Is the dispensation of the Gifts of the Spirit a think of the past? Specifically, are there any modern day, true prophets of God? If so, who are they?
Prophecy
- Thread starter Underdog
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No the dispensation of the Gifts of the Spirit are just as real and present as they were in the early church. Nothing has changed.
Are there any modern day prophets of God? Yes. But not in the sense of Old Testament prophets. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is given to all believers, and thus so too are the gifts, including prophecy. So, technically, every believer is a prophet - a speaker of the Word of the Lord; and it's true. If you can hear God (and as Christians we should always hear God), then you can speak for Him when He tells you.
Are there any modern day prophets of God? Yes. But not in the sense of Old Testament prophets. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is given to all believers, and thus so too are the gifts, including prophecy. So, technically, every believer is a prophet - a speaker of the Word of the Lord; and it's true. If you can hear God (and as Christians we should always hear God), then you can speak for Him when He tells you.
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But, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 says, " 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
How does your statement that every believer is a prophet, square with this scripture?
How does your statement that every believer is a prophet, square with this scripture?
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Prophecy in the OT was not just telling the future, but telling the Truth, usually to people who don't want to hear it. John the Baptist prophecied when he condemned Herod for his marriage and lust for Salome, as an example.
Today, anyone who preaches that Christ is God and will judge those who do not repent is, in essence, prophecying. Most people, even Christians, don't like to hear this. People like to continue in their sin. It is the callling of modern prophets to remind the Church that repentance is not just saying your your sorry, but doing it differently from that point forward. We cannot, of course, reach perfection in this life, but to stop short of the goal is to never reach it at all.
Furthermore, anytime one quotes Scripture in the Spirit (ie Truthfully and without distortion), in essence they are prophecying. To prophecy is to speak the Truth.
Peace to all who seek it,
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Today, anyone who preaches that Christ is God and will judge those who do not repent is, in essence, prophecying. Most people, even Christians, don't like to hear this. People like to continue in their sin. It is the callling of modern prophets to remind the Church that repentance is not just saying your your sorry, but doing it differently from that point forward. We cannot, of course, reach perfection in this life, but to stop short of the goal is to never reach it at all.
Furthermore, anytime one quotes Scripture in the Spirit (ie Truthfully and without distortion), in essence they are prophecying. To prophecy is to speak the Truth.
Peace to all who seek it,
<><
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Just because every Christian has the ability to prophecy by speaking the truth does not mean they will. Many people buckle under pressure where as others do not. Those who are gifted in prophecy are good at it. They do it often against their own will, but fully at the prodding of the Spirit. Paul also instructs us that we should ask for gifts we do not have so that we can be prepared in all situations. And remember, in this specific text, he is encouraging the church that in unity as a fellowship they will have all gifts in exceeding amount so that together they stand as the complete Body of Christ!
Any Christian can, but that does not mean they do.
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No. It's called rebuking, and it is essential to the Christian community.
Judging is when in rebuking one places themself in a superior position to the rebuked (a danger which Scripture warns us against.) This is wholly unchristian as we are all equally fallen creatures without Christ and therefore in no position to condemn.
When one speaks the Truth in love to rebuke, they do not condemn, but admonish in the hope that sincere repentance will occur and the Bride of Christ may remain pure for His coming. Yet, if the sin is one which brings condemnation, for example, living in sexual immorality, speaking the Truth includes sharing what the ends of that sin are (ie damnation). A rebuke does not damn, but warns of damnation which God has declared.
Furthermore, rebuking can only be done in light of Scriptural Truth. If Scripture says something is wrong, it is the job of the servants of God to tell others the Truth. It is, in fact, love...to do otherwise is to allow the devil to have a foothold in their lives, and therefore hate. As Proverbs says, "He who spares the rod, hates his son." And elsewhere in Scripture, "God disciplines those He loves."
All actions taken by Christians are in light of the saving grace of Christ and point to Him as the answer to all things. Rebuking points to forgiveness, and is done with reconciliation as the end goal. Judgment by humans (who are not just by nature) is simply hatred.
Remember Christ's first words of preaching in Matthew"
"Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near."
Peace to all who seek it.
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Thanks for your input, Othniel. But that passage of scripture clearly states that to one, they get this gift, to another, they get that gift, etc. It seperates and breaks down the gifts.
I guess I'll be more specific in my question. In 1 Corrintians 12:10 it says, " to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." It is in this context of scripture that I ask my question. Is that type of prophecy still around? Are there modern day prophets? It does not say "to all" the working of miracles, "to all" prophecy, "to all" discerning of the spirits, "to all" different kinds of tongues, or "to all" the interpretation of tongues.
What scripture states that all Christians have the gift of prophecy to some extent, and that some are just "good at it"?
Also, the first rule of the ask Josephus forum is as follows -
"Therefore all threads are to be soley discussed between the thread starter and Josephus only unless either one of them invites others to the conversation. There are other discussion forums that exist for public discussion of issues."
I guess I'll be more specific in my question. In 1 Corrintians 12:10 it says, " to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." It is in this context of scripture that I ask my question. Is that type of prophecy still around? Are there modern day prophets? It does not say "to all" the working of miracles, "to all" prophecy, "to all" discerning of the spirits, "to all" different kinds of tongues, or "to all" the interpretation of tongues.
What scripture states that all Christians have the gift of prophecy to some extent, and that some are just "good at it"?
Also, the first rule of the ask Josephus forum is as follows -
"Therefore all threads are to be soley discussed between the thread starter and Josephus only unless either one of them invites others to the conversation. There are other discussion forums that exist for public discussion of issues."
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No. Please excuse my wording. The gift is avaiable to all who ask for it. Some simply don't. Read 1 Corinthians 14 (especially verse 3 in light of your original question.) The gift is available to all, some people simply do not tap into it. Christ told us anything we ask for in His name will be given us...will He not surely keep His promise if we ask for gifts which build up the kingdom?
Furthermore,
Look at your quoted verse again. By your logic you seem to be suggesting that there then are some Christians who don't have the gift of faith (v. 9)! How then, may I ask, are they Christians? "For it is by grace alone, through faith" that one is saved. And that faith is a seed which comes not from our selves, but is a gift of God, "not by works lest we should boast." So, the text itself would seem to show that while some gifts may be more limited, others are aportioned out to all, which some members of the body having an exceptional amount thereof, often because they have asked their Lord for it. Check out Elisha's request in 2 Kings 2!
The gifts of the Spirit are as unique as those who use them. But, again, read chapter 14...it's enlightening and completely in context.
Yes, I recently was made award of this. Thank you for your rebuke. Since that time Josephus has invited me to respond freely to any message within certain guidelines. The rule should be changed shortly hereafter. Please forgive us for not making it known sooner.
Peace to all who seek it.
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Sorry it took so long to get back.
You are waaaay off, Othniel.
First of all, we do not pray for specific gifts to be given to us by God. We make ourselves humble before Him, and ask Him to be an instrument for His Will! To each, God gives us the gifts as He sees fit.
1 Cor 12:7-11
"7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
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