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

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Nov 22, 2015
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#41
I agree that in order to grow up as a body we need the gifts operating that the Lord Jesus gave to His church which is the apostle, prophet, evangelists, pastor and teacher.

I also agree that no one is to give a believer direction as far as "Thus saith the Lord - you are to do this and this.." as it was in the OT. The NT prophet is not for the giving of direction for one's life. They can confirm direction that is already in us as we get the witness of the Holy Spirit within us.

These are two different purposes for the prophets of the OT and the NT. We are led now by the Spirit of God because we are His children and He teaches us all things. The NT prophet calls out to who we are in Christ and encourages us to walk after the heart and purposes of God in our lives.

Christ-centered, life-giving prophetic words can bring amazing healing.
 

zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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#42
Usually when a prophet comes to preach at my church I cringe because it's such a fine line. I don't always believe everything they say (or wait until it actually happens to believe it). I don't believe in frauds like Benny Hinn whatsoever but people seem to buy into him. I remember a guy who prophesied that the U.S. Election was going to be cancelled and that Obama will continue to be president, that obviously did not happen. My parents and family member believed him but I being the smart one never believed him from the start and laughed. My question is how do we know whether a prophet is really legit and his or her words are from God? I'm never convinced by any I see but I know they exist out there. How can I distinguish who's fake or not?
the answer is simple :

there are no more prophets.

No More Prophets
No More Prophets | SermonAudio.com

audio 45:56
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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#44
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

God is the One Who gives to His church those who are needed to minister the will of God among men. No man chooses the title apostle or prophet but God places it upon them. Men endeavored to appoint an apostle apart from Gods will and we see they amounted to little in the apostolic church. God appointed Paul and he was very prolific and many souls were added to the kingdom of God.

While a pastor in the modern church is able to prophecy in the church this prophecy is to speak forth the word of God which is the bible not predict future events nor produce new divine revelation.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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#45
Push Satan's agenda.. The body doesn't grow without them!.. The word of God says so
RUBBISH. COMPLETE NONSENSE.

all false prophets and fools that follow them.
the supernatural gifts ceased exactly on schedule.
there's ONE prophet we listen to.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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#46
Push Satan's agenda.. The body doesn't grow without them!.. The word of God says so
If a Christian does not grow it is because they do not feed on the word of God. Following some self appointed prophet or apostle is a prescription for disaster.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
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#47
In the Old Testament, miracles identified that a prophet was from God. In the New Testament there is no longer need for that kind of prophet. I suppose if someone says what the New Testament says, you can say they prophesied, but like the Bible says, prophesies have ceased, tongues have been stilled, now that what was once incomplete is now complete.

We now have the complete word of God, so we no longer need a prophet to tell us what He says, we need only open our bibles and read. If someone comes to you saying that God gave them new information or instruction that is not found in the New Testament, they are either deceiving themselves or you.
that's a possible interpretation.... myself I lean towards things not being complete yet... because we don't know fully...

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#48
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.

If there are no need or apostles today ( which are ones sent by God for a specific purpose of reaching the lost ) or prophets ( which speak of the heart of God to us - there are no more prophets like in the OT ) - there is no need or evangelists, pastors or teachers either.

The truth is we need to be under the influence of all 5 gifts from Christ in order for us to grow up in the body.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
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#49
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'?
let's explore that idea together...

take discerning of spirits... is there ever a time today when that gift is useful?
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
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#50
today's 'prophets' are preachers, those who speak and expound the Word.

just the Bible; it's all we need.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#51
Usually when a prophet comes to preach at my church I cringe because it's such a fine line. I don't always believe everything they say (or wait until it actually happens to believe it). I don't believe in frauds like Benny Hinn whatsoever but people seem to buy into him. I remember a guy who prophesied that the U.S. Election was going to be cancelled and that Obama will continue to be president, that obviously did not happen. My parents and family member believed him but I being the smart one never believed him from the start and laughed. My question is how do we know whether a prophet is really legit and his or her words are from God? I'm never convinced by any I see but I know they exist out there. How can I distinguish who's fake or not?
Its not the person that brings the thoughts of God as prophecy but what the words convey. False prophets add to what the scriptures a says called false prophecy. Therefore if any man today say... Lo is Christ, he revealed this a new or that, when Christ has not spoken, seeing we have the perfect, we are to believe not.

