What is a Prophet?

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Num 11: 25-29 When the Spirit was put upon the seventy elders of Israel, the text states, " And as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it". 1 Sam 10: 6-11 Samuel prophesied that when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul, he would "prophesy with them and be turned into another man". Joel 2: 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, ..." 2 Peter 1: 21 For the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit of the Father? Isaiah 63: 9- 10 The Holy Spirit of the Father is the angel (because it can be sent) of His presence, and where the Holy Spirit is, the Father is. Our reality is in the mind of the Father. That is how He has all of those characteristics and powers. He has always existed and transcends time. He is the invisible God and interacts in our reality through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the mind, heart, and power of the invisible God, the Father. It is He who chooses who gets baptized with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of the Father is a means for the Father to enter a being in order to communicate with, enlighten, speak through, change the motivation and heart of, and empower to perform His will. Our access to the Father is through the Son because when the Son ascended back to the Father to get glorified, He received from the Father a glorified spiritual body made up of the spirits of the souls that he baptizes with the Holy Spirit in order to enter their being. The Apostle John shows us that Jesus never did his own will. He never spoke from himself but only what he heard from God, what God wanted him to say. John 7: 16-18; 8: 26, 40; 12: 49-50; 14: 10, 24; 17: 8, 14. He was the prophet God raised up and put His words in his mouth. Deut 18: 18; Acts 3: 22. The same thing pertains to the works he did in his Father's name. John 5: 19-20, 36; 9: 3-4; 10: 32, 37-38; 14: 10; Acts 2: 22. In this way, the Father spoke His words and did His works through Jesus. That is why Jesus was a prophet when on earth as a human.

Numbers 11: 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them!
 
Num 11: 25-29 When the Spirit was put upon the seventy elders of Israel, the text states, " And as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it". 1 Sam 10: 6-11 Samuel prophesied that when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul, he would "prophesy with them and be turned into another man". Joel 2: 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, ..." 2 Peter 1: 21 For the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit of the Father? Isaiah 63: 9- 10 The Holy Spirit of the Father is the angel (because it can be sent) of His presence, and where the Holy Spirit is, the Father is. Our reality is in the mind of the Father. That is how He has all of those characteristics and powers. He has always existed and transcends time. He is the invisible God and interacts in our reality through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the mind, heart, and power of the invisible God, the Father. It is He who chooses who gets baptized with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of the Father is a means for the Father to enter a being in order to communicate with, enlighten, speak through, change the motivation and heart of, and empower to perform His will. Our access to the Father is through the Son because when the Son ascended back to the Father to get glorified, He received from the Father a glorified spiritual body made up of the spirits of the souls that he baptizes with the Holy Spirit in order to enter their being. The Apostle John shows us that Jesus never did his own will. He never spoke from himself but only what he heard from God, what God wanted him to say. John 7: 16-18; 8: 26, 40; 12: 49-50; 14: 10, 24; 17: 8, 14. He was the prophet God raised up and put His words in his mouth. Deut 18: 18; Acts 3: 22. The same thing pertains to the works he did in his Father's name. John 5: 19-20, 36; 9: 3-4; 10: 32, 37-38; 14: 10; Acts 2: 22. In this way, the Father spoke His words and did His works through Jesus. That is why Jesus was a prophet when on earth as a human.
Jesus was indeed the prophet that Moses foretold. All who are born again qualify to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. I was not interested at first. It was only for emotional people, or so I thought. it took me three years to have a change of heart.

The Holy Spirit creates a new spirit in the believer and we are put into Christ. Christ then immerses us in the Holy Spirit, if we are willing. If you want chapter and verse, let me know.
 
The subject of apostles and prophets has come up again. I've replied to this generally. I see nowhere in the the NT that declares that there are no more apostles or prophets. As I said, if those two gifts have ceased, why do we still have evangelists, pastors and teachers? They are included as gifts from Lord Jesus.

What is more difficult is to define what the ministry of the prophet entails. What are the characteristics of a prophet? This might be a little long winded and controversial. Please bear with me.

People seem to focus on the prophet as one who foretells the future. While this may be part of the prophet's ministry, it is not the primary role. For example, my mentor for 30 years was a prophet in the NT sense. He did foretell the future. He foresaw the rise of Islam and its spread over the world. He saw this in the 1970's, years before Islam became the force it is today. But that is only a minor part of the ministry he had.

