The Protocol of Personal Prophecy in the Local Church The Holy Spirit Said

 

Label-Seers Daily Devotional 

There is a protocol for prophecy in the local church assembly in the New Testament Church, that explains how the local assembly operated as a Body in hearing the Voice of God.  In today's time together I would like to share a few insights to bless those who desire to walk in God's highest best in the Kingdom of God. 

In the Book of Acts 13 we read about a church by the name of Antioch that assembled together for a year with Prophets and Elders.  It was during this time that great revival was taking place as the whole church came together to minister as unto the Lord. 

Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

(verse 2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

(verse 3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Here, it is important to notice that everyone was assembled in public meetings worshiping and ministering unto the Lord--together as a body.  Not only was everyone there ministering unto the Lord but the members of the church of Antioch were fasting together ministering unto the Lord. 

As they ministered and fasted together, "The Holy Spirit spoke" and all the people heard what was spoke.  There was unity in what was heard, and there was unity on the focus of who the work of the Holy Spirit was for.  

Yet, after all the members of the church heard, along with the Prophets and Elders "They continued fasting and praying" and it was there the laying on of hands were given. 

This is very important to understand the protocol of prophecy in the local church because "it is the team" that prays together and stays together not breaking ranks of the Holy Spirit and the people to worship and minister unto the Lord together. 

At no time did any of the prophets and teachers go to Paul (who was Saul) to deliver a prophesy in private or a vision because ministering and praying together as a body for the work of the Holy Spirit and as unto the Lord was greater. 

At the same time, after the ministry of the Lord was known by the church of Antioch before the "Work of the Holy Spirit was released" there was more fasting and prayer unto the Lord and then the confirmation of the what was heard among the believers. 

I personally love this study of the Prophets because you see their strengths among the local assembly and their protocol.  As you continue in this chapter you will see that there appeared a "False Prophet" in the midst who wanted the "Word of God" so that the "False Prophet" would turn people away from the faith rather than ministry unto the Lord.  Do you see here what makes a "False Prophet" as well?  A "False Prophet" desires the Word of the Lord 'to turn people away from ministering together as a body."

(Verse 9) Then Saul, (who was also called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

(Verse 10) And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wasys of the Lord? 

You see a "False Prophet" operates independantly against "Righteousness in the Body" to be a body to minister together as unto the Lord. 

(Verse 11) And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.  And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the  hand. 

(Verse 12) Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

In Closing:

This is a common mistake to those that are young in seeing in the Spirit--yet they are not categorized as false prophets.  Just because they see does not mean they are Seers, however, the greatest challenge of a mature Seer is to wait upon the church with the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit speak to the whole church before stepping out in the laying on of hands for the work of the Holy Spirit in an individuals life. Young Seers have great desire to operate privately and in secret.  Young Seers have a great desire to see in secret and not "Share as a team" waiting upon the call of action and protocol of the Holy Spirit as a body.

What do you do with those who are young Seers who desire to operate out of protocol? Do you cast them out?  Eventually, there will be hearts lifted up in pride and privately seek others to tell their vision or dream without the whole church to have ministry unto the Lord will do one or two things. 

First, they will learn by continual study of the Word of God in a heart that desires maturity as a body.  Or, they will be like those who have gone astray seeking their own way without the body to minister unto the Lord as a body.   There is a reason why the sons of the prophets were called sons, "They learned how to recognize the anointing by what was external, and speak their vision until the Leader (2 Kings 2-Elisha) was ashamed."  

This came to the point where the Prophet could not say anything else to the sons except, "Hold your peace." 

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Steal Away in the Secret Place, 

Sister Lara