The Prophetic is EssentialThe church cannot survive and grow to maturity without the prophetic and the prophetic ministry. It is not an optional extra. The Bible is clear about the importance of prophecy.
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:39).
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith (Rom 12:4-6).
After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea (Acts 21:10).
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified (1 Cor 14:1-5).Christianity is prophetic through and through. When the prophets are silent and the word of God is in short supply, the church withers and dies. If there are prophets today, their hands are tied and their mouths gagged by the clumsy democratic processes of church institutions. Prophecy is seldom heard within this establishment. For prophecy comes by the spirit of God and not by consensus or debate (Michael Harper).
For our society to be renewed, it is necessary for the church, and by that I mean individual Christians together, to become a prophetic voice to our land. We must remember the price of being a prophet. If people were given the choice of straightening the wall or killing the prophet, they will usually kill the Prophet instead of straightening the wall (Bob Mumford).
A successful church will be one that appreciates the prophetic and is a place where prophets can develop in their ministry.
Many people, churches and movements have entirely rejected the prophetic, because they were wounded by false prophets or their mistakes. However, the Scriptures clearly show that God almost never raises up a great leader who does not make serious mistakes. Some of the greatest leaders made some of the greatest mistakes but they did not let that stop them. Many Christians have a genuine prophetic gift or call to prophetic ministry, yet have been discouraged from pursuing their calling because of past mistakes (Rick Joyner - The Prophetic Ministry).
The church is called to be prophetic towards the world. This role requires the development of the prophetic ministry.
Even if we are not called to the office of a prophet, we need to understand this ministry. The entire church is called as a prophetic voice to the nations. Together we are to serve as the Lord’s spokesmen to the world (Rick Joyner - The Prophetic Ministry).
The New Testament prophet’s primary function is to open the church to the ministry of Jesus the Prophet so that he can flow freely among his people. Everyone is not called to the office of a prophet, but the whole church as a unit is called to be a prophet to the world, manifesting Christ’s ministry as the spokesman for God (Rick Joyner - The Prophetic Ministry).
Uncomfortable PeopleProphets can be uncomfortable people to have around. They can often be hard to take. We must avoid taking offence at their style and manner and missing what God is doing through them. ...TO READ MORE GO TO.. PROPHETS AND THE CHURCH |
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