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Prophet: Difference between revisions
→Old Testament prophet = New Testament apostle?
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:''Now, prophets. There’s such a thing as “gift of prophecy” in the Church; but a prophet is predestinated and foreordained for the hour. See? Yes, sir. Now, if a prophecy goes forth, two or three has to set and judge whether that’s right or not, ’fore the church can receive it. '''But nobody set before a prophet, ’cause he was—he was absolutely the Word of God. He was that Word in his day. You seen God reflect. Now, God has promised to send us that again in the last days''', to bring the Bride out of that ecclesiastical mess, in the only way it can be done. ref>William Branham, 65-1204 - The Rapture, para. 136</ref> | :''Now, prophets. There’s such a thing as “gift of prophecy” in the Church; but a prophet is predestinated and foreordained for the hour. See? Yes, sir. Now, if a prophecy goes forth, two or three has to set and judge whether that’s right or not, ’fore the church can receive it. '''But nobody set before a prophet, ’cause he was—he was absolutely the Word of God. He was that Word in his day. You seen God reflect. Now, God has promised to send us that again in the last days''', to bring the Bride out of that ecclesiastical mess, in the only way it can be done. ref>William Branham, 65-1204 - The Rapture, para. 136</ref> | ||
===True prophets do not plagiarize=== | |||
A true prophet does not plagiarize from others. | |||
Jeremiah 23:30 | |||
:''So I, the LORD, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who steal messages from one another that they claim are from me. (NET) | |||
===Performing miracles proves '''NOTHING'''=== | ===Performing miracles proves '''NOTHING'''=== | ||
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:'''''If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place''', and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. '''That prophet or dreamer must be put to death''' for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Dt 13:1–5.</ref> | :'''''If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place''', and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. '''That prophet or dreamer must be put to death''' for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Dt 13:1–5.</ref> | ||
==What is a New Testament prophet?== | |||
===Performing miracles proves '''NOTHING'''=== | |||
Jesus said that false prophets can perform great signs and miracles, so we know that displays or '''manifestations of supernatural power do not necessarily mean that God has sent a prophet'''. In fact, the book of Revelation reveals that a time is coming when the devil himself will call fire down out of the sky to prove that he is God, and this overwhelming miracle will deceive most of the inhabitants of Earth. “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beat, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth…” (Revelation 13:13,14) So, the ability to perform miracles does not prove that a prophet is sent from God. | Jesus said that false prophets can perform great signs and miracles, so we know that displays or '''manifestations of supernatural power do not necessarily mean that God has sent a prophet'''. In fact, the book of Revelation reveals that a time is coming when the devil himself will call fire down out of the sky to prove that he is God, and this overwhelming miracle will deceive most of the inhabitants of Earth. “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beat, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth…” (Revelation 13:13,14) So, the ability to perform miracles does not prove that a prophet is sent from God. | ||
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Followers of [[The Message|William Branham's message]] point to only one thing - the miracles. They state that his "''gift of discernment came from God for the purpose of vindicating him as a true servant of God''". | Followers of [[The Message|William Branham's message]] point to only one thing - the miracles. They state that his "''gift of discernment came from God for the purpose of vindicating him as a true servant of God''". | ||
===Having one or more gifts of the Spirit does not make one a prophet=== | ===Having one or more gifts of the Spirit does not make one a New Testament prophet=== | ||
The Bible indicates that Jesus bestowed spiritual gifts on the early church. (The word “church” as it is used in this study should not be confused with a particular denomination.) Paul wrote, “it was he [Jesus] who gave some [gifts to ordinary people so that they could serve as] to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [so that all of these should work together] to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, insertions mine) | The Bible indicates that Jesus bestowed spiritual gifts on the early church. (The word “church” as it is used in this study should not be confused with a particular denomination.) Paul wrote, “it was he [Jesus] who gave some [gifts to ordinary people so that they could serve as] to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [so that all of these should work together] to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, insertions mine) | ||
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These verses reveal that Jesus equips ordinary people with extraordinary gifts for the benefit of building up His church. Please notice that Paul identifies their order of importance: “And in the church God appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.”<ref>1 Corinthians 12:28</ref> | These verses reveal that Jesus equips ordinary people with extraordinary gifts for the benefit of building up His church. Please notice that Paul identifies their order of importance: “And in the church God appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.”<ref>1 Corinthians 12:28</ref> | ||
=== | ===Both Old and New Testament prophets had to be judged=== | ||
Once the scriptures were completed, the Church had all that was necessary in the area of revelational truth. The apostles' instructions were in words, then put to paper for all succeeding generations on how to live in obedience to the faith. | Once the scriptures were completed, the Church had all that was necessary in the area of revelational truth. The apostles' instructions were in words, then put to paper for all succeeding generations on how to live in obedience to the faith. | ||
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===Does not give a private interpretation of scripture=== | ===Does not give a private interpretation of scripture=== | ||
2 Peter 1:20, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." | 2 Peter 1:20, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." A true Prophet NEVER gives his private interpretation. He only shares what the Lord reveals. Scripture defines Scripture, not man. | ||
A true Prophet NEVER gives his private interpretation. He only shares what the Lord reveals. Scripture defines Scripture, not man. | |||
==Does not glorify himself== | ==Does not glorify himself== | ||
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A true Prophet believes and preaches the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He will preach Jesus as God who came to Earth and put on humanity in order to redeem us all. | A true Prophet believes and preaches the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He will preach Jesus as God who came to Earth and put on humanity in order to redeem us all. | ||
===Gender is not an issue=== | ===Gender is not an issue for either Old or New Testament prophets=== | ||
Exodus 15:20, "And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." | Exodus 15:20, "And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." | ||
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True prophet's sayings are totally consistent with all that the Holy Spirit has already revealed in Scripture. | True prophet's sayings are totally consistent with all that the Holy Spirit has already revealed in Scripture. | ||
===Do not create pride=== | ===Do not create pride=== | ||