How does one know whether a prophet or prophecy is of and/or from God?

[Stephen63]

I will try once more..... I will repeat it so that hopefully you can see what was really said. I never said that Paul was not an apostle nor that "he said he was an apostle".

I said that he never gave himself the title of "Apostle Paul" like some do today. Their name is Apostle so-and-so. or Prophet so-and-so. I am not talking about their function but a "title name".


Do you understand what I am saying? - if not then just forget it then....

Lots of people don't understand you..... don't blame Lauren for it.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Just the fact that the Bible says there are and will be prophets, and to covet it, I think points to God feeling that prophets are needed. Where the Bible says it's to edify the assembly of believers I think points also to why they are needed. Sure anyone can look up the word of God in their own personal book but that doesn't mean they can apply it correctly (as is so well evidenced among these threads). Prophecy today takes the existing word of God and applies it to current situations for people who weren't around for when it was first uttered.

Prophecy is needed to help the existing word of God to be properly applied to today's people and situations. And prophecy requires prophets to bring it.

That would be called "teachers" or "pastors" or people who have the gift of "discipleship"

not prophets..

 

[eternally-gratefull]

To prophesy is simply to declare that which is written.

That would make anyone who reads the word, and declares it a prophet....

Just saying.

 

[Grace777x70]

I only read through page 1, but thought I'd give my thoughts...

I do NOT believe that God calls anyone to prophesy about elections, the stock market, wars, etc....

If there is a "predictive" type of prophecy, it should only be in regard to the church, and things pertaining to the body of Christ.

I believe most prophecy is more as one of the previous posters mentioned... more of a Spirit led revealing of scripture that will clarify or enhance a discussion, or study.

Predicting the future is best left up to the circus sideshow type people.

I'm like you in that there seems to be every dog wanting to say something about the future. However there is a legitimate speaking of things coming but it has to be by the Spirit and not ourselves.

Here is an example of a New Testament prophet speaking by inspiration of the Spirit concerning a future event that was coming to the land. This prepared the saints to start taking collections up for the saints in one specific area.

Acts 11:27-29 (NASB)
[SUP]27 [/SUP] Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

[SUP]28 [/SUP] One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.


[SUP]29 [/SUP] And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.

 

[LaurenTM]

Lots of people don't understand you..... don't blame Lauren for it.

sorry

but I bust out laughing on this one

not taking sides

well, maybe this time....

 

[garee]

That would make anyone who reads the word, and declares it a prophet....

Just saying.

Yes.Not adding to it.

 

[LaurenTM]

That would make anyone who reads the word, and declares it a prophet....

Just saying.

they better not read where Judas hanged himself and then turn to 'now go thou and do likewise'

that was a joke years ago

it went like this:

some guy wanted to hear from God and he prayed and said "I'm going to turn to the Bible and I will believe you are speaking to me God!"

so, he opened his Bible and sure 'nuff...his eyes landed on that verse about Judas hanging himself

he jumped back...startled...shook his head and said I must have not heard right...so he flipped open the Bible again and this time his eyes landed on 'now go thou and do likewise'

that is EXACTLY how some Christians play around with their Bibles and think they heard from God

 

[eternally-gratefull]

they better not read where Judas hanged himself and then turn to 'now go thou and do likewise'

that was a joke years ago

it went like this:

some guy wanted to hear from God and he prayed and said "I'm going to turn to the Bible and I will believe you are speaking to me God!"

so, he opened his Bible and sure 'nuff...his eyes landed on that verse about Judas hanging himself

he jumped back...startled...shook his head and said I must have not heard right...so he flipped open the Bible again and this time his eyes landed on 'now go thou and do likewise'

that is EXACTLY how some Christians play around with their Bibles and think they heard from God

sadly pastors do this also.

"God layed this on my heart today, Cough, Cough..."hellfire and brimestone" Or you need to give give give.. or "whatever he has on his mind that weak"

 

[LaurenTM]

sadly pastors do this also.

"God layed this on my heart today, Cough, Cough..."hellfire and brimestone" Or you need to give give give.. or "whatever he has on his mind that weak"

is that misspelling of 'week' as 'weak' a Freudian slip?

cause they do pray on the weak, the young and the blissfully ignorant of God's word

manipulation is considered as witchcraft in scripture...keep it up long enough, and you invite spiritual company that will have to be dealt with if you decide to 'repent' (change your mind about your behavior and agree with God)

 

[garee]

they better not read where Judas hanged himself and then turn to 'now go thou and do likewise'

that was a joke years ago

it went like this:

some guy wanted to hear from God and he prayed and said "I'm going to turn to the Bible and I will believe you are speaking to me God!"

so, he opened his Bible and sure 'nuff...his eyes landed on that verse about Judas hanging himself

he jumped back...startled...shook his head and said I must have not heard right...so he flipped open the Bible again and this time his eyes landed on 'now go thou and do likewise'

that is EXACTLY how some Christians play around with their Bibles and think they heard from God

A prophet is one that simply declares the word of God. Judas rejected it. Making him a false prophet.

Adding to a word can change the meaning intended .

It is like the word Apostle meaning "sent one" with no other meaning added. If we are part of the great commission as those sent into the world with the gospel we are considered apostles/ prophets. False apostles are false prophets

Moses was an apostle(sent one) .It is just not a word used in the Old testament.

Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

is that misspelling of 'week' as 'weak' a Freudian slip?

cause they do pray on the weak, the young and the blissfully ignorant of God's word

manipulation is considered as witchcraft in scripture...keep it up long enough, and you invite spiritual company that will have to be dealt with if you decide to 'repent' (change your mind about your behavior and agree with God)

Maybe it was a prophesy, A word God spoke through my fingers, that I did not even know what I was typing so you could bring up how they hurt the "weak"..........

lol.. It was just a mistake

 

[LaurenTM]

A prophet is one that simply declares the word of God. Judas rejected it. Making him a false prophet.

Adding to a word can change the meaning intended .

It is like the word Apostle meaning "sent one" with no other meaning added. If we are part of the great commission as those sent into the world with the gospel we are considered apostles/ prophets. False apostles are false prophets

Moses was an apostle(sent one) .It is just not a word used in the Old testament.

Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

oh good grief

and who stole YOUR sense of humor?

loosen up...have a snickers or something........

 

[LaurenTM]

Maybe it was a prophesy, A word God spoke through my fingers, that I did not even know what I was typing so you could bring up how they hurt the "weak"..........

lol.. It was just a mistake

no

it is obvious you have a gift there...but don't let it turn into 'automatic' writing...cause that is not God!

yeah...I know it was a mistake...you make them often enough...on your phone is it?

small keybored....(catch it!)

 

[eternally-gratefull]

A prophet is one that simply declares the word of God.

Um, No it goes much deeper than this, Prophet actually spoke as God gave them utterance.. If i just speak a word already written, I am not a prophet, and If I teach that word (try to explain what it means) I am a teacher.

Just speaking the word of God does not make one a prophet.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

no

it is obvious you have a gift there...but don't let it turn into 'automatic' writing...cause that is not God!

yeah...I know it was a mistake...you make them often enough...on your phone is it?

small keybored....(catch it!)

lol, fingers move faster than my eyes, and I hit send before I proof read it, Sometimes I catch it (you will see I have alot of edits) sometimes I do not..

ps. I am not an english major, I actually did better in Spanish in High School..lol

 

[LaurenTM]

lol, fingers move faster than my eyes, and I hit send before I proof read it, Sometimes I catch it (you will see I have alot of edits) sometimes I do not..

ps. I am not an english major, I actually did better in Spanish in High School..lol

Si si señor

 

[hornetguy]

oh you do? squeals with delight and prepares to win

wasn't that what Hillary did on Nov 7th?

sorry.. this is in NO way comparing you to that....um.... person....I could just picture her doing that...

 

[Stephen63]

Numbers 11 ​

24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. Also, he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and stationed them around the tent. 25Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. 26But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. 27So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” 30Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel.

Moses had the mind of God. He even stood between God & Israel, putting his life on the line. Just like Jesus. He even says that God will send "another prophet" "like unto me", speaking of Jesus.

Moses showed he knew God's will when he said Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!

Joel prophesied the exact same thing WOULD happen!

On the day of Pentecost, Peter confirmed it DID happen!

But..... they spoke in tongues..... Noooo, people say, that's not prophesying

But, Paul stated that tongues + interpretation = prophecy.

Don't you people get it? Can you put 2& 2 together?

A prophet is an individual that SPEAKS FOR GOD. Don't put a superspiritual definition to prophets & place them on a pedestal nobody can reach.

A message in tongues & interpretation..... WHO'S SPEAKING?
A word of knowledge..... WHO'S SPEAKING?
Fore telling..... WHO'S SPEAKING?
Forth telling..... WHO'S SPEAKING?
Dreams & visions..... WHO'S SHOWING THIS?
Miracles..... WHO'S DOING THIS?
Healings..... WHO'S DOING THIS?

The prophets of the OT preached taught, trained other prophets, counseled with kings, ANYTHING the others didn't do. ANYWHERE where God needed a mouthpiece.

Minor prophets of the OT mostly spoke, & saw visions & dreams.
Major prophets did almost all these things mentioned above & more.

Get a grip on this.....ALL SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVERS SHOULD BE PROPHETS! When we go into all the world, WHO ARE WE SPEAKING FOR?

When we are told "not to worry about what we will say, for the Holy Ghost will show you what to say," WHO WILL SPEAK?

ALL WILL PROPHESY..... your kids, slaves, the elderly, everybody. WHO told Joel to say it?

The reason we don't fulfill this truth..... ignorance, listening to others, not willing, not available. "We don't do that anymore" comes to mind.

With Moses' witness, Joel's witness, Peter's confirmation, & Paul's teaching on it to the church, GUESS WHAT WE DON'T FIND? An expiration date.

 

[hornetguy]

Wouldn't that qualify as a perfect example of the falacy known as " moving the goal posts" ?

as in

"nobody call themselve by their title in the NT"

"well, paul did in romans, 1 corynthians, etc..."

" oh dear, you are guilty of a crude misunderstanding, i never meant title, I meant formal title. nobody call themselves by their formal title in the bible..."


laurentTM I think you win that round. grace777, we need to be more carefull about not indulging in falacies like this, nobody benefits from them.

I don't know.... I can see what G777 was saying.... I'm pretty sure I never heard Paul refer to himself as "Apostle Paul" as a title... such as when he was signing off on his letters

[SUP]17 [/SUP][SUP][s][/SUP]I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. [SUP]18 [/SUP]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

although in his opening statements in his letters, as a way of identification of his qualifications/status, he says basically, "this is from me, Paul, an apostle of Jesus". To him, apparently, it was who he was, but it wasn't a "title" to him.

I can see the distinction, as I suspect most of us can... and it certainly isn't worth developing any heartburn over..

Let's all greet one another with a holy kiss, and move along...

 

[garee]

oh good grief

and who stole YOUR sense of humor?

loosen up...have a snickers or something........

Sorry, Thanks