rlj
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Joined: 4/14/2005
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quote:
I read about a man, considered by some (and himself) to be a prophet. He dreads to close his eyes because of being overwhelmed by dreams and visions. For years he's been in this state. Is this how God operates?
Or is he somehow deceived?
I couldn't let this go I just noticed it. He needs to read where the Apostle Paul stated that the spirit of prophecy is subject to the prophet and gone back to sleep. ; ) If one can use common courtesy and hold it in while someone else speaks then one can just use common sense and hold it in and go back to sleep.
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But then again.. what do we do with those that claim the Prophets of today do not have to be 100% accurate. That they do not have to stand up to the standard God Himself gives in Scripture for what a true Prophet will meet.
If a prophet isn't accurate then what he said obviously wasn't a prophecy. As for the "office" of the prophet of the New Testament being identical to that of the Old Testament I don't believe so. For one thing the Prophets in the Old Testament were often sent to specific leaders and specific areas for a time. Daniel in Iraq and Iran, Elijah and Elisha to Israel, I believe Isaiah spent much time in Israel and Jeremiah spent much time in Judah. There are prophets mentioned in the New Testament but I am not aware of them being associated with any leaders but with the church.
I believe the office of the "prophet" is the same as the office of the "apostle" which is the same as the office of the "evangelist" which is the same as the office of the "pastor" which is the same as the office of the "teacher" they are gifts bestowed upon men (and women) to help the members of the body grow into the fullness and maturity of Christ. If I'm not mistaken most seminaries only recognizes the last two which some theologians and scholars say should only be one. Too many in the body of Christ put too much into the "titles" when it was Paul himself who said "are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?" This being said after he emphasized we are all part of one body. I still honestly and humbly believe a man's fruit determines his giftings and "office".
I do concur with you that too few who believe in the gift of prophecy do believe it is important to judge it. I don't believe that those who speak something incorrectly should be burned at the stake any more than I believe adulterers should be stoned to death and eye for an eye should be the law of the land. Prophecies should be judged on how they line up with the word, on whether or not it comes true (unless it has a conditional element that isn't followed) and those who make mistakes should be corrected. Unfortunately there is very little accountability in the portion of the Church that recognizes it.
I used to love a certain pastor from NYC for example and get his newsletter every 3 weeks. I stopped getting those because I grew weary of his "prophecies" not coming true. Does he have a big church? Does it impact the world positively for Christ? Is he faithful with the monies they get? I believed that he was faithful in those respects but it bothered me that things he was saying as if speaking "prophetically" weren't coming true on a close to consistent basis. If the predictions passed along as "prophecy" aren't coming true then they aren't prophetic and the person needs to stop saying them. No matter how sincere a man or woman is.
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There are no church leaders today whose authority cannot be questioned, or through whom new doctrinal revelations are given to the church, or whose teachings must be accepted by all Christians and regarded as Scripture.
Disregard for this statement is how the Mormon church got started, it is wise.
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"There is no work better than to please God; to pour water, to wash dishes, to be a cobbler, or an apostle, all are one; to wash dishes and to preach are all one, as touching the deed, to please God."
I like your sig wintery. :D
_____________________________
-Roger
This is who I'm voting for. He is from the same party I voted for last time. This is consistent with my belief in the failure of the two party system and my disgust with it.
http://www.baldwin08.com/#
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