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

[Grace777x70]

2 people reminded you that he referred to himself as an apostle in his letters

yet, you say this:



what is actually obvious, is you thinking you dodged a bullet

you were wrong

it happens

get over it.......

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....

Here is my post again so you can see the "context".


Personally I don't see anywhere in the NT where people called themselves by their title/function. Paul never called himself Apostle Paul nor did he call Titus - "Apostle Titus".

I don't agree with people calling themselves by a title because of their function in the body of Christ : Prophet Pat, Apostle Adam and in the same token this applies to Pastor Peter or Evangelists Evan.

We are so religiously trained today to think it is different if someone calls themselves Apostle Pat and we attack them for that and yet in our hypocrisy we have no problem calling someone Pastor so-and-so.

I don't think any of us should be named a title myself but I don't attack others for doing it. If we want to be 1/2 way honest - if we attack and denigrate those that call themselves by their title - like Apostle Adam or Prophet Pat - then we should do the same for Pastor so-and so or Evangelists so-and-so.

 

[Grace777x70]

sure it's important

it's important to admit you were wrong...LOL!

honestly? it is right in front of you...it's a little embarrassing you keep saying you were right when you were wrong

I know the real reason you are doing this but to humor you - I will play your game just this once. I know you like games...

Show me one place in scriptures where Paul used the term "Apostle Paul" as a formal title - not his function in the body of Christ...as a title name.

Here is a list of every scripture in the NT with apostle and Paul in it.

Rom. 1:1 1 Cor. 1:1 2 Cor. 1:1 Gal.1:1 Eph. 1:1 Col. 1:1 1 Tim. 1:1 2 Tim. 1:1 and lastly Titus 1:1

In one of these does he give him self the formal title of Apostle Paul - although he was an apostle with the first name of Paul.

I have been talking about " formal title names"......like some do today when you see their advertisements for their meetings "Apostle Jake" will be speaking.

Instead of the alternative which would be "Jake who is an apostle" - like the way that Paul said in in all his writings.

I don't know how much plainer I can make this.

 

[LaurenTM]

I do not agree,

Prophets were sent to give warning, and to tell the people Gods word.

They used prophesy to prove they were real prophets.. There were many prophets.

I do not think prophets today are any different, Now should we treat them any different (if there are even prophets in the true sense today)

I will be honest, someone comes telling me their are a prophet, and telling me something I need to know the scripture does not already tell me. I am running.

what need has god to tell me something his word does already tell me.

okay

interesting since I have said over and over stay away from 'prophets' saying God told me to tell you

anyway, the NT teaches about the applications and functions of prophets

 

[LaurenTM]

I know the real reason you are doing this but to humor you - I will play your game just this once. I know you like games...

oh you do? squeals with delight and prepares to win

Show me one place in scriptures where Paul used the term "Apostle Paul" as a formal title - not his function in the body of Christ...as a title name.

that hair is split so fine, folks are going bald...am I winning so far?

I have been talking about " formal title names"......like some do today when you see their advertisements for their meetings "Apostle Jake" will be speaking.

oh no...I'm dressed inappropriately...I will have to rent something more 'formal'

formal vs calling yourself the same thing in a letter...gonna go see if I have any 222's

Instead of the alternative which would be "Jake who is an apostle" - like the way that Paul said in in all his writings

I've looked and looked and I cannot find anywhere Jake is in the Bible? I thought Paul's first name was Saul?

gee this formal stuff is challenging, eh?

I don't know how much plainer I can make this.

well, you won't know until you try


so how long have you had the gift of discernment? seeing as you know the real reason and I like to play games

you are in denial...but I mean that in a nice playful way of course.....

if nothing, I co-operated with your assessment so you would not be wrong...see?

 

[dcontroversal]

My concern is why the need for a prophet today? Whats the point? The only prophet we ought to be listening to is Jesus Christ who spoke about whats to come. The Word of God is enough to answer any concerning questions one might have. I will say it again and again you have no need for a prophet because you have the Word of God to direct you in life. You also have the spirit of God dwelling inside you and the church of Jesus Christ to encourage and help you. So come again why the need for this so called 'prophet'?

Amen and another good point......agree with this!

 

[Grace777x70]

oh you do? squeals with delight and prepares to win



that hair is split so fine, folks are going bald...am I winning so far?



oh no...I'm dressed inappropriately...I will have to rent something more 'formal'

formal vs calling yourself the same thing in a letter...gonna go see if I have any 222's



I've looked and looked and I cannot find anywhere Jake is in the Bible? I thought Paul's first name was Saul?

gee this formal stuff is challenging, eh?



well, you won't know until you try


so how long have you had the gift of discernment? seeing as you know the real reason and I like to play games

you are in denial...but I mean that in a nice playful way of course.....

if nothing, I co-operated with your assessment so you would not be wrong...see?

LOL..that was good and funny too! Thanks for the laugh. I am signing out for the night. "Prophet Grace777x70" over and out...lol

Bless you and have a great night!

 

[samuel23]

I have listened to prophecy for years and in most cases you will be closer to the truth if you believe the opposite of what they are saying. I see many Christians wanting a special word from the Lord about what is going to happen in the future. Except in rare cases we are not going to get a special word...we just have to walk by faith. Because Christians are listening for a voice to tell them something, this places them in just the right position for Satan to deceive. Many books could be written about Christians who thought they were hearing from God, but were not.

