Dear Church Member

[Sue J Love]

Yes, I think this is a great explanation. The prophets of old didn't "make" anything happen on their own power.
(there were false prophets even in the old testament).
But they spoke the truth that God revealed to them. Prophecy isn't just foretelling the future. Prophecy is proclaiming a truth of God's Word also.
There are plenty of people declaring God's Word means this or that.... but just because they are saying it, doesn't mean God revealed it to them.

Many false churches/religions get started because people break off from church and go off on their own and come up with private "relevation"
from God. This is how the Mormon church got started, this is how Islam got started, this is how the Jehovah's witnesses got started.

It's always better to be in a place where iron can sharpen iron.

This is why we need to test everything we hear or read against scripture and in prayer.

I Thess. 5:19-22: Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

@B-A-C - I am not advocating that anyone should break off from the church. I have not broken off from the church. I have come out of Bablyon, as God's word says I must do, so that I don't share in her sins and in her punishment. I have not knowingly unequally yoked myself together with evil doers and with unbelievers in an uholy union. I obeyed God's Word in that, too. I am not partakers with those who have turned the house of prayer into a marketplace, and I am not turning to an earthly government for my support and help in place of turning to God to meet all my needs and to win my battles, i.e. to fight my enemies. And, I have not separated myself from the family of God, i.e. from the body of Christ. There is plenty of iron sharpening iron on here and with Christians I gather together with in person.

Yet, the prophets of old did not check with other people to get their messages. They got them directly from God. Paul did not consult with any humans before he accepted God's calling on his life. He got his messages straight from God, as did the other apostles who penned the books of the Bible. But, they were subject to having their words tested. I think it was the Bereans who examined Paul's words to make sure they agreed with scripture. Yes, there were true prophets and false prophets. There were true apostles of Christ and false ones. And, there are true teachers of the Word today and there are false ones. Yet, we should not despise the proclamation of God's Word, but we should test it. We should examine everything carefully. And, we should hold fast to the good and abstain from every form of evil. That is what I am doing in obedience to my Lord.

 

[Sue J Love]

Yes, I think this is a great explanation. The prophets of old didn't "make" anything happen on their own power.
(there were false prophets even in the old testament).
But they spoke the truth that God revealed to them. Prophecy isn't just foretelling the future. Prophecy is proclaiming a truth of God's Word also.
There are plenty of people declaring God's Word means this or that.... but just because they are saying it, doesn't mean God revealed it to them.

Many false churches/religions get started because people break off from church and go off on their own and come up with private "relevation"
from God. This is how the Mormon church got started, this is how Islam got started, this is how the Jehovah's witnesses got started.

It's always better to be in a place where iron can sharpen iron.

I read this definition years ago and thought it was quite good:

Definition Prophecy

Gift of Prophecy: “A person with this gift, like its Old Testament counterpart, has a keen awareness of current events and the cultural implications of not following God’s word. This is important because each church is made up of people, customs, and circumstances that are different from others. Prophecy helps us apply the scriptures to where we live. A person with this gift has a burden to warn of God’s judgment and the need for us to repent... This gift helps the church live holy in the culture and time that they are appointed. It rebukes, strengthens and encourages believers.” http://spiritualgifts.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/65/