Rev.19:10 . . . " The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." That's the acid test. The reason why this is, is because every born again Christian has in the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said in John 16:13 Hobeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself: but whotsoever he shall hear that he shall speak: and he will shew you things TO COME."
" The testimony of Jesus" is the spirit to fortell the future. The difference between a bible believing Christian and a professing Christian, here is the acid test. DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE YOU ARE GOING WHEN YOU DIE? DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE UNSAVED PEOPLE ARE GOING WHEN THEY DID? DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE ON THIS EARTH IN THE FUTURE? If you are a born again Christian, you know! If you are a Catholic, a Jew, a Protestant, a Buddhist, a Mohammedan, a Taoist, Hindu, liberal, a modernist, neo-orthodox, Campbellite, Russellite, etc. you don't know for sure.
I dont believe there's Prophets today that foretells the future as Brother Jesse said. We have the future concerning the people of God in writing. There's nothing new to be revealed.
Also.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners SPAKE IN TIME PAST unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:2.
I have had this discussion with a pastor a few years back. He mentions Agabus; who predicted a famine and seemed to think he was off on the prediction. I would hesitate to say that. In any case; clearly a prophet like the one who told Paul that he would go to Jerusalem to die wouldn't win any popularity contests today. Before we attempt to figure out if such an office can exist today; we need to understand that it is not any predictions that are pleasing to a particular political position; national pride; or financial gain of organizations as a prime motive. When we look at Ananias and Sapphira we see another death prediction which with the greed in many circles today it is hard to imagine the fear of God in a place is present at all and when much unbelief exists often the Lord does few things of note. The same could be said of persecution; perhaps if we are not worthy of it God bypasses that as an opportunity for growth.
Surely; during the Tribulation there will be the two prophets on earth. For now; we can certainly say that the canon of scripture is complete (as warnings exist about adding or taking anything away to that book which goes to the eternity future). There are certain things; of course which are conditional when it comes to personal messages as opposed to that of the fate of nations; where God waits until their transgressions are to the full before judgment. ( Daniel 8:23; also see the judgment of Egypt after 400 years; and the Ninevites). A personal prophetic word perhaps would be better defined as a "word of knowledge". Certainly; we can see specific scriptures as applicable to individuals emphasizing a certain message. Only Christ knows the day and hour; when the "restrainer" is removed; thus ushering in the Tribulation when the prophetic manifestations will be in full force. Other than this; of course the many false prophecies; particulary of peace and prosperity are to be expected as Thessalonians bringing in Antichrist.
Should there be prophets/foretellers in a church? The answer is yes. What is/should be their ministry? To give a direct message from God, either to an individual or to the Church itself. How do we sometimes know that a prophesy is not true? It must not contradict the written Word of God. Any revelation, any message by the Holly Spirit, any interpretation of the scripture that doesn't line up with the written Word can not be accepted as true.
I am writting all these because many christians claim that these prophets were not like the ones in the OT. But they are. And they are not teachers. Some christians also insist that all those things were for that ancient time and don't exist any more in the church. But nowhere in the scripture says that they were for those times. They are for all times, just as the whole scripture is for all times. Maybe reject tongues as well. Were tongues for that time too? Were in the scripture says that? Were miracles also for that time? Obviously not. So why prophesying and tongues were for that time? Maybe Baptism in the Spirit was for that time too? Is there according to the scripture an external sign of smb been baptised in the Spirit? Those christians that don't accept tongues wiil tell you no there are not. But if you read the Gospel you will see that tongues is the external sign for it.
So why do we not accept all these? Why don't we get to our Knees and insist in our prayers that God baptises us in His Spirit and talk tongues? You can do that at home. You don't have to go to a specific church. And when all those come to you then what are you going to believe? That they don't exist?
Dear Gina. There is only one way you can find out youself. Try it youself and find out. This is what I recommend to all christians to do. Will God answer back? Definety yes, since this is what He asks us for.
OK, since there are different opinions about this topic let's see what the scripture says about it.
Ephesians 4:11
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, PROPHETS; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and TEACHERS;"
So God gave prophets to the church. There is the idea that these prophets were just teachers. Are they? No, because God gave teachers as well, so prophets must be something different.
Acts 21:8-9
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did PROPHESY."