 

[LaurenTM]

I have listened to prophecy for years and in most cases you will be closer to the truth if you believe the opposite of what they are saying. I see many Christians wanting a special word from the Lord about what is going to happen in the future. Except in rare cases we are not going to get a special word...we just have to walk by faith. Because Christians are listening for a voice to tell them something, this places them in just the right position for Satan to deceive. Many books could be written about Christians who thought they were hearing from God, but were not.

with particular reference to the highlighted sentence ^^^^^^ could not agree more

 

[RickyZ]

My concern is why the need for a prophet today? Whats the point? The only prophet we ought to be listening to is Jesus Christ who spoke about whats to come. The Word of God is enough to answer any concerning questions one might have. I will say it again and again you have no need for a prophet because you have the Word of God to direct you in life. You also have the spirit of God dwelling inside you and the church of Jesus Christ to encourage and help you. So come again why the need for this so called 'prophet'?

Amen and another good point......agree with this!

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.

 

[RickyZ]

I have listened to prophecy for years and in most cases you will be closer to the truth if you believe the opposite of what they are saying. I see many Christians wanting a special word from the Lord about what is going to happen in the future. Except in rare cases we are not going to get a special word...we just have to walk by faith. Because Christians are listening for a voice to tell them something, this places them in just the right position for Satan to deceive. Many books could be written about Christians who thought they were hearing from God, but were not.

Yeah, just like many books could be written about false healers and false tonguers and false this and that. You know, there are a lot of people who go around pretending they're cops. Does that mean the everyone who puts on that uniform is a fraud?

 

[garee]

Interesting... may ask you what the word of God is to you and what it's purpose is?

Its God’s who has no form, revelation to us. How beautiful are the feet that He sends out with His word.

if in fact a prophet is one who simply speaks fathers heart for what purpose do you think God uses such children today?

Reveal the heart of our Father.

Is it to give a prophecy of tomorrow? is it to speak God's will? is it to edify encourage and build up his church even if given in the form of correction? is it all of the above?

Prophecy is the word of God, prophecy is prophecy, whether it reveals that ahead or that which is behind. God is no longer bringing any new prophecy. In that way it is all of the above.

To prophesy is simply to declare that which is written.

Adding meaning to a word can change the direction. Just as we are not to add new prophecy to the whole which we do have, we are not to add to a word (single), in that way it can diminish the purpose for which He does sends it.

 

[Simeon]

I have been talking about " formal title names"

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.

 

[PeterJens]

Is prophecy mainly a warning of judgement and problems, and the role of the
prophet is a watchman warning of incoming harm and damage that the people
will have to endure?

Is a lot of modern day prophecy about false success and blessing which simply
does not materialise? What does this say about the optimistic speakers who
falsely take the authority of God on their shoulders as if this has value.

 

[LaurenTM]

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.

Great!

someone else sees it...LOL!

 

[LaurenTM]

Yeah, just like many books could be written about false healers and false tonguers and false this and that. You know, there are a lot of people who go around pretending they're cops. Does that mean the everyone who puts on that uniform is a fraud?

without prejudice:

that's not what he said

I agree with what he said...he did not say there were no more prophets or whatever

he said, what I have said and people who are awake say, (actually I think you would agree), that MANY people think they are hearing God when it is not God!

and that's the truth...no one can deny it unless they are in the middle of deception themselves!

 

[LaurenTM]

you know, it seems to me, that if something is true...you can shake it, stretch it, jump on it, and throw it around and it will still come out true

I am never afraid to do that

why are some people so AFRAID of putting what they believe under a microscope?

that alone, sends out red flags IMO

God is not afraid of questions ...He can take it...

 

[Grace777x70]

There is also something spiritual in fighting with a real prophecy from God ( delivered through our brethren ) to ourselves - as Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight with the prophecies given "concerning" him.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NASB)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,

[SUP]19 [/SUP] keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

If we are afraid of prophecies or discount them - we could be losing out on the word of the Lord for our situation.

These words from the Lord will keep our faith solid - our conscience good and protect us from having our faith shipwrecked on the rocky shoals of life.

We shouldn't be throwing the baby out with the dirty water as we will be grieving the Holy Spirit. Hold to those things spoken which are good and stay away from those things spoken that are evil. We live in the New Covenant now in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NASB)
[SUP]19 [/SUP] Do not quench the Spirit;

[SUP]20 [/SUP] do not despise prophetic utterances.

[SUP]21 [/SUP] But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

[SUP]22 [/SUP] abstain from every form of evil.

 

[Stephen63]

Following a self-appointed pastor or teacher is a prescription for disaster. Following any man for themselves is a accident waiting to happen. Follow the Lord that is in them confirming the witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit to Christ Himself and what He has done.

I agree. That's why I'll NEVER follow some nut like Joseph Prince or Kenneth Copeland, or those in the lazy-grace movement. Such act like self-appointed Apostles, constantly pushing their doctrine down people's throats like Jehovah's Witnesses does. They will meet their judgement just like the JW's will.

 

[hornetguy]

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.

 

[hornetguy]

Why did you say 'not every prophesy is of God." If the whole Bible is the 'Word of God' ???????????????????

because John himself said so.....

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.