God clearly defines the role of a prophet in the Bible. The 5 major roles of a prophet are functions of every prophet but the calling of a prophet usually includes job description.
A prophet is a God’s messenger, God’s mouth piece who God speaks through. S/he is God’s vessel passing His message to people.
When a prophet speaks and gives messages, it is the Holy Spirit speaking (God) not the prophet. See who a prophet is.
5 major roles of a prophet
From the calling of Jeremiah, God presents the roles of a prophet.
Jer 1:10: See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
The 5 major roles of a prophet are: –
- To pull down
- To destroy
- To throw down
- To build and
- To plant
To pull down
To pull down is to bring what or which is high down.
A prophet pulls down what is not Godly, pride, sin, evil etc.
To pull down also means to depress spirits. Depressing is lowering or reducing the activity of spirits.
A prophet has the power to depress evil spirits thus reducing their activity.
Elijah pulled down Baal prophets and their god before the children of Israel on Mount Carmel even mocking them.
1 Kings 18:26-27: And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he slept, and must be awaken.
To destroy
To destroy is to demolish, make useless, spoil or kill.
After pulling down, a prophet destroys. S/he makes the power of Satan useless reason prophets are powerfully powered.
After pulling down Baal prophets, Elijah destroyed (killed) them.
1 Kings 18:40: And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
To throw down
To throw down is to cause something one is holding to drop.
The children of Israel and Baal prophets were holding the opinion that Baal was a true god but Elijah threw down that opinion and proved that Baal is an idol and the true God is the God of Abraham.
1 Kings 18:39: And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
See You shall not make for yourself a graven image
To build
To build is to construct, establish or cause to increase.
After pulling, throwing down and destroying, a prophet builds.
It had not rained for many days in Israel and after Elijah slew all Baal prophets, he not only established that the God of Abraham is the true God and Baal is an idol but he brought rain causing Israel to increase.
1 Kings 18:45: And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.
To plant
To plant is to establish or institute.
Elijah established not only God of Abraham is the true God but also the fear of God in the Children of Israel.
The role of a prophet not more of telling the future
The role of a prophet is not more of telling the future but pulling and throwing down, destroying, building and planting the word of God in people.
A prophet admonishes, warns, directs, encourages, intercedes, teaches and counsels. S/he brings the word of God to people and calls people to respond.
A prophet is part of the five-fold ministry and s/he can play any role of the five-fold ministries when need be. See church leadership structure.
A prophet directs and guides. S/he is the eye of the church. Without a prophet, the church is blind.
As an eye, a prophet explains the plan and purpose of God and tells people what God will do in the future. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.
A prophet turns people from their evil ways back to God that they might be saved. Reason I am prophesying to turn Kenya from her evil and repent for God to repent His wrath on her. See Kenya judgment prophecy
Also see the consequences of ignoring a prophet
God bless you.