Where these virgin daughters teachers? Definitely not, women were not allowed to teach in ancient church. They were virgins, that is little girls. So what were they doing? We'll see later.
Acts 21:10-11
"And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain PROPHET, named Agabus.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles"
Is this a foretelling? It obviously is.
Acts 19: 1-7
It is too long to write it, but read carefully verse 6:"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and PROPHESIED." Prophesied? If it means teaching, then to whom they were teaching? To Paul? To theselves?
Please study 1 Corinthians 14. Pay attention to v 24-25
"But if all PROPHESY, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" Does it seem to you that prophesying here means teaching? Obviously not.
So must there be prophets/foretellers in a church?
Giannis GBU And the scripture is very clear that the Testimony of Jesus ( The H.G. ) is the spirit of Prophecy....When he the spirit of truth is come he will TESTIFY of ME... John 15 : 26 kjv....Thus the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy....But that Prophecy has to line up with Scriptures...But it may not line up with doctrine of the early Church...Simply b/c as Paul said when that which is PERFECT is come that which is done in part will be done away with....Most early Church doctrine was all in parts...We know in part we prophecy in part etc...We see like thru a glass darkly... That Image in Dan 2 was all in parts but it had to be done away with...Even tho the head was of gold....And in Rev. 14 God has to send an angel to preach the everlasting Gospel to ALL THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH...Simply b/c of the great abomination of desolation had set in....Its just like Jesus said...I am the light of the world but the NIGHT comes when no man can work...And Elijah has to come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the Children in that last day... Mal. 4 : 6 kjv...Jesus was yet on the cross when he was calling for Elijah to come.
There are many today who claim to be prophets and that they have "new revelation" from God. The sad part is that they share what God supposedly revealed to them, and they tell their congregation things like "God gave me this new revelation to give to you."
Are there prophets today? I would say no, not like the Old Testament prophets. Now, can a person today still prophesy? I believe the answer to that is yes. Here's why I say this. To prophesy simply means to speak the word of God. The prophets of old were given direct prophecy from God and they foretold the future. They were "foretellers."
Since we have the complete written word of God today, and at the end of Revelation, God said to seal up this book of prophecy and He also warned about adding to or taking away from the book of prophecy, there can be no new prophecy today.
I mentioned that the prophets of old were fore-tellers. They foretold the future before it happened. But there is a different word for one who prophesies today, and that person would be a "forth-teller," meaning they take the already written word of God and forth tell the already complete prophecy contained in God's word.
I would say that a person can still prophesy today (speak the already written word of God), but what they speak and claim to be prophecy has to line up with the completed prophecy we have today. If what they are saying comes from revelation given to them from God, and it cannot be found in God's word, that person must be labeled a false prophet!
Amen. Prophecy in the Bible is still ongoing but the last recorded authenticated prophecy was Revelation. To those stating there are prophets beyond John the beloved, I'd ask, "what prophesy are you adding to what's already been told or what do you choose to remove?"
There's a strong warning In Revelation 22: 18&19 to anyone claiming to be a prophet today.
Rev.19:10 . . . " The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." That's the acid test. The reason why this is, is because every born again Christian has in the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said in John 16:13 Hobeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself: but whotsoever he shall hear that he shall speak: and he will shew you things TO COME."
" The testimony of Jesus" is the spirit to fortell the future. The difference between a bible believing Christian and a professing Christian, here is the acid test. DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE YOU ARE GOING WHEN YOU DIE? DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE UNSAVED PEOPLE ARE GOING WHEN THEY DID? DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE ON THIS EARTH IN THE FUTURE? If you are a born again Christian, you know! If you are a Catholic, a Jew, a Protestant, a Buddhist, a Mohammedan, a Taoist, Hindu, liberal, a modernist, neo-orthodox, Campbellite, Russellite, etc. you don't know for sure.
I dont believe there's Prophets today that foretells the future as Brother Jesse said. We have the future concerning the people of God in writing. There's nothing new to be revealed.
Also.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners SPAKE IN TIME PAST unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:2.
God bless.
