Should Christians be guided by prophecies?

[Dino246]

My understanding is that prophecy are God's words being spoken by a man. There are numerous scriptures in the Bible against adding to God's word (Proverbs 30:6 being one of them). Since the Bible/canon/scriptures are now complete, is it wrong to assume then that by this definition of prophecy there can be no new prophecy since that would be adding to God's word? So in that sense, to be true prophesy, it has to be something God has already spoken and committed to in writing. And if the words cannot be new, the only purpose then would be to apply the existing word to new situations.

Does that make sense?

Words of wisdom and knowledge, however, are not under the same constriction. Their purposes are for guidance and direction as opposed to speaking for God. But, as I've pointed out several times Lauren, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Cor 13:1). So no, every fleeting thought does not qualify. But a fleeting thought that comes back around from another source and does not conflict with scripture - that's a good sign.

Again, maybe it's just semantics. In the details, prophecy is different from wisdom and knowledge, but hey we didn't get to President Trump by paying attention to the details, did we. Most will lump the three into one pile. And in this day and age 'close' is close enough. Technically, no it's not, but perhaps that's just straining at gnats.

Thanks for explaining. I agree with you that the three are different, and I disagree with your understanding of prophecy, but I see no need to argue.

I don't see any sense in Paul exhorting all to desire to prophesy if this is what he meant. I don't see the point of his directions to the Corinthians regarding the judging of prophecy if no prophecy was ever truly given in (as opposed to 'to') the Corinthian church. If these things were not for the whole Church for all time, then why did the Holy Spirit have them recorded? It would make sense that they be in the 'lost letters' of Paul but not in Scripture.

 

[RickyZ]

Whether it is something new, or application of existing to new, if Paul says to seek it out then who are we to argue?

 

[Marcelo]

I thank all of you for your opinions on the subject. My personal opinion is that we can, in some cases, be guided by a prophecy (a revelation given by God through another person), but we can't make a rule out of it. A prophecy must be very specific if it is to be taken seriously.

I've asked your opinions because here in Brazil there is a large denomination (with roots in the Azusa Street Revival) whose members customarily make important decisions according to what they call "the word of God", that is to say, the word preached from their pulpits. Example: before moving home, marrying, etc, they ask God to say "yes" or "no" through the preacher's mouth. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn't.... and when it doesn't the member keeps silent.

I think Christians must be guided by the Holy Spirit most of the time, and guidance through prophecies is just an exception of the rule.

 

[LaurenTM]

Now I am confused. Thought you and Ricky agreed with each other.

so did I

however, Ricky has made it a practice to correct what he thinks I post for some reason even when I agree with him

and yes, you are right when you say wisdom and knowledge words are differentiated

I agreed with his post #36 and I 'liked' it...as did you and a few others...so far so good I thought?

then I quoted that post and responded with:

yes

I about have given up trying to explain the difference in this forum and also the fact that using OT scripture to call yourself or someone else a prophet is just ignoring the fact of the Holy Spirit now indwelling people

I sometimes do get very specific words of knowledge..I'm not comfortable with it actually...thinking about it...but when it happens, the impression is different, very different, then if I just had a certain thought in and of myself

the word 'prophet' is tossed around like a 5 cent coin and most often by those who do not know what they are talking about

apparently that was my first mistake according to him, as he then responded with:

# 49 Just because something is abused is not necessarily reason to dismiss it. Discernment is the key. satan loves nothing more than to see us throw out the baby with the bathwater. That why he works so hard to muddy those waters.

and then, I said this:

# 53

but that is not what I said Ricky

there are no babies lying in the mud here...why would you think I said that?

it almost sounds like you are going on back on what you said regarding the diff between a word of knowledge and prophecy

please don't assume I said what I did not say by omitting what I did say

I said I have at times received very specific words of knowledge...that does not sound like I am poo pooing the gifts to me

I would not leave home without discernment

but was that ok? nope...cause then he responded with

nothing...he did not say ok or I misunderstood you

which was fine...until presidente decided to give me a sermon in post #76 and a sermonette in post 79 and another in post # 89...granted he was polite which is always appreciated to which I basically stated that I do not embrace gifts, but rather the giver...my full responses are recorded

but like I stated, not the first time Ricky seems to take exception to what I state..so apparently agreeing with him rubs him the wrong way too if it is me

notice that even those who strenuously object to the gifts get passed over while myself, who agreed with Ricky, gets a sermon and a correction

nice going fellahs

and I have basically told myself to simply not bother with these prophet, dreamer and gifted threads anymore since I am not allowed to offer any words of caution or mention they have been abused without someone interpreting that to mean I am a cessationist

tired of it

kudos to Blain and Peter who saw what I said and responded favorably

 

[Ariel82]

It's the forums....misunderstanding each other's posts is the norm at the moment.

