Results 1 - 5 of 5
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? | Isaiah | casiv | 24298 | ||
Dear Tim, I believe first occurrences are generally essential to the interpretation of words, expressions, and utterances and have never yet found it to fail. The first occurrence of the word Prophet is in Gen 20:7, and is used by God to Abimelech king of Gerar, of Abraham - "Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet and he shall pray for thee." This first occurrence of the word shows that it is used in a very different sense from that in which we use it today. Of course, even apart from this, our present usage is of no account in determining the Biblical usage. We use it of one whose sole mission is to foretell future events. But, here, it is used in connection with Abraham, who foretold nothing; and of whose prophecies, as such, we have neither mention, allusion, or record. The only thing associated with the prophets, in Abraham, here, is prayer! This first occurrence, therefore, speaks to us if we have ears to hear; and, being so contrary to our current usage, tells us to search further and see what it teaches us in connection with its other occurrences. We soon learn from Ex. 7:1 that the same God calls Aaron, Mose's "prophet." This takes us a step further; and leads to another question: How could one man be another man's "prophet"? The answer is found in Ex.4:16, where God, referring to the same matter, says of Aaron, to Moses,"He shall be thy spokesman." Here,then, we learn that the essential interpretation of the word "prophet" is spokesman. so that the prophet was one who spoke FOR God, whether by way of Exhortation, Instruction, Reproof, Warning, Correction, Reprobation, or Judgement. Foretelling was only a very small part of his duties. There was "no prophet greater than John the Baptist"(Matt11:9-11). He prophesied that Christ that Christ should baptize with pneuma hagion, but where are his prophecies, as we understand the word today? Not one is recorded. But he was God's spokesman, prepared, equipped, and sent forth by God to prepare the way of the Messiah(Luke 1:13-17,75-79). The prophet, therefore, was essentially God's spokesman; and his sole mission was to speak only those words which were given him to speak. In this sense Moses was the great prophet typical of the Lord Jesus. Seven times in the closing words of Exodus we find the refrain associating Moses's words and deeds with his obedience,"as the Lord commanded Moses" (Ex.11:19,21,23,25,27,29,32). Even so the Lord Jesus was "the prophet like unto Moses." Why? Not because of His foretelling future events, but because "He whom God sent speaketh the words of God"(John3:34; compare John3:32; 7:16,26,28; 15:15,etc.). for the same reason "prophets" were bestowed upon the church at the beginning (Eph 4:11);"for(pros,Grk) the perfecting of the Saints with a view to (eis, Grk)the work of the ministry for (eis,Grk) the building up of the body of Christ." This was the special object of the New Testament prophetic ministry(compare Eph2:20, Rom. 16:26."prophetic writings," 2Pet 1:19."the prophetic' word"). The work of these prophets was specially connected with the making known the "Mystery" or the great secret, which had been "hid in God". continued.......................... |
||||||
2 | Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? | Isaiah | casiv | 24304 | ||
continued..................It is a great mistake to suppose that Eph. 2:20 refers to the Old Testament Prophets; and that the Church is built upon them! There is abundant evidence as to the New Testament order of Prophets; and that they were charged with quite a different mission, though they were God's spokesmen: Barnabas (Acts 4:36), Stephen(Acts 6:10,15), Agabus(Acts 11:28,21:10), Silvannus, Silas, and Judas(Acts 15:32), Manaen and Lucius of Cyrene(Acts 13:1), timothy(1Tim 6:11; 2Tim 3:17), the daughters of Philip(Acts 21:9), and others, unnamed(Acts 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6). The Exhortations addressed to and connected with the prophets are also special. "Despise not prophesyings" shows that the word "spirit" int he preceding clause refers to the spiritual gift of prophesying(1Thes 5:20); and "Quench not the spirit" means, Do not stifle or suppress such spiritual gifts in others. Examples of this prophetic power in action and teaching, etc., are seen in Acts 5:4; 13:2; 21:1-14; 1 Cor 14:24,25; 1Tim 1:18; 4:1. Thus the first occurrence of the word "prophet" leads us into all this line of teaching, and shows us that the Preposition (pro,Grk), before, is not used with regard to time, but to manner; not to speaking beforehand, or telling-before, but telling forth. Moreover, we may note there was no place for the ministry of prophets till the priests had failed in their mission, which was to teach the Word of God. When the priests became absorbed in their ritual, then God raised up prophets as His spokesmen. Kindly agree that Malachai is the last prophet. Peace in Faith and Hope, casiv |
||||||
3 | Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? | Isaiah | charis | 24317 | ||
Dear casiv, No, Malachi is NOT the last prophet. The Lord Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest and King. I believe that His revelations to mankind come after Malachi. John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation, which is most assuredly prophecy. Your statement is not in accord with Scripture. In Christ Jesus, charis |
||||||
4 | Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? | Isaiah | casiv | 24379 | ||
Dear charis, In humblness sir it is your statement that is not in accord with Scripture. John 1:1 - IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1John 5:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. Jesus is not a prophet He is God! Luke 16:16 - The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyman presseth into it. Luke 1:17 - And He shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias(Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Matt 17:12 - But I say unto you, That Elias(Elijah) is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them" Matt 17:13 - Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist. John the Baptist appeared to have been the last prophet, by the Word of Jesus, but he was Elijah, by the Word of Jesus and they killed him therefore since John was Elijah that makes Malachai the last prophet. Anything beyond this is a direct denial of the Word of Jesus, Who is God. Please see that the words you are denying are not mine. Peace, casiv |
||||||
5 | Isn't Prophecy a Spiritual Gift? | Isaiah | srbaegon | 24387 | ||
Rebuttal..................................... Casiv, Jesus is God--we do not question that. However the Lord has three offices that He fills (as was pointed out). One of those offices is Prophet which was told via Moses in Deut 18:18-19. The proof is in John 4:44 where the term "prophet" is directly attributed to the Lord Jesus as one who would be without honor amongst His people. Steve |
||||||