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

Prophets and Prophecy in the Book of Acts

Paul read his mail that day!He discerned the false prophet for what he was, then denounced him with emphatic, uncompromising words.As he pronounced judgment, a blinding mist of darkness descended on the sor cerer-and the magistrate was converted! Paul's action resembles that of Peter condemning Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3, 9).Severe judgment was sometimes part of the ministry of the prophet.Consider Ahijah telling Jeroboam's wife that her child would die when she walked into the city (1 Kings 14:12), or Jeremiah declaring that the false prophet Hananiah would die that year (Jeremiah 28:16-17). "Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren...." After the Council at Jerusalem had solved the problems raised by the presence of Gentiles in the predominantly Jewish Church, the apostles and elders wrote a letter to be circulated among the churches.They dep utized two prophets, Judas and Silas, to accompany the apostles Paul and Barnabas (14:14) in delivering the letter.These prophets were seasoned ministers, having risked their lives for Christ.As prophets they did more than just prophesy; they had a unique ability to "encourage and strengthen " the churches.Since assimilating the Gentiles was the most critical problem the young Church had faced, apostles and prophets were teamed to present the Council's conclusions (note Ephesians 2:20). Churches miss great blessing and spiritual impartation when they do not have prophets visit them from time to time.As a former pastor I can testify of the good and lasting impact that prophetic ministries have had on our church.Not only have people been blessed and inspired uniquely, but the church program is often given special insight and direction.Once our church was facing a special necessity of thirty thousand dollars needed within a few months.Every time the elders met we asked ourselves the question, "Where will we get the money?" It became a faithless obses sion!Then David Schoch came to preach for us, not knowing of the finan cial need.Suddenly, without warning, he declared a word from God for our situation: "You are not to worry about the thirty thousand dollars!" Our worries evaporated and the need was met on time. A Pair ofProphets Selected (15:25-26, 32)

Receiving Divine Directives (16:6-7)

"...Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; ...and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them." 203 ■