Stephen63;2280842]There's so much being said about what a prophet is supposed to do. What I like to know is where the information is coming from.
It would be easier to say what a prophet didn't do.
Hi Stephen...I actually didn't start the thread for the purpose of discussing what prophets do. It might help if you read the op...or did you read the op?
see, lately a couple of folks here have been telling us all that they are prophets and the rest of us are almost in 100% agreement that they are not, in fact, prophets
one of them, cursed a number of us...myself included...telling me I was going to hell and not heaven because I disagreed he was a prophet...so if you come across any posts that deal with that issue, you might understand why we have called him out
very simply, I am more interested in the warnings in scripture concerning false prophets and teachers and what Jesus and the writers of the NT had to say about that....I am concerned that if someone calls themself a prophet, some believe it is so without even verifying anything, so I started the op
I don't know how much of this thread you may have read and it's getting long now, but the main thrust of some of these self made prophets seems to be that they are above the rest of us and we should take instruction from them and we have no right to judge or correct them because they are prophets and we are not
That's it in a nutshell. I am just very weary of a class of supposed Christian that believe they are somehow indowed with power and the ability to speak for God and we should just be glad and follow.
I think the world is already on fire and the last thing we need are people who are deceived and wish to lead the rest of us down the same path.
Your post seems centered although I do not really have the time right now to really give it credence, but again, the op is not about what prophets do but is actually more about warning those who fail to seek the Lord and who fail to test the spirit behind the so called words etc.
Other than speak in tongues, all the other gifts were there in the OT. They gave words of wisdom, performed miracles, healed people, preached, taught, warned of impending judgement, spoke with authority to kings & religious leaders, & the list goes on & on.
What's surprising is that Jesus had something to say about it..... about all ministries actually, & it has not been listed nor sought out. Note the scripture:
Luke 17:7-10 (NASB) [SUP]7 [/SUP]"Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? [SUP]8 [/SUP]"But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? [SUP]9 [/SUP]"He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? [SUP]10 [/SUP]"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
Genuine humility should be in the forefront of every ministry. These scriptures should be followed as well:
Romans 14:19 (KJV) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
[HR][/HR]1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
[HR][/HR]1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
[HR][/HR]1 Timothy 1:4 (KJV) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
[HR][/HR]Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV) [SUP]11 [/SUP]And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [SUP]12[/SUP]For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [SUP]13 [/SUP]Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [SUP]14 [/SUP]That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [SUP]15 [/SUP]But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [SUP]16 [/SUP]From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Since every believer has the down payment of the Holy Spirit, we should be at the ready for God to do in us as He pleases. Who knows what the church could do IF we all were led by the Holy Spirit as some claim to do & others say it ended with the Apostles. Either way you choose, many have powerless claims, while many others has an unbiblical excuse to never do it.
I think this old saying is needed: "we need to sweep around our own back door". If this isn't suitable, perhaps this OT scripture will fit instead:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Sometimes I think a lot of folks (me included) don't know where we really stand with God in these last days. If we did, maybe we would be busy sweeping around our own back door instead of everybody else's.[/QUOTE]