The place of the prophet in the new testament.

[Guest Ayubu]

I wish to ask a question that I'd very much appreciate to get answers.

The Bible says in 2Ch 20:20b " ..Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. " In Eph 4, the prophet is one in the five fold offices God uses in our day to build up the saints for the work of ministry. Evidently from this portion of scripture, the five fold is the order through which God builds the church and therefore, the need for the saints to submit to the spiritual authority that God has ordained over them.

My question is to what extent should the believer submitt to the prophets in the new covenant and if such submission leads to error, will the believer be accountable before God?

[nebula]

Well, I would guess the simple answer is:

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 14:29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Because we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we need to learn to recognize HIs voice and leading for ourselves. That said, He does still speak through prophets, but we need to "test" them - to be sure they are prophets of God. And we need to seek confirmation of the words of prophecy we receive.

Then when you have assurance it is of the Lord, follow through!

BTW - welcome to the Boards!

[Orr v'emet]

Well, I would guess the simple answer is:

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 14:29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Because we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we need to learn to recognize HIs voice and leading for ourselves. That said, He does still speak through prophets, but we need to "test" them - to be sure they are prophets of God. And we need to seek confirmation of the words of prophecy we receive.

Then when you have assurance it is of the Lord, follow through!

BTW - welcome to the Boards!

[Guest Called]

I have to agree with Nebula on this one!

[Guest shiloh357]

Well, I would guess the simple answer is:

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 14:29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Because we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we need to learn to recognize HIs voice and leading for ourselves. That said, He does still speak through prophets, but we need to "test" them - to be sure they are prophets of God. And we need to seek confirmation of the words of prophecy we receive.

Then when you have assurance it is of the Lord, follow through!

BTW - welcome to the Boards!

Way to go, Nebula!!! Right on target!!

[One Way]

Ayubu, there are no more prophets in the order of the OT. Jesus was the end-all, be-all representative of God.

Heb 1:1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,

Heb 1:2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

So, in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus, the very Word of God, Himself. What more needs to be said?

If you have a question about what God would have you do, He says "look to Jesus."

It says above, "God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets..." The implication here is that it is in the old days, not our current times.

It then goes on, "hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son." The point made here is that Jesus is the final word from God. For, Jesus is the Word of God.

Blessings...

[stevehut]

I don't believe that we have (or need) prophets today. Now that we have a complete Bible (Old and New Testaments) to reveal God's will to us, why would you need a prophet?

What kind of new revelation do you think a modern-day prophet might bring? Jesus isn't the Messiah? You don't have to repent of your sins? Nah, I don't think there's any need for new revelation.

What we need today, is people who are able to take the Scriptures and apply it to our everyday lives.

[stevehut]

1- Evidently from this portion of scripture, the five fold is the order through which God builds the church

2- My question is to what extent should the believer submitt to the prophets in the new covenant and if such submission leads to error, will the believer be accountable before God?

1- That was before we had a completed New Testament to guide us.

2- You will always be held responsible by God for your own actions. No matter what a church leader does, each of us must exercise sound judgment and discernment. And any church leader who gives bad advice, is accountable as well.

[Guest Called]

Here is where we disagree OneWay (I think) I believe in all the gifts of the Spirit as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.

1- That was before we had a completed New Testament to guide us.

2- You will always be held responsible by God for your own actions. No matter what a church leader does, each of us must exercise sound judgment and discernment. And any church leader who gives bad advice, is accountable as well.

So there are no more miracles, teachers, healings, tongues or apostles either?

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

What kind of new revelation do you think a modern-day prophet might bring? Jesus isn't the Messiah? You don't have to repent of your sins? Nah, I don't think there's any need for new revelation.

Wow, God always gives me new revelations of His Word. Always, it is called Rhema.

I can already see we are going to completely disagree on this Steve. :t:

[The Journey]

Called,

This whole doctrine of "rhema" has been the source of tremendous heresy.

It is a very tenuous position to build doctrines on subtle differences in Greek.

Ephesians 2:20 states that the purpose of apostles and prophets is to be the foundation of the Church. Without them we would have no body of NT doctrine.

When God was giving new revelation He verified it with signs and wonders. The Apostle Peter states these signs and wonders represented the fulfillment of the prophecy made by Joel. The writer of Hebrews is very specific regarding the purpose of signs and wonders:

"The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak, and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so." Hebrews 2:2-4 NLT

With the completion of the Canon and unification of Jews and Gentiles in One Body many of the gifts ended. This is the testimony of the Scriptures and of history.

Today, we are not to seek signs and wonders. We are to be servants. Forget the prayer clothes and gimmicks and take up the towel and wash some feet. Its the pathway to true power.

- Steve