PROPHETS
Today we shall be considering the next leadership gift given to the body of Christ that is the PROPHETS.
The function of the prophets include:
a. Work With Apostles. The following verses seem to imply that the apostle and
prophet would work closely with each other.
“…I will send them prophets and apostles…” (Luke 11:49). “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets…” (1 Cor 12:28).
“And are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets … ” (2:20). “Rejoice… you holy apostles and
prophets; for God hath avenged you on her” (Rev 18:20). The prophetic ministry
is kept in balance by working with an apostle.
b. Foretold Events And Warned Of
Danger. By the revelation of the Holy s
Spirit (John 16:13)., New Testament
prophets like Agabus foretold events before they happened (Acts 11:28); and
gave illustrated prophecies, warning of dangers to come (Acts 21:10,11). Other
New Testament prophets were Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32).
c. Confirmed What God Had Spoken. Paul said we are not to despise prophecy (1 Ths 5;20).
Yet he refused to be governed or guided by prophets or prophecy (cf. Acts
20:23; 21:4; 11-14). The New Testament prophets’ primary ministry was to
confirm something God had ALREADY spoken to the individual believer. “…separate
me Paul and Barnabas for the work for which I have [past tense] called them…”
(Acts 13:1,2). The Lord had already called them. The prophets only confirmed
this call.
d. Their Words Should Be Examined. Therefore the words of prophets are to be carefully examined
(Deut 18:22; Jer 28:9; 1 Cor 14:29; 1 Ths 5:19-21) as they may be wrong. If the
word spoken by the prophet disagrees with the words written in the Bible, these
words of the prophet must be rejected (Deut 13:1-5). See the notes on 1
Corinthians 12 and 14 (Gifts of the Spirit) for an explanation of the
difference between simple prophecy and the prophetic office.
In conclusion, if any man calls himself a prophet and does not perform any of the above function. he or she should be examined.
credit: the shepherd staff.
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