SPCC 14.04.2002
1. Prophets Today?
a. prophetic ministry is tied to the gift of the Spirit and new covenant (Act 2:16-18)
b. the needs of the church do not alter, therefore prophecy is permanent
c. if apostles then prophets (1 Cor 12:28; Eph 2:20; 3:5; (4:11); Rev 18:10)
2. The Authority of Prophecy Today
a. the equivalent of the Old Testament Prophet is the New Testament Apostle (12) (Luke 11:49; 1 Cor 14:37 -38; 2 Peter 3:2, 15 -16)
b. Scripture is complete on all essentials of faith and conduct, this level of revelation / authority has ceased
c. contemporary prophecy is always to be tested (1 Cor 14:29; 1 Thess 5:20 -21; 1 John 4:1)
3. The Nature of the Prophetic Ministry
a. prophets receive supernatural revelation by the Spirit (Acts 11:27- 30; 13:1- 2; 1 Cor 14:24,25,30,31; Rev 1:10 -11; 4:1 -2; 17:3)
b. prophets are constrained by the Spirit to speak words from God (Luke 1:41f,67; Acts 2:4; 4:8; 11:28; 1 Cor 12:7,10; 14:2; 1 Peter 4:11; Rev 1:3, 10- 11)
c. prophets proclaim the plan of God (Amos 3:7 -8; Acts 3:21; Eph 1:10)
d. prophets have the testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:10; 1:1; 2:13; 12:10 -11 etc.)
4. Prophecy Prepares the Church for Kingdom Ministry
a. they equip God’s people for servant work (Eph 4:11)
b. their word conveys conviction from God about sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8; 1 Cor 14:24ff; cf. Rev 2:1 – 3:22)
c. they hate and oppose false teaching and idolatry (Matt 7:15; 24:11,24; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:9; 10:7; 2 Cor 6:16; 11:12 -15; Gal 1:9; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5; Rev 2:14,20)
d. they bring:
1. strengthening (1 Cor 14:3,5,17)
2. encouragement (Acts 15:32; 1 Cor 14:3)
3. consolation (Acts 15:32; 1 Cor 14:3)
4. direction (Acts 13:1- 4; 1 Tim 1:18; 4:14)
5. confirmation (Acts 20:22 -23; 21:11)
6. exhortation (Acts 11:23)
5. Prophets Suffer Rejection on Account of their Message
(Matt 5:12; 23:29 -37; Luke 11:49; Acts 7:52; Rom 11:3; Rev 2:13; 13:9 -10; 16:6; 18:24)
6. The Urgency of Prophecy Today: Crisis in the Church
a. theology – loss of the power of the Word of God (1 Thess 2:13)
b. morality – loss of the power of the indwelling Christ ( Gal 2:20)
c. spirituality – loss of the power of the Spirit (Acts 1:8)
7. The Message of God TODAY