| The Bible, Prophecy and the Church |
The Bible, Prophecy and the Church
God is a spirit, and Father is seeking those who will worship
Him in spirit and in truth.
Questions we need to ask:
Does God still speak today in the 21st century?
Are there prophets today who hear God and speak His words?
How can we recognize them?
Can any Christian believer prophesy occasionally?
Are there Christians who have the calling of "Prophet"?
If so, once we recognize them, what should be our response?
What is the biblical order of church leadership?
Is my local church operating in this biblical order?
If not, why not?
What's the devil got to do with all this? How can I stop his attacks,
and destroy his works like Jesus did?
What is my authority as a born-again, blood-washed child of God?
Exploring these questions, let us clear away cobwebs of ignorance,
rebellion, doubt and unbelief. God's Truth will then shine in
our hearts and minds, thus destroying the works of the devil
in our personal lives, and in the life of our local church.
Old Covenant
God spoke through prophets. Prophets heard, then spoke/wrote God's words.
God disciplined prophets and made them examples to the people.
There were Schools of the Prophets where men learned to discern God's voice.
God called, then mature prophets taught them.
Deborah, a woman, judged and was called and used by God as a prophet.
"Put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established.
Put your trust in His prophets and succeed." (2 Chronicles 20:20b NASB)
New Covenant
Does God speak today, in the 21st Century?
I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;
for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak,
and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:12, 13)
Do prophets today hear God, then speak/write?
Can they be schooled?
...I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
and teaching you publicly and from house to house...And now behold,
I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom,
will no longer see my face.
for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20:20-27)
...Philip the evangelist,...Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.
As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea... (Acts 21:8-10)
How can we recognize them?
Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Can any Christian prophesy on occasion?
Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy...
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation
and consolation...Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy,
and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
What is the biblical order of church leadership?
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets,
pastors, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
administrations, various kinds of tongues. (1Corinthians 12:28)
Is my church operating in this biblical order?
If not, why not?
What's the devil got to do with all this?
I (Jesus) am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly. (John 10:10)
How can I stop his attacks, and destroy his works like Jesus did?
...GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO
THE HUMBLE. Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:6,7)
What is my authority as a born-again, blood-washed child of God?
(Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection)
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he
who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany
those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons,
they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents,
and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will
lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18)