Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Comparing Prophecy in Both Testaments

culture and national heritage were all one intertwined experience and lifestyle.New Testament prophecy occurred within the churches of vari ous nations and ethnic groups-not as a political force but as an edifying spiritual influence to encourage the domestic lives of the people and to help them withstand persecution. A Jew was a Jew nationally, racially, culturally and religiously. The Christian, by contrast, was a Christian in religion but was also the citi zen of a non-Christian nation who lived in a cultural and social environ ment foreign to Mosaic standards.The Jew was automatically one with his nationality; the Church was composed of those "called out " ones who lived in the world but were not spiritually part of it. The New Testament prophet (or person who prophesied) was a mem ber of the Body of Christ, a person involved in the local church family. These people did not live in some exalted, rarefied condition; they were called as servants of Jesus. They did not enjoy the unlimited authority possessed by Old Testament prophets but were "obliged to function in fellowship and co-operation with other related members." 17 The Chris tian prophet "does not stand above the community; like all the rest he is a member of it." 18 The Christian must merge and coordinate his or her ministry with that of brothers and sisters, submitting all prophetic utter ances to the evaluation of fellow Christians. Spiritual judgment among their own members was a new situation for the people of God and a far cry from the Hebrew prophet, who was revered when right-and stoned when wrong! As Rick Joyner says: "The Old Covenant prophets were prophesying of Jesus who was to come; the New Covenant prophets are prophesying in Jesus, as members of His very body. " 19 Prophets in every nation now have as their primary concern the Church and carrying out of the mission of Jesus Christ, rather than national, mil itary and political interests.Prophetic emphasis shifted dramatically from chasing wayward kings and warning hostile nations to the weekly edifi cation, comfort and spiritual direction of all God's people, even the lowli est of souls.Alex Buchanan remarks: "There were national prophets in Israel in Bible times, but Israel was a theocracy....We are not guided as a nation by prophets, although prophets may speak out within the nation. Prophets today speak mainly to or through the church." 20

The Ancient Ministries of the Prophets, Priests and Kings Have Now Passed into the Lives of Ordinary People

God's desire for a nation of royal priests (Exodus 19:6) is fulfilled in the members of the Church-all of whom are designated kings and priests, and who all have the potential to prophesy. 2 1 Jesus "has made us kings 149.