I want us all to be revolutionaries like Jesus and actually listen and pray before responding.

Maybe we can do a "respect the thread" movement?

(only half joking)

Seriously most on the thread agree that we should test the spirits, pray, and follow the Holy Spirit.

I love reading Miri accounts.

I find them inspiring.

 

[Stephen63]

Ok, teachable moment for those willing to listen.

THERE ARE NO NEW PROPHECIES. Can you find "You will get a job at Walmart" anywhere in the Bible? If not, it is not prophecy. Prophecy uses the existing word of God. There are no new prophecies.

"You will get a job at Walmart" is a word of knowledge (perhaps wisdom). If it is from God it will be confirmed by at least one other witness. And it will not in any way violate scripture. And yes, it is generally delivered privately between individuals and not delivered to an assembly (altho it could be if needed).

Does it make a difference? Eh, some will call it semantics. And in that sense no it doesn't. But then, some will want to know specifics about the subject of prophecy/words of wisdom. It's kinda like asking if your package will be delivered by box truck or semi. It's not terribly important in terms of will your package arrive. But box trucks and semis are built for different purposes, and a mature believer should know the difference between prophecy and words of wisdom/knowledge.

I agree it's a "word of knowledge", but I disagree that it's not prophecy. When looking at the day of Pentecost, & what Joel said, notice that all of these "word of knowledge" & other things prophets did aren't mentioned, yet it's common knowledge that the prophets did these things on a regular basis.

Notice:

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered,“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

What was this? A word of knowledge? A prophecy? Both!

 

[Stephen63]

BTW..... "No new prophecies"? Is the Bible true or not? It doesn't have to be 1. A worldwide prophecy 2. It doesn't have to be added to scripture, it only has to agree with scripture.

 

[LaurenTM]

It's the forums....misunderstanding each other's posts is the norm at the moment.

I want us all to be revolutionaries like Jesus and actually listen and pray before responding.

Maybe we can do a "respect the thread" movement?

(only half joking)

Seriously most on the thread agree that we should test the spirits, pray, and follow the Holy Spirit.

I love reading Miri accounts.

I find them inspiring.

the highlighted above is my take on it also

 

[RickyZ]

so did I

however, Ricky has made it a practice to correct what he thinks I post for some reason even when I agree with him

and yes, you are right when you say wisdom and knowledge words are differentiated

I agreed with his post #36 and I 'liked' it...as did you and a few others...so far so good I thought?

then I quoted that post and responded with:



apparently that was my first mistake according to him, as he then responded with:

# 49 Just because something is abused is not necessarily reason to dismiss it. Discernment is the key. satan loves nothing more than to see us throw out the baby with the bathwater. That why he works so hard to muddy those waters.

and then, I said this:

but was that ok? nope...cause then he responded with



which was fine...until presidente decided to give me a sermon in post #76 and a sermonette in post 79 and another in post # 89...granted he was polite which is always appreciated to which I basically stated that I do not embrace gifts, but rather the giver...my full responses are recorded

but like I stated, not the first time Ricky seems to take exception to what I state..so apparently agreeing with him rubs him the wrong way too if it is me

notice that even those who strenuously object to the gifts get passed over while myself, who agreed with Ricky, gets a sermon and a correction

nice going fellahs

and I have basically told myself to simply not bother with these prophet, dreamer and gifted threads anymore since I am not allowed to offer any words of caution or mention they have been abused without someone interpreting that to mean I am a cessationist

tired of it

kudos to Blain and Peter who saw what I said and responded favorably

My apologies, I didn't realize I was doing that. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

 

[LaurenTM]

really Ricky? really?

then thank you very much and I am glad Ariel brought it up

I truly appreciate your apologies and please accept mine for getting sarcastic in my last response to you

I'm sorry

I'll still be cautious in these types of threads though.....

