What does it mean to be a prophet today?
Is prophet ministry different in our times now? I have only seen a prophet ministry once but it's really hard for me to figure out. Is it pretty much just obeying God what he tells you to say and where he calls you to go?
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Asked August 07 2013
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Johnnatta Giles
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Arun Kumar
Supporter
A prophet is someone who speaks the word of God to the people whom God intends, this happened in the Biblical times. Prophecies were spoken in times when there was not written form of word of God. I.e., till the book of Revelation was completed. With the revelation completed, we have the complete word of God and we dont need a prophecy outside the Bible today. In this sense, a prophet is someone who speaks forth the word of God, either in an expositional or in an expository way. That's it. One who foretells anything today, in the name of God, is certainly not a prophet, because we dont know whether or not what he speaks is from the God. Jeremiah 14:14. Comments invited.
James Chacko
Supporter
A prophet is one who brings a message from God. Holy Spirit inspired preaching of the word included. The office of prophet is one of the five offices mentioned in Eph 4:11 for the edification of the church. The prophet brings messages from God to give direction to the local church and individuals. It can be a rebuke or correction too. But he cannot speak outside of the written word. All prophesies must be tested in the light of scripture.1 Jn 4:1. Scripture also tells us not to despise prophesies. 1 Thess 5:20
Davina Garrett
Supporter
I think that the more we "copy" the New Testament church the better off we will be. This is the time when the Apostles (those closest to Jesus walking on this earth) where leading people in how to be Christ-like. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 KJV [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? [30] Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? [31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. I believe Paul is giving an outline of the major gifts right here. So it seems to me that FIRST the apostle, SECOND the prophet, THIRD the teacher, and after miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues. (Capitilyzation only for emphasis.) Therefore the prophet must be important. Verse 31 desire earnestly the best gifts. Not only do we have the entire Bible to give us wisdom but God can speak through us specifically into each others lives to help one another. God loves to speak to his children. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 KJV [1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. [2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. [3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. [4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. [5] I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Pam Johnson
Supporter
Prophecy is God speaking through people for His good purpose. We know that God has used both saved and unsaved people throughout history to prophesy. Annas prophesied that it would be better that one man die instead of all the Jews. This happened while they unfairly and unjustly put Jesus to death. I don't believe Annas went to heaven, yet we have confirmation in God's word that he prophesied over Jesus' destiny. Isaiah (and all the other prophets in the BIble) are good examples of a GOd driven life where His purpose was fulfilled in using these people to prophesy both good and bad things to come so the people would know, repent of their sins, and get back in right relationship with God. Personally, I have experienced both.........unsaved prophesying over me and saved, ordinary people prophesying over me. I also have experienced having said something (many things) and having them happen. You could say this is clairvoyance. The believer calls it prophecy. God is alive and well and working in this world. He uses all kinds of people in all kinds of places and circumstances to further His kingdom coming to this world and I believe prophecy and prophesying happen on a daily basis just like miracles still happen all day every day all over the world. Open your heart and mind to the Lord and He will show you His great wonders. God bless you.
D W
Supporter
A prophet today is a messenger. It has nothing to do with prophesying, as in foretelling the future. We dare not apply the name of "prophet" to ourselves or others if we mean by that, that God speaks through us to provide a prediction, such as "The Lord told me to tell you that you are going to be healed," or "The Lord told me that if the church doesn't get on the right track He will destroy it on 11 November 2015." No one today is entitled to refer to himself or herself as a "prophet." God's Word is complete. He speaks to us through the scriptures. The Holy Spirit provides the interpretation and application. NOTHING is lacking in our Bible --- except our own failure to read it.
Mark Galinsky
Supporter
Prophesy of old was "fore-telling". Prophesy today would be "forth-telling". It could be faithfully preaching The Gospel, or someone giving a word of Scripture to someone dealing with a situation that may or not be known to the speaker.
Daniel Adeyelu
Supporter
God is still in the business of talking to his prophets today and will forever be. God speaks to his prophets through dreams, visions,trances, little still voice and conscience. Apart from the old testament prophets that God spoke to, God also spoke to his apostles in the new testament. All that apostle Paul wrote did not come from his head as human. Apostle Paul in most cases spoke exactly the mind of God.
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