PROPHETIC PRESBYTERY

This is a key verse for understanding Prophetic Presbytery. It was practiced in the New Testament church from the beginning and has great value for the church today. Notice that the word “eldership” at the end of the verse – some versions have “presbytery”. The word used here is from the Greek word “presbuteron” which can translate to “elders”.

Here are three points to help us understand what a Presbytery service entails:

1 – First, Presbytery is intended to be “Team Ministry”. The word Presbuteron is a plural word and is intended to be carried out by a team. Consider Acts 15:32 - 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. This is an early example of two men ministering together to strengthen and exhort… This is what Presbytery is for – a team of elders that offer words of encouragement, exhortation and give strength!

2 – Second, it is impartation. II Timothy 1:6 - 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Notice that this verse and the verse from I Tim 4:14 both say that there is a gift “in you”. I Tim 4 also tells us that it is “given”. God gives to you – and it is “by prophesy with the laying on of hands”. Which brings us to the last point.

3 – Presbytery is about prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:3 – But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Presbytery services are prophetic and prophecy is for lifting up. Essentially, prophetic words are an expression of God’s heart through a person to touch another person’s heart.