 

[RickyZ]

I agree it's a "word of knowledge", but I disagree that it's not prophecy. When looking at the day of Pentecost, & what Joel said, notice that all of these "word of knowledge" & other things prophets did aren't mentioned, yet it's common knowledge that the prophets did these things on a regular basis.

Notice:

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered,“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

What was this? A word of knowledge? A prophecy? Both!

BTW..... "No new prophecies"? Is the Bible true or not? It doesn't have to be 1. A worldwide prophecy 2. It doesn't have to be added to scripture, it only has to agree with scripture.

I'm taking another look at these things. Perhaps a tweak is called for. I'll let you know

 

[RickyZ]

really Ricky? really?

then thank you very much and I am glad Ariel brought it up

I truly appreciate your apologies and please accept mine for getting sarcastic in my last response to you

I'm sorry

I'll still be cautious in these types of threads though.....

Few are more sarcastic than me. And if I dish it out, then I ought to be able to take it right?

 

[RickyZ]

Too, you are typically more concise in your posts, as opposed to the wall of words others put up. Maybe I've been going after he easier prey

 

[samuel23]

Prophecy for encourage yes, prophecy for direction no. The apostle Paul rejected prophecy that told him not to go to Jerusalem. I can't think of any place in the NT where a Christian went some place or did something because another prophesied that he was to go their or do that.

 

[RickyZ]

What about the angel's prophecy to Joseph and Mary to take the baby Jesus to Egypt, which fulfilled prophecies about where God would call His Son from?

 

[garee]

Look, a true believer has the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the word of God...we need no man to tell us what God has for us in our lives......I have discovered in my own life that the first premonition is usually from the Holy Spirit and when I second guess I usually hose things up....Study the word, pray and go with your first premonition.....let God handle the rest bro.

Amen . God is no longer bringing any new prophecy as a direct revelation from God. What we had in part up until the last word in Revelation 22 we now have the whole council of God with no laws missing by which we could know Him more adequately.

We are not to add to it or take away from it .

 

[garee]

Duplicate sorry

 

[samuel23]

If I was the earthly father of Jesus and an angel of God told me to do something then I would do it.

 

[LaurenTM]

Few are more sarcastic than me. And if I dish it out, then I ought to be able to take it right?

Too, you are typically more concise in your posts, as opposed to the wall of words others put up. Maybe I've been going after he easier prey

it's nice to be concise...

I don't even read the wall of words...very rarely

thx

I'm really big into spacing though....

 

[presidente]

which was fine...until presidente decided to give me a sermon in post #76 and a sermonette in post 79 and another in post # 89...granted he was polite which is always appreciated to which I basically stated that I do not embrace gifts, but rather the giver...my full responses are recorded

but like I stated, not the first time Ricky seems to take exception to what I state..so apparently agreeing with him rubs him the wrong way too if it is me

notice that even those who strenuously object to the gifts get passed over while myself, who agreed with Ricky, gets a sermon and a correction

nice going fellahs[/QUOTE]
This is a discussion forum. So we discuss stuff like that.

Honestly, I found your post a bit annoying. I gave a lot of Biblical examples regarding how God can lead through prophecy, and you wrote you wouldn't live your life based on a prophecy, if I recall correctly. I was left wondering why my posts, supported by scripture, would be equated with living your life based on a prophecy, and since the Bible is full of prophecy, don'g Christians live their lives based on a prophecy?

I said to embrace the gifts. You said you don't embrace the gifts but the giver. It seemed a bit passive-aggressive to me, honestly. 'Embrace' is loose enough to include 'earnestly desire spiritual gifts'. It seemed like you were looking for some way to disagree when there wasn't much point to disagreeing.

Then there was the part about being the last person to need an education on the topic. I responded to that because... what kind of comment is that to make?

I wouldn't have posted anything about all this, but you posted about how other posters posts annoyed you. I found one of your posts annoying enough to actually remember it so many pages back. But, so what? That happens. This is a discussion forum. We aren't going to agree about every little thing or like every post.