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

Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church

Patrick Fairbairn, a leading commentator on Old Testament prophecy, when he describes the prophetic unction as "the higher impulse stimu lating [the prophets'] natural powers, and informing their minds with supernatural revelations, but never destroying either their personal free dom, or their proper individuality. " 7

Spoken Out

A revelation intended for prophecy is not considered prophecy unless it is shared, proclaimed orally, to the assembled church by a Spirit-filled Christian, as these references make clear (emphasis added): "While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said .. ." (Acts 13:2). "The Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying" (Acts 19:6). "This is what the Holy Spirit says ..." (Acts 21:11). "One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation" (1 Corinthians 14:3). "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted" (1 Corinthians 14:29-31). The setting most conducive to such revelation is the worship environ ment in the local church. Christians in this atmosphere of Spirit-inspired worship find themselves more open to hearing God's voice and more will ing to be channels for that voice to speak through them. Since the human mind attunes more easily to the spiritual dimension through prayer, praise and worship, God's people tend to function best in these surroundings. When our attention has shifted from our bankrupt selves to the glorious Lord, we are in the best possible position to hear from heaven. Prophecy is a special vehicle God uses to bless His Church. The gath ering of the faithful is the ideal place for the Holy Spirit to speak into cur rent needs and situations. The sanctity of the message is enhanced and preserved in the context of the Christian assembly. Here the people are capable of evaluating prophetic manifestations and the spiritual leaders help bring God's immediate purposes to pass. If a prophecy needs cor rection-and we know from the Bible that this is sometimes necessary (more on this in Part 6)-the loving pastoral care of the church provides the necessary help and enforcement. 8 ■ 164 Given to the Church