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

10

DEFINITION

OF CHRISTIAN

PROPHECY

Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not for bid to speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39

THE EARLY CHURCH embraced an astounding belief-one that could revolutionize today's Church if we would accept and buy it as our own. They were convinced that the Jesus who had walked among humankind in a literal body now resided among them in the invisible Per son of the Holy Spirit. The Christ who had spoken to them through His own lips now spoke to His people through the inspired speech of His ser vants! They called this continuing voice of Jesus in the Church prophecy. This chapter introduces the essential nature of this wonderful New Tes tament phenomenon, opening our discussion of "Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church." We will treat prophecy as an authentic experience, both then and now. Exciting and dynamic, prophecy provides an essential benefit in our church programs for experiencing God and expanding Christ's Church. Prophecy is a vital part of the renewal of the Church, and Christians must become more enlightened and inspired about its function and use. The broad scope of prophetic activity in first-century churches is appar ent from even a casual reading of the New Testament. The biblical doc uments that furnish direct information are Paul's letters, Acts and the book of Revelation. 1 161 a