Could you have a false prophet for a Pastor?
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That is a very strange and bizarre statement. BTW "Bible" should be capitalized.
The whole world desperately needs the Bible at this time. Particularly the warnings to those who are not saved. Particularly the book of Revelation, since the reign of the Antichrist is around the corner.
Getting back to the title of this thread, pastors are not prophets and vice versa. But there are indeed false teachers and false prophets all around us (some on Christian forums). How does one refute them? WITH THE BIBLE. Just like Jesus of Nazareth (in the wilderness) refuted the devil with the Word of God (which is the Sword of the Spirit).
The whole world desperately needs the Bible at this time. Particularly the warnings to those who are not saved. Particularly the book of Revelation, since the reign of the Antichrist is around the corner.
Getting back to the title of this thread, pastors are not prophets and vice versa. But there are indeed false teachers and false prophets all around us (some on Christian forums). How does one refute them? WITH THE BIBLE. Just like Jesus of Nazareth (in the wilderness) refuted the devil with the Word of God (which is the Sword of the Spirit).
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The word "Bible" or "bible" is not in the bible. Bible is a man-made word. We take our cues from the bible only.
I "somewhat slightly" agree to a part of the statement you made in bold. But can you find those ideas in the bible. You see ultimately it is not what we think the world needs, but rather what God thinks.
He has given his thoughts to us throughout the entire bible but they can confuse us as there is much stumbling blocks in the bible, therefore the reason for his His Spirit of Truth which enlightens us to the way that we should walk.
We are to live and walk in the spirit and that is how we know his will and what we are to do.
You are tempting me to give a discourse on the way of Christianity. But I will not take the bait as I realize through discernment that we both follow two extremely different paths.
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When you teach, you can also be sharing. But not necessarily.
But when you share you are not teaching.
I can only share something that I have.
If I have a piece of bread, I can break it into 2 pieces and share it with someone. The bread is mine and I chose to share it with a friend or whoever.
Now God can send a donkey to teach a prophet. (For example the story of Baalam)
God even sent Baalam to teach the King of Moab God's ways. Balaam was not sharing as his heart was evil and wicked. He could not share something that he did not have. It was God's spirit who entered Balaam and caused him to speak the words that he spoke. Thus, Balaam was teaching them that God would not permit him to curse the children of Israel. Those were God's words, not Balaam's words.)
This also teaches us that we have to be sent in order to teach or preach the word of God.
Now I am only sharing my testimony.
Sharing in the sense of sharing my testimony of God in my life. That is also synonymous of being a light to the world.
(It is very difficult to be a light over the internet as the bible states that by their works ye shall know them. Nobody can see our works over the internet. As I said before we could be corresponding with a devil over the internet without knowing it.)
(Of course that could be done in real life as well, person to person, as the bible says that Satan comes as an angel of light)
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The end result is "Buyer beware", as both the false teacher and his follows will fall into the same hole or pit.
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
But when you share you are not teaching.
I can only share something that I have.
If I have a piece of bread, I can break it into 2 pieces and share it with someone. The bread is mine and I chose to share it with a friend or whoever.
Now God can send a donkey to teach a prophet. (For example the story of Baalam)
God even sent Baalam to teach the King of Moab God's ways. Balaam was not sharing as his heart was evil and wicked. He could not share something that he did not have. It was God's spirit who entered Balaam and caused him to speak the words that he spoke. Thus, Balaam was teaching them that God would not permit him to curse the children of Israel. Those were God's words, not Balaam's words.)
This also teaches us that we have to be sent in order to teach or preach the word of God.
Now I am only sharing my testimony.
Sharing in the sense of sharing my testimony of God in my life. That is also synonymous of being a light to the world.
(It is very difficult to be a light over the internet as the bible states that by their works ye shall know them. Nobody can see our works over the internet. As I said before we could be corresponding with a devil over the internet without knowing it.)
(Of course that could be done in real life as well, person to person, as the bible says that Satan comes as an angel of light)
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The end result is "Buyer beware", as both the false teacher and his follows will fall into the same hole or pit.
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
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Also Jonah is a prime example of the problem of sharing and teaching.
Jonah was sent but he was not about to teach or share anything to the Ninevites, because he knew of their evil ways. (He possibly wanted God to destroy them.)
But when you are sent by God you have to go. (The belly of the whale would convince Jonah that he had to go)
Paul who was persecuting the Christians also had to go. (because he was sent)
Even after Jonah had gone and spoken the word of God, he was mad, because he did not want to see them saved.
"Sent" by God and "teaching" or preaching goes hand in hand and I do not know of a case where they can be separated.
God's word does not return to him void.
Jonah was sent but he was not about to teach or share anything to the Ninevites, because he knew of their evil ways. (He possibly wanted God to destroy them.)
