Foundations of Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

A Theological Overview of the Equipping Gifts Described in Ephesians 4.11 (continued)

ed., Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1964, p. 792). However, it could also be used to describe much more informal prophets such as those engaging in prophetic manticism, and poets who created under the influence of their Muse. The majority of prophecy in the Greek world was in the form of divination in which a person approached the prophet with an inquiry which the prophet answered. In Greek thought, “The prophet occupies a mediatorial role. He is the mouthpiece of the god and he is also man’s spokesman to the god.” ( Theological Dictionary of the New Testament , Vol.6, Gerhard Kittel, ed., Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1964, p. 794). 1. “All may agree that there appears no new revelation to be expected concerning God in Christ. But there appears to be no good reason why the living God, who both speaks and acts (in contrast to dead idols), cannot use the gift of prophecy to give particular local guidance to a church, nation or individual, or to warn or encourage by way of prediction as well as by reminders, in full accord with the written word of Scripture, by which all such utterances must be tested. Certainly the NT does not see it as the job of the prophet to be a doctrinal innovator, but to deliver the word the Spirit gives him in line with the truth once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), to challenge and encourage our faith” (J. P. Baker, “Prophecy,” New Bible Dictionary , 2nd Edition, J. D. Douglas and others, eds., Leicester, England-Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982, p. 985). 2. “The prophet knows something of the divine mysteries. . . . Nevertheless, primitive Christian prophecy does not consist only of the disclosure of future events. . . .The prophet speaks out on contemporary issues. He does not say only what God intends to do; he also proclaims what God would have done by men. . . .The prophet admonishes the indolent and weary and consoles and encourages those under assault, 1 Co. 14.3; Ac. 15.32. Through his preaching he brings to light the secret wickedness of men, 1 Co. 14.25. Since he speaks with a sense of God-given authority, he gives authoritative instruction, though he is not above criticism” (Gerhard Kittel, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament , Vol.6, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1964, p. 848).

B. Relevant Theological Quotes