What is the point in being a prophet?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Mar 29, 2023
268
42
28
That has nothing to do with what I said. Again, the gifts of the Spirit are not for personal gain. They are for the building up of the body of Christ. The terrible sin of so many these days, is that they 'use' the gifts for gain. There will be a day of reckoning for that.
It's exactly the same.

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

If I prophesied for money, people would call me evil and Balaam. If I used the spiritual gift of healing for money, people would call me evil. If I charged money for the lost to hear the Gospel, people would call me evil. But if someone uses their calling as a pastor to get paid, well, that's alright (no, it's not).

But I digress. I've said all I need to say on the matter.
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
As there seems to be many unrelated and off-topic posts in this thread, if you're interested in the prophetic word, see posts #98, #99, #415, and #483.
Sorry John I was just delivering a prophetic song
I am really interested 😱.

I hope your well 😊.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
It's exactly the same.

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

If I prophesied for money, people would call me evil and Balaam. If I used the spiritual gift of healing for money, people would call me evil. If I charged money for the lost to hear the Gospel, people would call me evil. But if someone uses their calling as a pastor to get paid, well, that's alright (no, it's not).

But I digress. I've said all I need to say on the matter.
You can call yourself whatever you want. Anyone can. Many people receive at times a warning or even a glimpse of something that might happen. That is because believers have the Spirit of God within them and that Spirit does lead a Christian who is determined to walk after the Spirit. Does not make them a prophet at all.

Further, the gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the revealed word of God of which, we have plenty. A word of knowledge is way too often mistaken for a prophecy.

Now if you want to take on yourself the mantle of a prophet, you had better be prepared to answer to God for foolish things you might say and that includes being dismissive and determining you do not need to answer to anyone.

Prophets have a heart for God and also for the people they prophesy to. That, is something that is missing from most of those referring to themselves as (cough cough) a prophet. No heart for people...just a whole lot of 'how dare you not recognize what a great prophet I am.'

I am happy to dismiss your awesome prophet power which is obviously of no use to anyone.
 
Mar 29, 2023
268
42
28
You can call yourself whatever you want. Anyone can. Many people receive at times a warning or even a glimpse of something that might happen. That is because believers have the Spirit of God within them and that Spirit does lead a Christian who is determined to walk after the Spirit. Does not make them a prophet at all.

Further, the gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the revealed word of God of which, we have plenty. A word of knowledge is way too often mistaken for a prophecy.

Now if you want to take on yourself the mantle of a prophet, you had better be prepared to answer to God for foolish things you might say and that includes being dismissive and determining you do not need to answer to anyone.

Prophets have a heart for God and also for the people they prophesy to. That, is something that is missing from most of those referring to themselves as (cough cough) a prophet. No heart for people...just a whole lot of 'how dare you not recognize what a great prophet I am.'

I am happy to dismiss your awesome prophet power which is obviously of no use to anyone.
Where did all this animosity come from?

This was your original comment: "Puzzling. The gifts are for the building up of the body of Christ. NOT for notoriety or gain, so not sure why you would think anyone, if actually a prophet, would think they should think they need to say they are not 'paid'. "

I've been accused many times over of trying to get people to pay me or being Jim Jones or David Koresh and any other number of things (all of which is ungodly and slanderous). So, I sometimes feel the need to assure people, I'm not doing this for money, fame, or fans. I freely give as I freely receive.

In response to your original comment, I was addressing being paid as a prophet and then shared my thoughts on being paid to be a pastor. Which, in terms of "...building up the body of Christ. NOT for notoriety or gain." (your words, not mine), is exactly for "gain" of monetary means. You are against prophets (and other servants of God) getting paid for building up the body of Christ - and I am too, even for pastors.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,366
13,728
113
Further, the gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the revealed word of God of which, we have plenty.
Perhaps you could rephrase your assertion, because as I read it, I am not aware of a single case in Scripture that supports it.
 
Mar 29, 2023
268
42
28
Again, for those looking, see posts: #98, #99, #415, and #483.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
Perhaps you could rephrase your assertion, because as I read it, I am not aware of a single case in Scripture that supports it.
What is it you think is not supported because this is not my own conclusion
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,366
13,728
113
What is it you think is not supported because this is not my own conclusion
Here's how I read your words:

"The gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the written word of God (whatever was then available, which was primarily the OT).

I am unaware of a single case of that. Every case I can think of is God speaking something new and specific, such as Agabus prophesying that Judea would undergo a famine, and later that Paul would be bound hand and foot.

I don't see anywhere that someone expounded on something from the OT (or even early NT writings) and such was called "prophesying".
 
N

Niki7

Guest
Here's how I read your words:

"The gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the written word of God (whatever was then available, which was primarily the OT).

