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

Who Judges the Prophecies?

share it. Consequently, we often ask people to share what they feel with an elder [i.e., present the gist of the message] 2 4 before they do so with the con gregation. The elder may recognize it as a personal insight that is either unnecessary or inappropriate for the congregation at that time. We risk hurting people's feelings by doing it this way, though I believe we seldom do, but it seems the path of balance between two entirely unde sirable courses: (1) giving no place to the Spirit's working; or (2) exercis ing no control whatever. Both would be offensive to God. 25 Hayford also shares this straightforward approach to a questionable prophecy: Prophecies may be corrected. If there is something clearly erroneous, correct it. And if it is unclear, ask the persons bringing the word to clarify it. If they say they don't know what they mean, then a later contact to clar ify their own thinking about prophesying may be necessary. On occasion, if a word seemed erratic, judgmental, or bizarre, I have simply asked openly of elders and deacons present, "Who of you confirm this word?" In such obvious cases, there are usually none whatsoever. Thus, much to the con gregation's comfort, the situation is immediately addressed and it is made evident again that our openness to the supernatural has not surrendered us to the stupid or the superstitious. (Incidentally, the few times the above has happened, the persons bringing the word have always been visitors. I can almost assure any congregation seeking to open their worship to a place for the prophetic that such visitors will appear. I sometimes think they're beamed down from somewhere in outer space, but even if that's not true, I can tell you for sure they're from somewhere in deep left field!) 2 6 Sometimes we miss a potentially great opportunity for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on the assembled church. If a powerful prophecy comes to a group of people, the leadership should handle it carefully to gain maximum effect. Such a prophecy could be followed, for instance, by prayer; then the leader could ask all those who felt the spoken word was from God to stand. While everyone is standing, various leaders could be asked to pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how the word should be handled and what response the Spirit is directing.27 6. Clifford Hill

7. Faith Church (New Orleans)

This congregation has always successfully promoted prophecy and spir itual gifts. Pastor Charles Green has used a three-level approach through the years. 345.