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Equipping Christian Leaders in the Developing World

Prophetic Ministry Today

by Dr Gavin D Williams

This book is written in an attempt to answer, simply, practically and from a biblical viewpoint, some of the many questions which are troubling Christians and their leaders.  It is written out of the experiences my wife and I have had as pastors, missionaries and Kingdom workers who serve the Lord Jesus across the whole range of the Christian Church. It is written by one who has confronted the tough questions personally searched for the answers with an open heart.

My principle purpose in writing this book is to provide a resource which I hope will be accessible to my brothers and sisters in Developing Lands. They do not have the many excellent books and resources available to Christians in the West. Yet they face the same and sometimes challenges. This book is deliberately brief. It has already been translated into several other languages and is of assistance to many faithful servants of the Lord. My desire is to equip God’s people as they seek to walk into all that He has for them. At the same time, I hope to warn them of some of the counterfeits which the enemy is sending to disturb Jesus’ church.

Synopsis of the Book

 Introduction

The Christian church in many lands faces significant challenges as prophetic ministry has become a present reality on the Christian landscape. We identify the purpose of the book and focus on people in Developing Lands.

1.      Understanding Each other.

All Christians approach the Bible with a set of fixed starting points. These come from our spiritual or denominational background or subsequent training. The place at which we begin significantly affects the outcome of our study of any subject. We examine the ‘Cessationist’ and ‘Continuist’ approaches to Biblical interpretation and the effect that these have on our willingness to receive contemporary revelation from God.

2.      Does God Speak Today?

The Living God of Heaven loves relationships. Part of His relationship with His people is His desire to speak personally to us. Scripture reveals God’s heart in this matter. We outline the Biblical foundations for our belief that God speaks today.

3.      How does God Speak Today?

Although there can be no definitive list of the ways and means God chooses to communicate with His children, Scripture and practical experience enlighten us to some of His favourite means.

4.      Is this really you, God?

How do we know that what we hear, see or receive is really from God? Are there some questions which we can ask to check the truth and accuracy of any revelation or communication?

5.      Prophets and Prophetic Ministry in the Bible

The ministry of prophets in the Old and New Testaments gives us foundations upon which to build our understanding of prophetic ministry today.

6.      Prophetic Ministry in Operation

Looking at the New Testament teaching on prophetic ministry we discern three levels of prophetic Ministry: Prophetic Declaration, Gift of Prophecy and the Office of Prophet.

7.      The Purpose of Prophecy in the Church Today

Given the challenges associated with the flow of prophetic ministry, we seek to answer the question: Why do we need this ministry in the church today?

8.      Personal Qualities of God’s Prophets

What are the personal qualities we may expect to see in those who effectively exercise the ministry of prophecy in the church today?

9.      Guidelines for Bringing a Prophetic Word

For those who believe the Lord has gifted them with some level of prophetic utterance, there are the guidelines which will enable the ministry to flow with the greatest blessing. We also consider a protocol for testing prophetic messages.

10. Guidelines for Receiving a prophetic word

Many Christians are intimidated when approached by some professing to have a prophetic message for them. These guidelines are intended to empower God’s people with understanding to enable them to wisely handle such intimidation.

11. Dangers in Prophetic ministry

There can be dangers in the exercise of any spiritual gift. This does not mean that the gift is to be rejected. The challenge is to be aware of the potential dangers and to guard against them as best we are able.

12. Developing Your Prophetic Gifting

Since believers are instructed to seek the gift of prophecy, there is a series of guidelines to assist believers in developing and testing potential prophetic gifting so that the potential prophet and the church are blessed in the process.

Published by LttN Publications

Budgewoi, Australia