But when you are sent by God you have to go. (The belly of the whale would convince Jonah that he had to go)
Paul who was persecuting the Christians also had to go. (because he was sent)
Even after Jonah had gone and spoken the word of God, he was mad, because he did not want to see them saved.
"Sent" by God and "teaching" or preaching goes hand in hand and I do not know of a case where they can be separated.
God's word does not return to him void.
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I think maybe if you have not been following the discussion you probably will be lost.
I don't want to rehash the whole discussion, so I will just state the issue or main point.
I contend that sharing is as different from teaching as day is from night.
sharing is about telling someone what you believe. Whether Muslim, Christian or Hindu and possible details of why you believe what you do.
Teaching in Christianity cannot be done truthfully unless you are sent or commissioned by God.
The reason for so many false prophets today is because God has not sent them to teach. If God sends you to teach, he will equip you with all that you need to teach the truth. False prophets are not sent by God. They are of the Devil.
I don't want to rehash the whole discussion, so I will just state the issue or main point.
I contend that sharing is as different from teaching as day is from night.
sharing is about telling someone what you believe. Whether Muslim, Christian or Hindu and possible details of why you believe what you do.
Teaching in Christianity cannot be done truthfully unless you are sent or commissioned by God.
The reason for so many false prophets today is because God has not sent them to teach. If God sends you to teach, he will equip you with all that you need to teach the truth. False prophets are not sent by God. They are of the Devil.
There you go again with another bizarre statement. Sharing the Gospel (or any Bible truth) by definition includes teaching. One would have to refer to certain Scriptures and then expound on them. Take John 3:16 and a Muslim who has never heard this verse. What are you going to do after quoting it? If you do not teach what it means, it will remain a mystery to the Muslim. Just like Philip taught the Ethiopian the contents of Isaiah 53 Christians are obligated to share and teach all at the same time.
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That is the state of the world today.
But I am not looking for a prophet, I am looking for a relationship with my God and Father.
Even if one was to find a true prophet, which I doubt he could, then he would have to steal or plagiarize the material of the prophet for your own.
And he would end up being a thief.
No liar, thief or doubter can enter into the kingdom of God.
Even if a person had the same exact belief that I have, I would not get excited about it, because that is between him and his God.
The bible told of one who entered a feast, meant only for those who were saved. And he was thrown out because he entered through the back door.
I am not trying to scare anyone, but what's being taught or promulgated today about the Christian or follower of God are mostly lies. The truth will be called a lie and a lie the truth.
But I am not looking for a prophet, I am looking for a relationship with my God and Father.
Even if one was to find a true prophet, which I doubt he could, then he would have to steal or plagiarize the material of the prophet for your own.
And he would end up being a thief.
No liar, thief or doubter can enter into the kingdom of God.
Even if a person had the same exact belief that I have, I would not get excited about it, because that is between him and his God.
The bible told of one who entered a feast, meant only for those who were saved. And he was thrown out because he entered through the back door.
I am not trying to scare anyone, but what's being taught or promulgated today about the Christian or follower of God are mostly lies. The truth will be called a lie and a lie the truth.
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During the 1st Century, the only thing done in the synagogues was the reading of the scriptures.
Jesus himself went into the synagogue, as was his custom, on the Sabbath day and read the scriptures and then he sat down.
Jesus also stated my sheep hear my voice and follows after me, another voice ( a voice of a stranger) will they not follow.
Men with Phd's or Rhode scholarships, who are not called, will never be able to understand the bible. The Jews who were given the oracles of God for centuries could not understand the scriptures. That is why the scriptures say - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)
When the gospel was first preached by Jesus, there were no scrolls, no bibles, no pamphlets. In fact the gospel was news and good news.
Paul even said, he did not confer with Jesus's disciples about anything, he claimed to have gotten it from God directly.
I would prefer not to pursue this topic of sharing and teaching any further as it has been stalemated. I am sure most people have not read or understood most of what I have written and are just picking up bits and pieces to start an argument.
Lastly because there were no bibles with the complete word of God in the 1st Century, God had to provide teachers, because the good new was completely new material to everyone even to the teachers of the law, many who did not believe it.
Today the bible is given away free and is in most homes and has been around for centuries. If a person never heard the name Jesus or heard of the bible, I would say that he has not been called by God. And God is the one who saves.
Referring back to what you said that Christians are obligated to teach, then that means that Jehovah Witness's, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Calvinists, Catholics, the Christians in the days of slavery who believed in keeping slaves, based on their bible interpretation of slavery etc, etc, etc, maybe hundreds of different sects of Christianity should teach and teach they are doing.
I guess you got what you asked for.
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I agree with you mostly.
Although I differ in one respect. Only the Holy Spirit teaches, today. John wrote his book as one of the last book of the bible, just before Revelation.
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
The last days had started and we are still in those days.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The Anointing is the Holy Spirit of God.