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.
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.
