the 1800s. In the 1900s, we can talk about something known as the Pentecostal movement. Now, why are we talking about these movements that have taken place in the global church body? Because there is something God has done by His Spirit. In the 1900s, when the Pentecostal movement took place, there was an understanding that people developed about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Now, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we know that that is the initiation of the flow of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of the gifts, obviously, is the prophetic gift, prophecy. It's one of those gifts. So what began to happen from the 1900s and the various revivals that we can even talk about is people started flowing in these gifts and also the prophetic gift. And today, it hasn't stopped. In fact, it's only being strengthened. People are having a deeper understanding about what these gifts are all about, how these gifts flow, how to minister with these gifts. And one of those gifts is prophecy. Since we are discussing on this subject of prophecy, it's important for us to know that God hasn't stopped releasing His gifts. Now, while we talk about the prophetic gift, there can be some confusion that exists among people. See, we see the exercise of the gift in various levels, if you want to call it. So people wonder, how is it that one particular individual is called a prophet, whereas many others who are still prophesying are not called as prophets. So right at the outset, we'd like to clarify what the prophetic progression. We're using the term prophetic progression. Now, all of this is in your notes. So if you want to track with me, just open up your notes and follow along. There is something known as the prophetic progression that will help us recognize these levels of the move or the flow of the prophetic gift. So we usually see that all believers can move in what is known as the simple gift of prophecy. That is the, or another term that can be used is basic gift of prophecy. Where do we read about this basic gift of prophecy? Anyone, where does it list for us the basic gift of prophecy? Very popular passage. Is it 1st Corinthians 12? Perfect, yeah, that is it. So you have those nine gifts of the spirit which are listed out there and prophecy is one of them. So that is the basic gift of prophecy where Paul talks about the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit giving these gifts to the believer. Alright, so we've understood that. Now, if we go 1st Corinthians chapter 14 over there, when we read verse 1 and then we read verse 31 basically that passage is about the order that one needs to bear in mind to exercise the gifts of the Spirit. So Paul, he says something like towards the end, he says something like all of you can prophesy. But, you know, do it in order, do it one by one. So basically what we recognize from what the New Testament says is that the Holy Spirit gives these gifts to all believers. So there's no reservation. Every believer can flow in the gift of prophecy. So that is settled. The second thing, as we said, you know, Paul says all of you can prophesy but just prophesy one by one, do it in order. Every believer can actually flow in the gift of prophecy. So what we are saying is all believers to some extent can flow in what we are referring to as the simple gift of prophecy or the basic gift of prophecy. Now, what is the intention of this gift of prophecy? 1st Corinthians chapter 14 and verse 3. Now, having done the course on prophetic ministry, this particular verse you have to know. So even if you forget all the other details, 1st Corinthians chapter 14 and verse 3, it tells us that prophecy is meant to do what? It's meant to bring edification, exhortation and comfort. So this is the basic intention of the prophetic gift. So here is our understanding. All believers to some extent can flow in the prophetic meaning they can hear from God and they can apply it or they can hear from God and release it. What is the intention of us using this gift of prophecy? We want to edify. Edify is what? Build up God's people or exhort. Exort is what? Encourage. Exort is encourage God's people. So that is the intention of prophecy. Then 3rd one is to comfort. So God speaks a word to comfort his people and that is the intention of the basic gift of prophecy. So all believers can flow in this. However, we also see something known as the prophetic ministry. So there is the prophetic ministry. So when we look at Romans chapter 12, maybe one of us can open that Romans chapter 12 verses 4 through 8 please. Could somebody read it out for us? Romans chapter 12 verse 4 to 8. Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not have all have the same function. So in Christ, we who are many from one body and each member belongs to all others. We have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve. If it is teaching, let him teach. If it is encouraging, let him encourage. If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. If it is leadership, let him govern diligently. If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Yes. Thank you, Jefina. As you can notice, there are certain ministry gifts which are listed in this passage as well. So when we talk about 1 Corinthians 12, those are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. That's how we refer to it. Now if we talk about Romans chapter 12, these are the ministry gifts. Ministry gifts. Another word which is used to describe these gifts is grace gifts. See there in verse 6, it says having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. If prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. And then so many other ministries are listed there. Ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, cheerfulness. So these are all grace gifts meaning. Now gifts of the Holy Spirit, yes all believers can flow in it. But some believers may be given a grace or something to the capacity where their ministry, their entire ministry has that particular anointing. So there can be believers who are moving in the prophetic to a greater capacity as compared to a normal simple prophesying believer. So we are referring to this as the grace gift of prophecy or the prophetic ministry. So can every believer to some extent be prophetic in whatever they do. Let's say I'm a believer and God has given me the grace to lead worship. Can I be a prophetic believer and my leading of worship have prophecy in it? Yes, definitely. Maybe I'm a believer and God has given me the creative ability to paint and do art. Now, can I use the prophecy, the gift of the Holy Spirit and put that into my paintings, put that into the art that I deliver? Very much so. Maybe. I am in the corporate world and I have to make decisions. Can I hear from God and use the prophetic gift in the corporate world, in my leadership? Yes, all believers can do this. All believers can be prophetic. They can use the gift of prophecy. But there are some believers that have the grace gift of prophecy or they are in the prophetic ministry. So a lot of what they do is very prophetic. So that is another level of prophetic ministry. So we have a prophesying believer. Then we have the prophetic ministry and then we have something known as the office of a prophet. So three levels. I hope all of you are with me and you're not confused prophesying believer, grace gift of prophecy or prophetic ministry and then the office of a prophet. So what is this office of a prophet? We know in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 and 12, we read that Jesus, you know, there were gifts given to the church. These gifts which were given to the church were the five-fold ministry offices. So among the five-fold ministry offices, we know that prophet is one of those offices that strengthens the body of Christ. So there are some individuals who are called by God to be prophets. So can anyone become a prophet? No, anyone cannot become a prophet because as far as what Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 says, it is God who assigns. It is God who decides who has the calling of the office of a prophet. So there are some people who are called in the capacity of the office of a prophet. So they are also termed as or they are known as prophets. Can we call every prophesying believer a prophet? No, we don't do that. Generally, the person who is called into the office of a prophet is the person who is called as a prophet. So we don't call everyone prophet. We only call those through whose life it is quite clear that they have been called into that office as Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 talks about. Now, what is this speciality of the office of a prophet? So when we talk about the office of a prophet, we use the term governmental authority. So prophets carry a huge responsibility on their shoulders and this responsibility also comes with an incredible authority. And this Christ has given prophets because they have been called into the office of a prophet. So what are the tasks that they undertake? They will establish strong doctrinal foundations. There are also people who hear from God and they announce the new moves of God and directives of the Holy Spirit. For example, in Acts chapter 13, we see how God set aside Paul and Barnabas for the ministry, something new. Till then, you don't see like a missionary move of God. Believers were going around taking the gospel planting churches here and there, but something very uniquely different happened from Acts chapter 13. When God said, okay, set apart for me Paul and Barnabas for the work of the ministry. So a move came when the people heard from God and it was sort of an announcing or directive from God. So this is the way in which prophets actually function. They will announce moves of God, give directives from God or directives, nothing but instructions. They may have a message from God to the larger body of Christ. They may have messages to cities. They may have messages for regions. They may have messages to nations. So things like this is what these prophets are called unto. And many a time God also gives them insights about maybe major problems that may be going on within the church or in the body of Christ in general. Or solving problems, some sort of an insight that God might give, which makes a huge impact. So that's the way the anointing at the capacity of a prophet really works. So in times that we are living in right now, we began by saying there are moves of God and God has been restoring the strength due to the body of Christ. He has been restoring it move after move. So one of the things that God has not done is stop. So he hasn't stopped. Now we may be moving in a certain capacity as far as the prophetic is concerned. But here's the great news. We can keep pressing in. We can keep delving deep. We may have experienced it to a certain level. But we can explore and we can experience it in a greater measure. Even as God continues to pour out his spirit as he continues to speak as he continues to reveal his glory. So God wants to manifest the gifts as we read about the gifts of the spirit. We recognize that why does God give the gifts? The manifestation of the gifts is for the benefit of all. So the body of Christ is greatly benefited by the gifts of the spirit and the prophetic. So we as his people, we can be excited that in the days to come, I can expect more of the release of the prophetic. Maybe I heard from God in certain ways, but I can press in and see how much more I can hear from God, how much better I can hear from God. So that's a little bit to begin with in this first session. What we'll do now is because we have run out of time, we'll take a break 10 minutes and then we'll come back. Please feel free, understand the prophetic. It's meant to be a very interactive course. So if you have any questions or some experiences or it happened like this, it happened like that, what does it mean? Just feel free because our learning will be enhanced. So let's take a small break class. We'll come back. Please don't disconnect from this class link. Just stay on. I'll stop the recording, but then we'll come back on the same link and restart the recording. See you all soon. Thank you.