The purpose of the prophet is to receive revelation directly from God. This is not to add to God's word and it will never contradict God's word. Rather it is to explain God's word in ways that make it easier to understand. We all can enjoy this kind of revelation. But the prophet is one whose life is devoted to it.

For example, my prophet friend and mentor had a revelation from God about unforgiveness. He was saved just after his marriage broke up. He was a wealthy businessman and his ex took everything. He was not quiet about it. And he hated his ex wife with a passion.

His new church friends told him that he had to forgive, but he did not know how. So he sought the Lord and Lord Jesus showed him how. Many people have been greatly helped by that revelation.

How do you recognise a prophet? It's not easy, but these are characteristics.

1. They are not popular. They tend to speak the truth without anything to soften it. No "spoonful of sugar" for that medicine.
2. They have few friends. That's a consequence of being truthful and blunt.
3. They spend hours and hours with God.
4. They discern lies and hypocrisy instantly. Never tell a prophet, "I'm fine" if you are not. You can fool a lot of people, but not the true prophet.
5. They are not infallible. And often they go through great trials. God needs to refine the prophet and trials are one of the main means.

The prophet typically has no public ministry. You will rarely find him or her in the pulpit. Instead, they pour themselves into a few, often only one, who in turn makes it known to others. That individual is the teacher.

Whatever our ministry, and all who are born again have a gift, we need to discover it and walk in it. God decides who does what. Very often our calling is not what we would choose for ourselves. I very much wanted to be an evangelist, Australia's Billy Graham. The last thing I wanted was to be a pastor. I'm not ordained, but God has used me to help people who are in real trouble spiritually.

As an aside, the pastor should be a teacher and the teacher have a pastor's heart also. Teaching without compassion can put people under condemnation. Compassion without truth leaves people without the tools to overcome.
Gods Word says that at the end the Holy Spirit will be poured out and the truth will not be hidden, and many will prophecize and declare His gospel to the world..
 
The point is, all that truly ask, God will give.

You do not get to choose to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist or pastor/teacher. If I got what I asked for, I would be an evangelist. I loved the idea of traveling around the world, preaching like Billy Graham and leaving the local church to take care of the converts. God had other ideas. I'm glad. What God wanted is much better than what I imagined for myself.
 
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Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Act 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.

No person gets more wisdom than another person when it comes to the word of God for He gives every person that asks for wisdom the same ability to understand.

The preacher does not get more knowledge than a common pew sitter.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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.

We do not need any person to teach us but the Spirit will teach us the word of God.

Which all saints can benefit from that.

The Spirit will show all the saints things to come.

Jer 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
Jer 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Jer 7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
Jer 7:27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.
Jer 7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jer 29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

Jer 35:15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Isa 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.

The prophets were sent to warn Israel to turn back to God from their wrongful ways to do what is right and escape punishment.

They dealt with Israel on a larger scale than a priest for they were warning Israel generally as a nation to turn back to God.

Deu 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.

And to always put forth right ways to Israel and promote God at any time like Moses.

Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Now there are no more prophets that are few in number but the Church collectively warns the world to do what is right and turn to God to escape punishment.

Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

All saints are responsible to warn the world for it entails the world like what the prophets did in Israel.

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Luk 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Act 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Jesus is a prophet and the saints are the body of Christ so they have the same responsibility to deal with the world the same as Him.

1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Someone may say I am a prophet but Paul said did the word of God come only unto you.

If anyone thinks they are special all the saints can receive the same.

Prophet
prophētēs
prof-ay'-tace
From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.

A New Testament prophet is a person chosen by God to receive direct revelation, serving to guide, encourage, correct, or strengthen the church through inspired messages, rather than primarily predicting the future.

Their primary role is to edify or build up the church, often bringing God’s perspective to a current situation, providing warning, or offering comfort.

I look at all the saints to be able to know the same as a teacher or prophet for they can all know the same.

But they must specialize in their area to be chosen to deal with the saints.

Like a bishop, pastor, and deacon is chosen to deal with the congregation but the saints can have the same knowledge as them.