Who are AUTHORIZED messengers of God?
AUTHORIZED messengers of God are preachers SENT by God who DELIVER messages FROM [/b ]God. Only messages that come God can turn on the power to become children of God.
The Catholic Church claims she is the true church by papal succession from Peter and as such, her priests are alleged to be messengers of God. Most Protestant Churches claim apostolic succession and as such, their pastors are alleged to be messengers of God. Some Protestant Churches who imagine themselves as non-denominational claim their founders are prophets and as such, their pastors are alleged to be messengers of God.
Can their claim stand against the Word of God? How can we test if someone from any these churches is truly an authorized messenger of God?
The Bible tells us that a "fellow servant, and of the brethren is one that has the TESTIMONY oOF JESUS: for the testimony of Jesus is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. (Rev. 19:10). What prophecy did Jesus cite to testify that he was indeed sent by God? Luke 6:16-21 records the account where Jesus was handed the book of the prophets and read what prophet Isaiah prophesied about him. Then he told them "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Does any of these so-called messengers of God have this spirit of prophecy?
The Bible also tells us that "if they speak not according to this word (meaning the word of God), it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). The Living Bible Version of Isaiah 8:20 is more blunt. It says: "Check these witches' words against the Word of God!" he says. "If their messages are different than mine, it is because I have not sent then; for they have no light or truth in them."
Therefore, anyone who truly desires to acquire the right or power to become a child of God (John 1:12) must be very careful in receiving (Matt. 10:40) anyone who claims to be a messenger of God. A messenger that is not sent by God brings false messages that can only lead to eternal destruction.
These so-called messengers of God must be tested against the law and the testimony.
First, test their doctrines against the doctrine of God. Remember 2 John 9 where it says: "whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God..."
Next, test their testimony. Do they have the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy? There are those who claim that they are prophets. But remember what God said to Moses in Deut. 18:20 -22 NIV:
"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, he must be put to death."
"You may say to yourselves. "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?"
"If what a prophet proclaims in name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptously. Do not be afraid of him."
Ed
AUTHORIZED messengers of God are preachers SENT by God who DELIVER messages FROM [/b ]God. Only messages that come God can turn on the power to become children of God.
The Catholic Church claims she is the true church by papal succession from Peter and as such, her priests are alleged to be messengers of God. Most Protestant Churches claim apostolic succession and as such, their pastors are alleged to be messengers of God. Some Protestant Churches who imagine themselves as non-denominational claim their founders are prophets and as such, their pastors are alleged to be messengers of God.
Can their claim stand against the Word of God? How can we test if someone from any these churches is truly an authorized messenger of God?
The Bible tells us that a "fellow servant, and of the brethren is one that has the TESTIMONY oOF JESUS: for the testimony of Jesus is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. (Rev. 19:10). What prophecy did Jesus cite to testify that he was indeed sent by God? Luke 6:16-21 records the account where Jesus was handed the book of the prophets and read what prophet Isaiah prophesied about him. Then he told them "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Does any of these so-called messengers of God have this spirit of prophecy?
The Bible also tells us that "if they speak not according to this word (meaning the word of God), it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). The Living Bible Version of Isaiah 8:20 is more blunt. It says: "Check these witches' words against the Word of God!" he says. "If their messages are different than mine, it is because I have not sent then; for they have no light or truth in them."
Therefore, anyone who truly desires to acquire the right or power to become a child of God (John 1:12) must be very careful in receiving (Matt. 10:40) anyone who claims to be a messenger of God. A messenger that is not sent by God brings false messages that can only lead to eternal destruction.
These so-called messengers of God must be tested against the law and the testimony.
First, test their doctrines against the doctrine of God. Remember 2 John 9 where it says: "whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God..."
Next, test their testimony. Do they have the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy? There are those who claim that they are prophets. But remember what God said to Moses in Deut. 18:20 -22 NIV:
"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, he must be put to death."
"You may say to yourselves. "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?"
"If what a prophet proclaims in name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptously. Do not be afraid of him."
Ed