I am unaware of a single case of that. Every case I can think of is God speaking something new and specific, such as Agabus prophesying that Judea would undergo a famine, and later that Paul would be bound hand and foot.

I don't see anywhere that someone expounded on something from the OT (or even early NT writings) and such was called "prophesying".
OK. First off, there are no more prophets that are equal to the prophets called of God in the OT. EACH Christian now has the Holy Spirit indwelling them; a major change from how God dealt with His people before that event. I refer to the NT gift of prophecy not in a manner suggesting that they were using the OT although I guess I might understand how you could see it that way, but I am not referring to the OT when I wrote what you are referring to.

Prophecy is referred to more than the other spiritual gifts and Paul says this, So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues in I Corinthians 14. As you mentioned, there were prophets active in the NT that we can read about, both men and women.

Something that does not seem to be done regularly these days, is judging the prophecies of the 'prophets' which the congregation to which that person(s) prophesy are supposed to do. Further, we are instructed that the prophets should speak two or three and that their spirits are subject to each other. Much like tongues, prophets have gone off the rails and can be found spouting any number of so called revelations that are supposedly from God but cannot be found in scripture anywhere....not referring to an event here but that this or that 'revelation' is from God when it can even contradict the Bible.

Can a prophet foretell the future today? I could call myself a prophet if that is all there is to it but I certainly do not think that would apply even though I have foretold some things that did happen and sometimes gave appropriate warnings to people or saw beyond a person's motives to what was really going on with them. If the prophets should prophesy by 2 or 3, that would indicate there is no prophetic leader in a church but we have those who think they are a prophet trying to take over a church in some cases. It's a mess

In I Corinthians 14, Paul states that 'you' can all prophesy so that everyone in a church might benefit. That would not be so if all people were doing was saying what was going to happen....predictive....rather than reveal deeper understanding of what is written...expound on the word. As it is, any prophecy should be appropriate to those to whom it is said and not something like 'God told me Harry was going to marry June or some such. I know of at least one disastrous such union, the result of God told me to tell you, that ended in divorce but not before the man in the case turned out to be sexually perverse and the woman was used and abused all because a 'prophet' told her what to do. Extreme you say? You might be surprised. I know the details because she came to me for help and wanted to be sure she was not being disobedient to God by leaving this bohunk.

I am sure also know that if tongues are interpreted they are considered equal to prophecy.

There is plenty more that can be said, but NT prophets are not to be confused with OT prophets even though people tend to believe that is their office if they think they are a prophet.
 
Mar 29, 2023
268
42
28
Sometimes people try to correct me and they're wrong. The irony is hard to swallow. No need to argue though. All you need to do is watch and see whether I speak truth or not. The only thing I ask is that when these things come to pass, you not say (as some do), "Oh everyone knew that was going to happen" and dismiss that God gave me this Word well in advance and I suffered all this rejection and hate for it. If it comes upon you surprisingly, after I've prophesied to you, there is only yourself to blame.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,366
13,728
113
OK. First off, there are no more prophets that are equal to the prophets called of God in the OT. EACH Christian now has the Holy Spirit indwelling them; a major change from how God dealt with His people before that event. I refer to the NT gift of prophecy not in a manner suggesting that they were using the OT although I guess I might understand how you could see it that way, but I am not referring to the OT when I wrote what you are referring to.

Prophecy is referred to more than the other spiritual gifts and Paul says this, So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues in I Corinthians 14. As you mentioned, there were prophets active in the NT that we can read about, both men and women.

Something that does not seem to be done regularly these days, is judging the prophecies of the 'prophets' which the congregation to which that person(s) prophesy are supposed to do. Further, we are instructed that the prophets should speak two or three and that their spirits are subject to each other. Much like tongues, prophets have gone off the rails and can be found spouting any number of so called revelations that are supposedly from God but cannot be found in scripture anywhere....not referring to an event here but that this or that 'revelation' is from God when it can even contradict the Bible.

Can a prophet foretell the future today? I could call myself a prophet if that is all there is to it but I certainly do not think that would apply even though I have foretold some things that did happen and sometimes gave appropriate warnings to people or saw beyond a person's motives to what was really going on with them. If the prophets should prophesy by 2 or 3, that would indicate there is no prophetic leader in a church but we have those who think they are a prophet trying to take over a church in some cases. It's a mess

In I Corinthians 14, Paul states that 'you' can all prophesy so that everyone in a church might benefit. That would not be so if all people were doing was saying what was going to happen....predictive....rather than reveal deeper understanding of what is written...expound on the word. As it is, any prophecy should be appropriate to those to whom it is said and not something like 'God told me Harry was going to marry June or some such. I know of at least one disastrous such union, the result of God told me to tell you, that ended in divorce but not before the man in the case turned out to be sexually perverse and the woman was used and abused all because a 'prophet' told her what to do. Extreme you say? You might be surprised. I know the details because she came to me for help and wanted to be sure she was not being disobedient to God by leaving this bohunk.

