[ Post a Response | Community Chapel Gathering ]
Posted by Traci In the OT prophets were not just people who forsaw the future. They proclaimed the praises of God (bands of prophets came through . . .), revealed mysteries (Where were Sauls donkeys), gave counsel (to kings), pronounced judgements (King David), did dramas (Jeremiah and Ezekiel), saw visions, had dreams (and interpreted them) and taught (Elisha in particular). There are many OT words translated "prophet" and they are summed up in this: Someone who hears from God and speaks or acts under divine inspiration to communicate something from God's heart. They were men or women. I don't believe that the basics of this ministry have changed since the death and resurrection of Jesus. But I do believe the availability of the spirit to all men has changed the accessibility of both the "office" and also the gift(s) that attend this ministry. I think the choice of only one greek word to describe it has simply thrown us off track at times. I believe there is a difference between someone "prophesying," a "prophetic person" and a "Prophet." The defining factors can be vague, but you could look at it the same as with a carpenter. The activity of prophecy is on a continuum. Some people can build a birdhouse. This is carpentry. Some people can build a garage or even parts of a house or rehab a house. But their real job is Accounting. This means that they are gifted in carpentry, but they are not a "Carpenter" by trade. A Carpenter makes a living at what he does and it consumes a major part of his waking hours. Prophecy and Prophets are the same. Just because we prophesy, it does not make us prophets. The office of Prophet primarily using the prophetic gifts to "prepare the saints for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." We should all evangelize, yet we are not all evangelists - etc. Traci
on 4/26/2006, 12:41 pm
24.16.245.241
This is my take and I would love feedback!
Message Thread
« Back to index