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

When Bishops Replace Prophets

Staying Spiritually Alive

The stifling of the prophetic move of the Spirit in the first three cen turies is too tragic to be ignored. We can and must learn from the early Church's mistakes. Christians at the end of the twentieth century can maintain spiritual life in our churches and forestall the negative influ ences of institutionalization if we pursue the following nine suggestions. Remember, in natural bodies and the Church alike, life and health require vigilance and diligence. The Church, like any organization, requires atten tion to form and structure, but she also requires, like any organism, care for the maintenance of her life system and purpose for existence. 39 Everyone in the church should be urged-and expected-to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The following leaders considered it vital: Jesus (Luke 4:1; 24:49); Peter (Acts 4:8); the twelve disciples (Acts 6:2-3); Stephen (Acts 7:55); Paul (Acts 9:17); and Barnabas (Acts 11:24). Our leadership today, including bishops, must consider this a personal requirement. Nor is being filled with the Spirit something we should assume or take by faith; it is a tangible lifestyle marked by the power of the Spirit and the demonstration of spiritual gifts. The word filled is conspicuous by its consistent appearance in Scripture, and it means we are to be crammed full, clear up to the top and even over flowing. All true leaders must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, and they must maintain a prophetic consciousness (an awareness of the Spirit's guid ance)--even if they are not prophets. Leaders can lead people only when they themselves are led by the Lord. Leaders must be filled with the Holy Spirit! Bishops (or any other title- or position-holder) must demonstrate spir itual gifts, and this means more than exercising natural administrative skills and bureaucratic activities. Leaders expectant in the Spirit-who walk in the Spirit, are led by the Spirit, bear the fruit of the Spirit, live by the Spirit and sow to the Spirit-will offset the inbred tendency to organize at the expense of the Spirit (Galatians 5:5, 16, 18, 22, 25; 6:8). If prophecy is to be promoted in the Church-and everyone, as we have seen, has the potential to prophesy on occasion-it is not inappropri ate for us to expect our Church leaders to be prophetic. Such leaders must be careful to use and control the fire, not snuff it out. 1. Insist on Spirit-Filled Leadership

2. Incorporate the Ministries ofApostle and Prophet

Paul indicated in Ephesians 4:11-13 that the fivefold leadership min istries are essential for the growth and development of the Church. But

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