Were all
the prophets of the Bible powerful and saintly?
Actually, most struggled with
their mission, character, and situation, but God nevertheless relied on them to
relay his messages to the world.
In a casual style sure to
appeal to the everyday reader, Biblical Principles for Covenantal Prophets
investigates many stories about the prophets. It uncovers a wealth of
principles that can be applied to the ministry of believers today. This book
also provides balanced discussion of the pitfalls of prophecy. Church leader
and layperson alike will find it to be a valuable resource. The basic, Biblical
understanding of prophecy gained from this book may very well transform your
life and your church.
Since
prophecy is a spiritual gift, its operation is subject to the purposes of the
mediating spirit and the control of the prophet. So although God has always
desired to speak with all his covenant people, the fearful rebellion of the
Israelites at Mt. Sinai led Him to suppress this gift until Christ’s atonement
opened the way for God’s Spirit to dwell within every believer. After Pentecost,
the apostles encouraged everyone to seek prophecy even as they dealt with the
practical matters of how it should operate in meetings and how to deal with
false or erroneous prophets.
Chief among practical matters
is how to judge that a message is in fact from God. Rebellious prophets and
their messages are to be dismissed. For believers, who are imperfect, the Bible
lists several tests: the Test of Time, the Test of Character, the Test of the
Spirit, and the Test by Other Prophets. Each of these tests has its weaknesses,
and care must be taken in their application.
Leaders and prophets must work
together for prophecy to operate in healthy fashion. For their part, prophets
grow to obediently and impartially deliver the messages God gives them, testing
everything and seeking revelatory insight for interpretation. Leaders take into
account the scope and the nature of each prophetic message and formulate a
response. The mutual respect required of this partnership can break down in the
face of difficult messages or opposition.
When prophecy achieves the
purposes for which God gives it, great things happen in the lives of believers,
their communities, and the spiritual world around them. Ungodly thinking,
activity, and strongholds are broken. God’s kingdom advances, and all the glory
goes to Him!
A
thorough, popular guide to what the Bible has to say about prophecy,
Biblical Principles for Covenantal Prophets:
1) uncovers a wealth of principles that leaders and ordinary
believers will be able to apply to their ministries
2) provides balanced discussion of the pitfalls of prophecy
and suggestions for treatment of and policy for prophecy
3) gives insight on prophetic terminology, God’s intentions
for prophecy, and the rationale behind principles for prophecy
Click to browse
the book on-line.
About the Author
Michael
Richter is a freelance writer, database programmer, and leader who has been
involved in inner-city ministry in Chicago for fifteen years. During this
period, God has stretched him in more dimensions than one might expect, and
Michael has recorded many of his discoveries in essays, studies, and
songs. He and his wife, Sandra Inés
Román-Cruz, are members of Uptown Baptist Church, but are currently involved in
planting a new church called Chicagoland Community Church.
Cover Art by Rosemarie
Oehler Adcock
Illustrations by Yvonne Soong
Published June 15, 2001
Writer’s Showcase
An imprint of iUniverse.com,
Inc.
5220 S 16th, Ste. 200
Lincoln, NE 68512
Retailers please see information
on how to order copies from
iUniverse.com.
ISBN: 0-595-18313-1
$10.95
For sale now at iUniverse.com and major on-line book
retailers.
To schedule interviews, signings, or seminars, please
contact the author at
or call (847) 674-3220.
©2001 Michael Richter