prophesying

[jonathanbchristian]

Every Christian is called to prophesy. The Bible says we should all desire to prophesy; thats calling. It also says you all may prophesy; thats qualification. Do all prophesy? No because many are called and few are chosen. Seek it brother and sister. Only a few will believe this.

 

[Rebecca0630]

I could use some prayers if you don't mind. I could use some guidance/direction from The Lord with a few things right now. could use prayers and anything The Lord may show you for me.

 

[Bramwell]

Hi Jonathan,

Jesus said that, until he started his ministry, John the Baptist was the greatest prophet who had ever lived. Yet the weakest Christian must be greater than John. (Luke 7:28)

The Apostle Peter said that, each time we speak, we should do so as God's mouthpiece. (I Peter 4:11) (A prophet is one who speaks as God's mouthpiece.) So if we are to be God's mouthpieces, we need to think about what He wants to say.

God is angry about the way the world has treated His Son. They've taken his name in vain -- calling themselves Christians when they haven't the slightest interest in seriously obeying anything that Jesus has told us to do.

To act as true mouthpieces for God, we must be tuned in to His will. That means taking time to listen to God - He can speak to us through our conscience, dreams, visions, etc. And it also means taking time to study and apply the teachings of Jesus in our lives. It is from this background that one can best bring the words of the Lord to a dying world.

 

[Edouard]

Define Prophesy.

If you remember when the Discples were sent out: they all were given different gifts.
Even in Corinthians it tells us that we all have different gifts. Examine he O.T there were many good Rabbi's that were not Prophets. Just because you follow God does not mean one is a Prophet.

If yo view Prophesy as to speak the future that is no more. In the OT - prophets were placed in order to bring the world to God and tell them of His plan (Jesus). On that note ditto what Bramwell spoke above.

 

[TaylorSexton]

Paul instructs all to seek after prophesy, but I don't believe it is a command for all to prophesy. Here is why I think that:

Prior to Paul saying "covet to prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:39) he gives a discourse on the functioning of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). In verses 8-12, he seems to be making the case that not everyone will have the same gifts. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (emphasis mine). Prophecy is included within this list (v. 10). Paul asks later, "Are all prophets?" (v. 29) within a series of questions, the answer to each being no.

Yes, all Christians should seek to prophesy, but I believe we are at fault if, based on the text above, we expect every Christian to be gifted with the gift.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"Define Prophesy"

Sure - no problem, y'all.

Prophesy is a temporary spiritual enablement which enables a person to speak, generally in the common tongue, a message directly FROM God communicated by the Holy Spirit to one's MIND. The person delegated by God to prophesy will sense a "Burden" to deliver the Word, AND the beginning phrases of the message itself. WHen the time is right, the person will speak the words that he has, in the faith that more of the message will flow. the speaker will speak the words as supplied by the Holy Spirit are spoken to the intended audience until the message/utterance is complete.

Then the "burden" wil be gone, and the one speaking the prophesy should be quiet, and not ADD to the word from his own personal feelings.

The SUBJECT of the Prophetic utterance may be "Foretelling", but is more generally "Forthtelling". It'll generally be Exhortation, Correction, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discernation of Spirits, Spiritual insights to Scripture - in fact ANY SPOKEN gift fits under the category of Prophetic utterance.

When Jesus says: (Mark 13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

He's describing a "Prophetic Ministry".

Simple as that.

 

[tturt]

Great post Bob.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7

A few NT examples:

A famine was prophesied and they were able to prepare for it Acts 11:28-30.

Luke 1 Mary is told by an angel that she'll have a son and to name him Yeshua.

Paul tells Timothy because of the personal prophesies he had received previously, he would be able to make good warfare. I Tim 1:18

Acts 13:9: Paul prophesies that Elymas the magician would be struck blind - and he was.

In 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, Paul prophesied about Yeshua's Second Coming.

 

[Edouard]

Prophetic Ministry: define this.
Prophesy: when one is "prophesying" what is one doing?

It sounds like after reading three different posts. there are several different definitions implied.

Speaking in tongues is only to be done amongst an interpreter/unless speaking a language know to the audience.

 

[tturt]

Any tongue can be interpreted (I Cor 14:8) even when we're alone.

 

[Bramwell]

Good post, Bob. I agree with your general summation of prophecy.

I just wanted to add that all prophecy should line up with the teachings of Jesus if it is genuine. If not, we must question the authenticity of the prophecy.

The Bible says that the teachings of Jesus are the spirit behind all (true) prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) In other words, if a prophetic message is contradictory to what Jesus taught (e.g. blessed are the rich, or teaching a tooth for a tooth, etc.), then it is not a genuine prophecy from God. Something good to keep in mind for discerning genuine prophecy from falsehood.