I am sure also know that if tongues are interpreted they are considered equal to prophecy.

There is plenty more that can be said, but NT prophets are not to be confused with OT prophets even though people tend to believe that is their office if they think they are a prophet.
I don't necessarily disagree with what you've written here, but I also don't think that it supports your earlier assertion... either the way I read it or the way you wrote it. It's not a big deal; I was just wondering if you had clear biblical support for your claim.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
I don't necessarily disagree with what you've written here, but I also don't think that it supports your earlier assertion... either the way I read it or the way you wrote it. It's not a big deal; I was just wondering if you had clear biblical support for your claim.
OK...but maybe you could tell me just what it is that you are not agreeing with. I am just not sure what you are placing emphasis on to say what you do above

Thanks
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,366
13,728
113
OK...but maybe you could tell me just what it is that you are not agreeing with. I am just not sure what you are placing emphasis on to say what you do above

Thanks
This, specifically:

"the gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the revealed word of God of which, we have plenty. "

Frankly, I don't see any support in the NT for your claim. I don't see any examples in the NT of "expounding on the revealed [written] word of God" being called "prophecy". It appears to me that you are attempting to support the idea that modern-day preachers are prophesying when the expound on the text of Scripture... an idea I categorically reject.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
This, specifically:

"the gift of prophecy in the NT refers mainly to expounding on the revealed word of God of which, we have plenty. "

Frankly, I don't see any support in the NT for your claim. I don't see any examples in the NT of "expounding on the revealed [written] word of God" being called "prophecy". It appears to me that you are attempting to support the idea that modern-day preachers are prophesying when the expound on the text of Scripture... an idea I categorically reject.
I said nothing of the sort regarding modern day preachers.

Reject all you want. I never said any such thing. At this point, it appears you might just want to find something to disagree with. I don't have the time nor the inclination to support that. I think you might also have somewhat of a faulty understanding of what the gift of prophecy is since 2 or 3 people standing up to prophesy in a congregation to predict the future does not even make sense.

People are always quibbling over tongues. The prophetic gifts are next on the list or maybe first depending on the desire of some to be thought of as a prophet.

There is no understanding of the gift when that happens because people forget the fact that the gifts are to build up the body....not fearmonger or try to gain control.

Again, you are finding something to quibble about I NEVER said but don't let that stop you :rolleyes:
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
People are always quibbling over tongues.
Well nobody would be quibbling about tongues if all would accept the fact that they have ceased. Paul said they would cease and the historical record confirms that they ceased.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,366
13,728
113
I said nothing of the sort regarding modern day preachers.

Reject all you want. I never said any such thing. At this point, it appears you might just want to find something to disagree with. I don't have the time nor the inclination to support that. I think you might also have somewhat of a faulty understanding of what the gift of prophecy is since 2 or 3 people standing up to prophesy in a congregation to predict the future does not even make sense.

People are always quibbling over tongues. The prophetic gifts are next on the list or maybe first depending on the desire of some to be thought of as a prophet.

There is no understanding of the gift when that happens because people forget the fact that the gifts are to build up the body....not fearmonger or try to gain control.

Again, you are finding something to quibble about I NEVER said but don't let that stop you :rolleyes:
You say I accused you of saying things you didn’t say, and then did exactly the same thing to me.

I asked you to rephrase; you didn’t. I asked you what you meant; you provided a convoluted non-explanation. I said ‘It appears that…’ not ‘You said’. I have given you plenty of opportunities to make yourself clear, and you haven’t.

Perhaps you just don’t like having to defend your assertions about Scripture with actual Scripture.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
You say I accused you of saying things you didn’t say, and then did exactly the same thing to me.

I asked you to rephrase; you didn’t. I asked you what you meant; you provided a convoluted non-explanation. I said ‘It appears that…’ not ‘You said’. I have given you plenty of opportunities to make yourself clear, and you haven’t.

Perhaps you just don’t like having to defend your assertions about Scripture with actual Scripture.
How am I going to rephrase something I never said that you only thought I said? You are being redundantly absurd.

You do not give me opportunities. You are not in charge of the thread, the forum and certainly not me. What a ridiculous statement but it reveals how you think.

I actually did explain what I was getting at and anyone can look at the scripture I posted and you actually said you agree with most of it.

However, you have now revealed you do not agree with what I never said but you thought I meant.

Just a tad confused then are you? smh whatever. I hope your head still fits through a door.
 
Mar 29, 2023
268
42
28
This is why Jesus never married. He wouldn't have gotten anything done arguing with someone that He was right all the time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.