Why Does the Church Need Prophets?

1 Corinthians 14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit,especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

For Paul the underlying and most important purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ.  The word he uses for this is "edification". A large building is called an "edifice".  So, therefore the word "edify" means to build up.  When we use our spiritual gifts together we are building up the church which grows until Jesus returns to take His bride, the church, home. 

With this principle in mind, Paul compares and contrasts the spiritual gift of "speaking in tongues" with "prophesy".  To speak in "tongues" means to speak in a language known only to God.   It edifies the individual only.  This isn't bad because it draws the person closer to God, but its use is limited in the sense is it only affects only one person.  But if someone interprets what the person speaking in tongues is saying it edifies the entire church.  The Corinthians were enthralled with the gift of "speaking in tongues", but it led to pride and excessive use.  Other gifts were deemed inferior to it. 

So what is prophesy? Here is a good definition of the gift.

"The Greek word for the gift of prophecy is propheteia which is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others in the church.  These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction, disclosure of secret sins, prediction of future events, comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ."

Being a prophet can be a lonely job.  Prophets are often required to give a message people don't want to hear.  Unlike a pastor who is often in the role of comforting and encouraging, a prophet's make people feel very uncomfortable.  Prophets have a unique role in that they deliver God's word and make it relevant to real life. This can convict the listener to turn from things they know are wrong and adjust their lives in alignment with God's will.  We all know change is hard. We often react negatively to it or take it personally when someone calls out on bad behavior.  We all need prophets in our lives to keep us from becoming spiritual stagnant. They require us to hear what we need to hear.  Don't be too hard on prophets, they are needed today as much as they were in Paul's day.