|
Post by Alejandro on Mar 15, 2005 13:25:27 GMT -5
I have been reading lately about the ministry of a certain prophet (I am not going to use that person's name), and some things have come up about that person being a false prophet.
If we are to prophesy what God wants his people to hear, and we mix it with our own interpretation, that can no longer be a prophesy, right? Should prophets be established by thier reputations for being right, or being established by God? Or will both of those things occur if that person is ordained by God?
I am no person to judge this person who is accused of being a false prophet. All I do is pray for them and their ministry. But, it concerns me when i see some of the things this person has said, and to hear that some of the things this person has said have not come true.
Does getting one thing wrong make you no longer a prophet?
I hope you all can assist!
Blessings, Alejandro
|
|
|
Post by melinky on Mar 15, 2005 20:55:36 GMT -5
I'll be interested in hearing what the others have to say on this one. I didn't think modern-day prophets, in the true sense of the word, existed. Melinda
|
|
mpethe
Supporting Member
Posts: 62
|
Post by mpethe on Mar 16, 2005 8:09:36 GMT -5
I'll be interested in hearing what the others have to say on this one. I didn't think modern-day prophets, in the true sense of the word, existed. What is the 'true' sense of the word though? Even this is under debate. Some would say that there are different kinds of prophecy in the Bible. Maybe we could distinguish between: Prophecy (capital "P") - authoritative word of God, as in the major Prophets of the Old Testament - God's infallible Word. and prophecy (small "p") - subjective, an impression that the Holy Spirit is wanting to say "x y z" through me to this person, fallible, needs to be tested against scripture. I think you can find both types of prophecy in the Bible. Apparently Wayne Grudem has a good treatment of this subject in his book: The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today. I haven't read it yet, but have heard his basic premise and found it somewhat convincing. But are there 'Prophets' today who speak God's Word infallibly? My answer would be 'no' - not in the same way the writers of the Bible did. "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said." 1 Cor 14:29 Notice that the church is to weigh what is said. I think this means that we measure what is said against the standard of the Bible. If it doesn't line up, there's a problem. Also notice, that we are to weigh what is said and not necessarily to judge the person giving the prophesy. Of course, I would still think we need to be on guard against 'false prophets' - but that's a whole other question. What do you think?
|
|
|
Post by Kenny on Mar 16, 2005 22:31:00 GMT -5
In Deuteronomy it says that if a prophet is sent from God what they say will happen. If they say something is going to happen and it doesn't, then obviously they are not from God. In Deuteronomy, it says stone 'em, but I think we'll forgive them instead, eh? lol
|
|
|
Post by melinky on Mar 16, 2005 23:23:42 GMT -5
mpethe, That made perfect sense to me. I think I was thinking of Prophecy with a Capital "P" when I said, "in the true sense of the word." I was thinking of the major Bible Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. Thank you for clarifying this. Melinda
|
|
|
Post by Alejandro on Mar 17, 2005 18:36:58 GMT -5
Mpethe: I read something like that awhile back. It went something like this: "No matter what a prophets says, it should be supported by the Word of God." I think there are some prophets, mainly because I believe that the Holy Ghost is still acting among us--we just have not seen them on TBN shouting or anything. God be with you, Alejandro
|
|
|
Post by Soulfyre on Mar 19, 2005 15:04:23 GMT -5
Mpethe: I read something like that awhile back. It went something like this: "No matter what a prophets says, it should be supported by the Word of God." I think there are some prophets, mainly because I believe that the Holy Ghost is still acting among us--we just have not seen them on TBN shouting or anything. This issue is why the authority of the church as indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit is such an important issue. In our highly individualistic culture, much of evangelical practice has cut itself off from its ancient roots, and we are left with redefining the wheel. Each local church has become independent, and each church member accountable to his or her own consicence as a final arbiter of truth. Such was not the case in the early church, in which the corporate identity of the people of God and the Holy Spirit's unique ministry within the church existed as an interconnected corporate reality, not viewed with the vagaries of such labels as the "church invisible", but in a Church incarnate, visible and solid, with authority to speak on matters of faith and test the validity of "prophets". It was this Church through whose deliberations as led by the Holy Spirit that gave us our canon of Scripture. Do we have prophets? Probably. Do we have those who are speaking a "new" word from God (on the authoritative level of Holy Scripture)? I'm less comfortable with this assertion. But who can determine this? It has been given to the Church, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. God bless and keep you, Matthew (soulfyre)
|
|