THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 2)

PROPHETS:

Prophets in the NT were those Spiritual leaders who were uniquely gifted in receiving and communicating direct revelation from GOD by the holy spirit.One of their main concerns was  the spiritual life and  purity of the church under the new covenant they were raised up and empowered by the Holy spirit to bring a message from GOD to his people(Ac2:17).

APOSTLES PETER AND JOHN HEALS A LAME MAN.

I)  OT prophets are foundational for understanding the prophetic ministry in the early church.Their primary task was to speak a word of GOD by the spirit in order to encourage God's people to remain faithful to their covenant relationship.They also, at times,predicted the future as the spirit revealed it to them.Christ and the apostles serve as examples of the OT ideal(Ac3:22-23;13:1-2)

II) Prophets functioned within the NT church in the following ways:

1.  They are spirit filled proclaimers of the word of GOD, called by GOD to warn, exhort, comfort and edify(Ac2:14-36;3:12-26;1Co12:10;14:3)
2.  They are to exercise the gift of prophecy(see post on 'SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR BELIEVERS').
3.  They were at times seers(1Ch29:29)who foretold the future(Ac11:28;21:10-11).
4. Like the OT prophets,the NT prophets were called to expose sin,proclaim righteousness, warn of judgement to come,and combat worldliness and lukewarmness among God's people(Lk1:14-17).Because of their message of righteousness,prophets and their ministry can expect rejection by many in the churches during times of lukewarmness and apostasy.

III) The prophets' character,burden,desire and ability include:

1.  A zeal for church purity(Jn17:15-17;1Co6:9-11;Gal5:22-25).
2. A deep sensitivity to evil and the capacity to identify unrighteousness(Ro12:9;Heb1:9).
3. A keen understanding of the danger of false teachings(Mt7:15,24;Gal1:9;2Co11:12-15).
4. An inherent dependence on God's word to validate the prophet's message(Lk4:17-19;1Co15:3-4;2Ti3:16).
5. A concern for the spiritual success of GOD 's feelings(Mt21:11-13;23:37;Lk13:34;Jn2:14-17;Ac20:27-31).

IV) The NT prophets' messages and prophecy were not to be regarded as infallible.Their prophecy  was subject to the evaluation of the church,other prophets and God's word.The congregation was required to discern and test whether their witness is from GOD(1Co14:29-33;1Jn4:1).

V) Prophets continue to be essential to God's purpose for the  church.A church that rejects God's prophets will decline in spiritual discernment and drift towards worldliness and the  compromise of Biblical truth(1Co14/3;Mt23:31-32;Lk11:49;Ac7:51-52).If  prophets are not allowed to bring words of rebuke and warning,as well as encouragement,words prompted by the spirit,words exposing sin and unrighteousness(Jn16:8-11), as well as comfort,then the church will become a place of  where the voice of the spirit is stifled or muted.Ecclesiastical politics and worldly power Will replace the spirit(2Ti3:1-9;4:3-5;2Pe2:1-3,12-22).On the other hand,if the church, with its leaders,hears the voice of the prophets, it will be moved to renewed life and fellowship with Christ,sin will be forsaken,and the spirits presence will be evident among the faithful(1Co14:3;1Th5:19-21;Rev3:20-22). 
 

Prophet AMOS.

THE SLAUGHTER  OF BAALS PROPHETS BY PROPHET ELIJAH.

DEAR READERS:

Please do share your spiritual knowledge with me about  the offfice of a prophet of GOD.