Response to Study on Prophecy

[Jim Watt]

*"TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES*

*Jim & Marie Watt*

*PO Box **25116 – Federal Way** **WA** **98093-2116***

*Tel: 253.874.4256 – Email: jmbetter at gmail.com*

*Web: www.2rhetter.org – **December 5, 2007***

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*"RESPONSE TO STUDY ON PROPHECY by J. R. Stevens"  *

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The article of December 3rd has such importance that it deserves the
following notes and response.



December 4, 2007.  Hi Jim. When I read the above article I noticed that you
spoke of the OFFICE of the prophet. Yet when I read Ephesians it speaks of
the gift not the office. Where in Scripture is the Office mentioned, since I
have heard some say that there is no such thing as an office of the Prophet?
Thanks.



Good question. John Wesley spoke of "graduations" of truth from 1738 and the
next 50 years in his writings. The "gifts" of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians
12:8-11; the "Ministries" of Romans 12:6-8; and the 5-fold Ministries or
Offices of Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 12:28 – fit into this same
"gradation" package. All 3 passages speak of "Cha-risMAta" or gifts.



Greek Word Studies alone are insufficient to answer this question. However,
a careful study of the full New Testament context does shed clear light on
this.



Harold Horton, Donald Gee, Harold Carter and Kingston of England have
written books on the Gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and the
5-fold Ministries or Offices of Ephesians 4:11-12 – that correspond very
closely with the 4 lessons of John Robert Stevens. I personally find his
expository teaching on these 3 passages and this subject -- to be accurate
and clear, and corresponds with other top Bible scholars and students that
preceded him. Bill Gothard of "Basic Youth Conflicts" along with others
deals with Romans 12:6-8 under the title of "Motivational Gifts," though it
is not a Biblical term as such.



It is most important to understand this "gradation," and conclusion drawn by
Brother Stevens. He carefully points out that the greater includes the
lesser, but not vice versa. When Paul wanted Timothy to be a member of his
apostolic band, he had elders from 3 cities, all knowing Timothy personally,
to lay hands on and prophesy over him for this office. It wasn't too long
till both Timothy and Titus were functioning as city apostolic pastors, and
moving in the area of directive prophecy. One should not function in the
5-fold offices of Ephesians 4:11-12 and directive prophecy apart from being
recognized and set apart into these offices by 5-fold city ministries. There
is much danger and damage that takes place when those moving in 1
Corinthians 12:8-11 and Romans 12:6-8 seek to move in the field of directive
prophecy when they have not received the confirmation of an Ephesians
4:11-12 position by City Presbyteries.



Smith Wigglesworth very clearly confirmed the teaching of the above 5
ministries in this area of gradation exposition.



Both Marie and I carefully warn people not to receive or give directive
prophecy in home meetings or other situations who have not had the
Presbytery City Church Ministry. It is also not wise to give or receive
personal prophecy from an individual.



To further confirm these conclusions, here is another letter from
Canadapointing out these same dangers, and the extremely low standards
existing in
the church today in these areas.



December 4, 2007 – Dear Jim – Thank you for your teaching on the prophetic.
I have been in ministry for 38 years and involved in this "wave" of renewal
for 27 years going back to involvement in the early stages of the Vineyard
under John Wimber. I learned early as a new believer that everything must be
tested by the logos word. Over the years I have seen many troubling things
in the so-called charismatic renewal alongside many good things and have
decided that we are really learning how to minister in the Spirit by trial
and error. Except that there is a growing concern in my heart about the
increase in error. This lies particularly in the area of the prophetic,
especially personal prophecy. The underlying problem is the growing
disconnect between the OT prophetic guidelines and NT prophecy. Prophets are
saying the OT prophecy has changed in the NT era and that it is still being
revealed. Thus the way prophecy is being judged is by experience and by the
confirmation of those experiences by other prophets. The authority of
scripture is on the decline. A lot is happening that troubles me greatly.
Could you respond to this? What do you think?



The above is a sober thought and concern. Dr. John Roddam finds that this
resonates with him also. As a result he led in having a Canadian friend come
with him to our home last week, and make a 3 DVD recording of documenting
the 1948 Visitation in Saskatchewan, pointing out both the positives and the
negatives. I have suggested to my friend above, that this set of DVD's when
soon available, will give much added insight in throwing light on his
concern and questions.



Beside these two, a number of other responses have come in concerning the
teaching of John Robert Stevens.



We are about to enter into the last great Revival and Visitation prior to
the Return of our Lord Jesus. Of course we can expect the enemy to lead many
to misuse the important mature use of the gift of prophecy.



So – thanks for the many of you who have expressed interest and concern in
this area. In the light of this, I would earnestly encourage you to print
out and preserve these lessons of Stevens. The other 4 books I have referred
to above are probably out of print. I have used them with profit since the
'40's and '50's. Had the one bringing up the first question had the
opportunity to read the books if these four, I doubt if he would have found
it necessary to write his question.



Jim Watt







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