 

[martyglo]

Praying in tongues can be done anywhere, and needs not interpretation as it is the Holy Spirit praying for us, but giving a word in tongues is for the corporate body and someone should interpret.

 

[martyglo]

Good post, Bob. I agree with your general summation of prophecy.

I just wanted to add that all prophecy should line up with the teachings of Jesus if it is genuine. If not, we must question the authenticity of the prophecy.

The Bible says that the teachings of Jesus are the spirit behind all (true) prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) In other words, if a prophetic message is contradictory to what Jesus taught (e.g. blessed are the rich, or teaching a tooth for a tooth, etc.), then it is not a genuine prophecy from God. Something good to keep in mind for discerning genuine prophecy from falsehood.

That is true, if anything that comes to us does not line up with the word of God, it's wrong. I've said many times to family and friends, "IF you heard something from God that does not line up with the Word of God, then you listened wrong". Period.

This goes for words of prophecy, teaching or whatever.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"I just wanted to add that all prophecy should line up with the teachings of Jesus if it is genuine. If not, we must question the authenticity of the prophecy."

GOOD!!! If Jesus says something is WHITE, and some "Prophet" tells you it's BLACK - thou hadst best RUN from him.

In our church (DeSoto Assembly of God, DeSoto, TX), back in the '80s a "Prophet" announced to the congregation that IT WAS NOT GOD'S WILL FOR US TO GROW NUMERICALLY!!! The Church "Ate it Whole" - hook line and sinker, cancelled all its outreach, and promptly began to dry up and die.

It shouldn't take a doctor of theology to see through THAT false prophesy in a millisecond!!! But the church didn't and ALMOST went out of existence until a new pastor came in and turned that stupidity around.

ALL New Testament prophesy MUST BE JUDGED, and only a FOOL commits resources, or acts on the basis of an unconfirmed Word.

Prophetic utterance CAN, and sometimes DOES, however, contradict Denominational theologies, however, which are only based on "Interpretations" of the Word, and not the Word itself.

 

[tturt]

Yea, receiving a prophetic word is just the beginning of a process.

"Despise not prophesyings.21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." I Thes 5:20-21.

We prove all things by - Foremost we have Holy Scripture and The Holy Spirit, prayer, hearing God’s voice, spiritual discernment, confirmation (Acts 9;9-19 especially v 10-12; II Cor 13:1), and Godly counsel (Prov 11:14)

 

[stormdancer0]

Define Prophesy.

If you remember when the Discples were sent out: they all were given different gifts.
Even in Corinthians it tells us that we all have different gifts. Examine he O.T there were many good Rabbi's that were not Prophets. Just because you follow God does not mean one is a Prophet.

If yo view Prophesy as to speak the future that is no more. In the OT - prophets were placed in order to bring the world to God and tell them of His plan (Jesus). On that note ditto what Bramwell spoke above.

There is a vast difference between being a prophet and prophesying.

Being a prophet is a job. Not everyone can be a prophet. They are specially called by God to do the work of a prophet, and are an adviser to the king.

Anyone can prophesy. God can cause a non-believer to prophesy. Just look at Balaam. But we don't have the gifts prevelant today like they were in the first century church, because we are not willing. People don't get healed because we are not willing to pray for instant healing; we need to have the boldness to pray for healing and expect - believe - that healing will take place. That is our part. God's healing is HIS part. Sometimes He heals and sometimes He doesn't. That does not diminish what we did in faith, praying for them.

Some prophecies do not get given, because we aren't willing to stand up and give the prophecy. As soon as we are willing, God will use us.

 

[ProAngel]

1 Corinthians 14v1 says "Pursue love, desire spiritual gifts, but most importantly to PROPHESY"
I believe that every believer can earnestly desire to prophesy an prophesy.

 

[Bro in Christ]

Every Christian is called to prophesy. The Bible says we should all desire to prophesy; thats calling. It also says you all may prophesy; thats qualification. Do all prophesy? No because many are called and few are chosen. Seek it brother and sister. Only a few will believe this.

yes the Corinthians where called to do so.. But are we in the same situation ?

eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone

question is how long does one keep adding foundation when building a house?
eph 3:18,

eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

2nd question God has given different gifts ... and not all have the gift of prophesy since not all are prophets . 1peter 4:10 singular gift only 1 cor 12:4 different gifts 1 cor 12:5

the Corinthians were warned of prophesy of failing .... 1 cor 13:8 WHY? maybe 2 cor 5:7 is a key verse

just something to think about with scripture