In the end of the matter we do not need any man to teach us, so I would be careful on how we hear and not in respect to the preacher. It’s when His Spirit witnesses to ours that we can in turn cry out Abba, Father.

It is a sign not seen of a person who has been given a new eternal spirit to work in the new heart.

By it the Berean’s , as the Spirit prepared their heart they searched through scripture, as the witness of God ...as He give us ears to hear(the hearing of faith) as to what the Spirit says to the churches or a individual .

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so
 

nowyouseem033

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2014
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#52
Those who disregard an office of grace is deformed part of the body. You can't mature it's impossible.. Yes everyone can have the Holy Spirit but not everyone can operate and be functional without the 5.. He gave gifts,.
Oh please!!! The office of a prophet is occupied even as we speak. His name is Jesus Christ. Just like the office of a priest is occupied. His name is Jesus Christ. Just like the office of a king is occupied. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus is our high priest, prophet and king. I agree that the gifts were given to 'the early church'. For what purpose? For the building up of the body. But now the church has in possession the Word of God and also the gifts were for the critical foundation of the church to which we are building upon. Ephesians 2:22
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#53
let's explore that idea together...

take discerning of spirits... is there ever a time today when that gift is useful?
Is there ever a time when it is not useful ?

We try the Spirits to see if they are of men ,as the things of men, or God as the things of God. . Today if any man says lo is Christ, thus say the lord we are to believe not.

They flunk the test and are shown as antichrists (many) under the lying influence of spirit of the antichrist (singular) Satan the father of lies, the spirit of error, as the one who influences the many antichrists. Human flesh.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now "already is it in the world". 1Jo 4:1
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
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#54
Seriously now... I dont know if I should cringe or laugh.
Of course we need discernment of spirits. We deal with the spiritual realm.
1 John 4
[FONT=&quot]Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 6
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

etc...[/FONT]


let's explore that idea together...

take discerning of spirits... is there ever a time today when that gift is useful?
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#55
Oh please!!! The office of a prophet is occupied even as we speak. His name is Jesus Christ. Just like the office of a priest is occupied. His name is Jesus Christ. Just like the office of a king is occupied. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus is our high priest, prophet and king. I agree that the gifts were given to 'the early church'. For what purpose? For the building up of the body. But now the church has in possession the Word of God and also the gifts were for the critical foundation of the church to which we are building upon. Ephesians 2:22
OK well we shall see in the end!
 
Nov 23, 2016
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#56
Usually when a prophet comes to preach at my church I cringe because it's such a fine line. I don't always believe everything they say (or wait until it actually happens to believe it). I don't believe in frauds like Benny Hinn whatsoever but people seem to buy into him. I remember a guy who prophesied that the U.S. Election was going to be cancelled and that Obama will continue to be president, that obviously did not happen. My parents and family member believed him but I being the smart one never believed him from the start and laughed. My question is how do we know whether a prophet is really legit and his or her words are from God? I'm never convinced by any I see but I know they exist out there. How can I distinguish who's fake or not?
It's easy. If they call themselves a prophet today, they're fake. All this "need" to be somebody or something "special" :(. The Word of God covers every revelation and need we'll ever require. Otherwise, His Word wouldn't be complete. But we know it is :)
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,877
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Germany
#57
God sends the prophets...not the other way around. People dont have to invite so called ''prophets''. If God has something today he will send that person and not the other way
 

EarsToHear

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2016
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#58
By it aligning with God's Word and coming true. For example, Matthew 27:46 and Psalm 22, which was written about 1,000 yrs. before the fact
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#59
I disagree. I have had a Prophet say things to me that are impossible to come by any means other than God.. He obviously being a Prophet, hears from God. Let's educate ourselves by God before we tell people what we think
It's easy. If they call themselves a prophet today, they're fake. All this "need" to be somebody or something "special" :(. The Word of God covers every revelation and need we'll ever require. Otherwise, His Word wouldn't be complete. But we know it is :)
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#60
Some are all to eager to shut down the works of God..