The prophet's handbook

Guardian Custodian Prelate

Agents and Officers—What They Do In relation to the prophet, agents and officers exercise and exert the delegated authority they derive from the Godhead. Based on the language of 1 Corinthians 12:28–29, prophets govern by ruling and administration beneath God’s sovereignty. Ideally, they do so according to His divine canon (written law). Aside from legislation, prophets organize the operations and structure of the New Testament church, taking part in its discipline as needed. That is, collectively, instinctively, or punitively. The instructional mandate typical of prophets in general and church prophets in particular further requires the prophet’s mantle to be apt to teach. Prophets should be equipped to teach people about the supernatural, the divine world, and their spiritual heritage in Jesus Christ. Also, New Testament prophets are the ones most equipped to transmit apostles’ doctrine to the remainder of the fivefold for them to disseminate. Apostles make good sense to prophets because this mantle is the one that certifies them. Advancing the reasons for the office’s continuance, prophets still judge according to the Lord’s Word of truth. They manage His executive administrative affairs, supervise those in their care, and guard the body of Christ against demonic infiltration or worldly overflows. As ministers, prophets develop the saints in Christ’s spirituality, officiate over its priestly tasks in the earth, and enforce the righteousness of God. As protectors and servants, prophets cover, shield, and encircle their congregations, interceding for them as necessary. As governors, they regulate and manage the church’s supernatural interactions and sift the false from the true. As intermediaries, prophets interpose themselves between the Lord and His people, and prevent dark powers from overtaking them. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, prophets intercede for God’s people. Intercede is a word that many people only partially understand. Besides praying for others, it means intervening in their matters with one’s own authority and position, invoking God’s influence while doing so. Zephaniah 2:7 (nkjv) applies this word to a special, divine visitation where God acts on behalf of His people as the word of a qualified agent. Prophetic prayer performs just this function. When one intercedes for another, he is actually interposing himself