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

The Latter Rain Movement

2. Prophets must work hard at maintaining sound doctrine. A prophet's blessed ministry does not automatically make him a credible Bible scholar. Doctrine is not formulated by prophecy. Blessing in one ministry does not confirm it in another. God blesses a ministry in response to faith and an open heart and not as the result of flawless doctrine. Nor does the gift of prophecy ensure that a person also has the gift of teaching. Mike Bickle comments: The problem is that people with strong power and prophetic ministries often aren't satisfied.Being used by God in prophecy and healing miracles becomes common to them, and they don't get a zing out of prophesying anymore.They often want to become teachers.One of the tough parts of effective prophetic ministry is keeping personal opinions out of the way. ...Prophetic people often chafe against this restraint on them that is not upon teachers.It is so important that prophetic ministers are part of a local church team that includes gifted teachers....When prophetic people and evangelists become separate from the local church [and the influence of the leadership team], they are often tempted to establish doctrine, just as a gifted teacher with a large following sometimes does. 28 3. A prophet can become disoriented by the enthusiasm of his or her followers. Popular acclaim exercises a heady influence, and the regard of enthusiastic followers can lead to an unhealthy exclusivity that declares, "I alone have the message that will usher in the Second Coming of Christ." Prophets sometimes tend to embellish their messages to maintain public support and enthusiasm, even resorting to spurious claims and misrepre sentation. Leaders held in high esteem can be given too much authority too much for their own good as well as for the people's. We can all learn a lesson from Jesus. When He had miraculously fed more than five thou sand people with bread and fish, and was probably at the height of His popular acclaim, He dismissed the crowds and disciples and went off into the hills by Himself to pray (Matthew 14:23). 4. Prophetic leaders sometimes use their gifts to reinforce their position. The word of an angel, for instance, should not be held over others to the exclusion of the clear teaching of the Word of God. A prophetic gift or min istry should be held in balance by other ministries. The greatness of a New Testament prophet is his or her ability to cooperate with other ministries in the edification of the Church. A prophetic ministry is only one part of the Body, not the brain that controls all. Any revealed word or vision from God is meant for the exaltation of God and not of the messenger. We can learn a lesson in humility from King David. As he fled Jerusalem during the uprising of his son Absalom, an uncouth man named Shimei cursed David and threw stones at him. David restrained his men from hurting the outspoken fellow, instead submitting himself and his future to God (2 Samuel 16:5-13). 301.