Surely; during the Tribulation there will be the two prophets on earth. For now; we can certainly say that the canon of scripture is complete (as warnings exist about adding or taking anything away to that book which goes to the eternity future). There are certain things; of course which are conditional when it comes to personal messages as opposed to that of the fate of nations; where God waits until their transgressions are to the full before judgment. ( Daniel 8:23; also see the judgment of Egypt after 400 years; and the Ninevites). A personal prophetic word perhaps would be better defined as a "word of knowledge". Certainly; we can see specific scriptures as applicable to individuals emphasizing a certain message. Only Christ knows the day and hour; when the "restrainer" is removed; thus ushering in the Tribulation when the prophetic manifestations will be in full force. Other than this; of course the many false prophecies; particulary of peace and prosperity are to be expected as Thessalonians bringing in Antichrist.
Should there be prophets/foretellers in a church? The answer is yes. What is/should be their ministry? To give a direct message from God, either to an individual or to the Church itself. How do we sometimes know that a prophesy is not true? It must not contradict the written Word of God. Any revelation, any message by the Holly Spirit, any interpretation of the scripture that doesn't line up with the written Word can not be accepted as true.
I am writting all these because many christians claim that these prophets were not like the ones in the OT. But they are. And they are not teachers. Some christians also insist that all those things were for that ancient time and don't exist any more in the church. But nowhere in the scripture says that they were for those times. They are for all times, just as the whole scripture is for all times. Maybe reject tongues as well. Were tongues for that time too? Were in the scripture says that? Were miracles also for that time? Obviously not. So why prophesying and tongues were for that time? Maybe Baptism in the Spirit was for that time too? Is there according to the scripture an external sign of smb been baptised in the Spirit? Those christians that don't accept tongues wiil tell you no there are not. But if you read the Gospel you will see that tongues is the external sign for it.
So why do we not accept all these? Why don't we get to our Knees and insist in our prayers that God baptises us in His Spirit and talk tongues? You can do that at home. You don't have to go to a specific church. And when all those come to you then what are you going to believe? That they don't exist?
Dear Gina. There is only one way you can find out youself. Try it youself and find out. This is what I recommend to all christians to do. Will God answer back? Definety yes, since this is what He asks us for.
GBU
OK, since there are different opinions about this topic let's see what the scripture says about it.
Ephesians 4:11
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, PROPHETS; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and TEACHERS;"
So God gave prophets to the church. There is the idea that these prophets were just teachers. Are they? No, because God gave teachers as well, so prophets must be something different.
Acts 21:8-9
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did PROPHESY."
Where these virgin daughters teachers? Definitely not, women were not allowed to teach in ancient church. They were virgins, that is little girls. So what were they doing? We'll see later.
Acts 21:10-11
"And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain PROPHET, named Agabus.
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles"
Is this a foretelling? It obviously is.
Acts 19: 1-7
It is too long to write it, but read carefully verse 6:"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and PROPHESIED." Prophesied? If it means teaching, then to whom they were teaching? To Paul? To theselves?
Please study 1 Corinthians 14. Pay attention to v 24-25
"But if all PROPHESY, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" Does it seem to you that prophesying here means teaching? Obviously not.
So must there be prophets/foretellers in a church?
There are many today who claim to be prophets and that they have "new revelation" from God. The sad part is that they share what God supposedly revealed to them, and they tell their congregation things like "God gave me this new revelation to give to you."
Are there prophets today? I would say no, not like the Old Testament prophets. Now, can a person today still prophesy? I believe the answer to that is yes. Here's why I say this. To prophesy simply means to speak the word of God. The prophets of old were given direct prophecy from God and they foretold the future. They were "foretellers."
Since we have the complete written word of God today, and at the end of Revelation, God said to seal up this book of prophecy and He also warned about adding to or taking away from the book of prophecy, there can be no new prophecy today.
I mentioned that the prophets of old were fore-tellers. They foretold the future before it happened. But there is a different word for one who prophesies today, and that person would be a "forth-teller," meaning they take the already written word of God and forth tell the already complete prophecy contained in God's word.
I would say that a person can still prophesy today (speak the already written word of God), but what they speak and claim to be prophecy has to line up with the completed prophecy we have today. If what they are saying comes from revelation given to them from God, and it cannot be found in God's word, that person must be labeled a false prophet!
There's a strong warning In Revelation 22: 18&19 to anyone claiming to be a prophet today.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?