I've often wondered what it would be like for me to have a major problem with someone giving a prophecy in the local church, either to the congregation or to someone personally? Either I am just naive, closed minded, or neither on the subject of prophecy. I sure am hoping it's neither!
All kidding aside, I often do wonder why God has not allowed me to see it from a cessationists view in regards to prophecy. Let's face it we could all break it down theologically speaking; side-ways, vertically, around the corner and back, frontwards, backwards, upside down, and even inside-out, and surely come up with differences in opinions on how this gift is to be used, or even be used at all. I tend to be more conservative, but I guess I would be considered liberal by my cessationist friends. This is no antagonistic approach to start a slug match with those of a different position on the gift of prophecy. The question is, is it or is not valid, Biblically speaking, in the New Testament church? Could God in His awesome sovereignty be taking me down a road where I will have to change my theology totally on this, or am I pretty close to accurate on this gift? Too many questions, I know!
Apparently Paul felt as though he needed to encourage the Church of Corinth to prophesy. "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." (1 Corinthians 14:1) John writes in Revelation, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10) Paul continues on his encouragement to all believers with, "For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged," (1 Corinthians 14:31). "So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39). The Bible even gives us liberty to judge prophetic words, but does not give us liberty to judge those who prophesy. To insinuate that would make God look like He was contradicting Himself. "Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
So what can we conclude? To answer this broad base question we must first ask the following questions.
1. Is prophesy relevant today?
2. Is prophesy only a high level of teaching the Word of God?
3. Should we encourage Christians to prophesy?
4. Should we all become cessasionists?
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5 comments:
If you speak on behalf of God, you need to get it right. What I mean is,if you say,God said ... God told me...etc. and it doesn't happen,thats using God's name in vain. So I agree with Scripture judge the prophecy not the person.It's much better to say, I think this is what the Lord is saying. I love the gift of Prophecy, I desire it, but with the Gift comes responsibility as all the other Gifts. Prophecy should be practiced in the local Church, but in an orderly way. Prophetic words should be submitted to leadership before being released to the Church.Prophecy is relevant and we should encourage it.
I tend to agree with you Bobby.
My approach in this blog was strictly philosophical not necessarily theological. I know what I believe on this subject, but above what I believe is the real truth, the absolute truth with no wavering. I am suggesting that I don't know if I am there yet nor anyone else in knowing exactly how this gift should be used, with consideration to every possible scenerio known to man.
I sat in the waiting room
at the office of a Baptist
church yesterday. I noticed
books on some shelves. One
book was entitled, "The Final
Quest" by Rick Joyner. I've
never seen the man nor been
to hear him speak.
I only had time to read the
introduction of the book.
On page 14 he made two
excellent observations
about the gift of prophecy
today.
First, the gift of prophecy
can be counterfeited.
Second, only Scripture is infallible.
I don't know what else he
teaches, but he's right on
target about these two
points.
I just may go back and read
the rest of the book. But, if
I don't, God's Book, the Bible
is the only infallible prophecy.
I won't ever worry about it
being counterfeit.
Amen!
Blake, Check out my blog.I've got a quote by Jack Deere that I think, you might agree with. We can't put God in a box!
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