| Author | Message | ||
| Dljc Registered user Username: Dljc Post Number: 351 Registered: 7-2010 |
In our Thursday night Bible Study we've been going through the Book of John. We just finished up chapter 14 and 15 over the last couple of weeks. There is a lot in these two chapters, and I admit we're only doing a cursory study understanding how we can apply this to our lives. In these two chapters we can see 2 things that Jesus talks about. 1) He foretells what's about to happen so they will believe. 2) He talks about sending the Comforter--Holy Spirit--Holy Ghost (whichever you prefer). Which brought up the question, "if we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and teach us, and bring to our remembrance all that He told us; why would we need a prophet?" If Jesus has already told us everything we need to know through His Word, it just makes sense to me that there is no need for another prophet. I know what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:28 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. But wouldn't that mean there should also be Apostles like Paul? Why don't we have anyone claiming to be an Apostle? An Apostle would be a higher position wouldn't it? Thing is, we have the Holy Spirit and it's through Him that all things are revealed. I'm not saying we don't have any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, I'm merely asking, why would we need a prophet? Jesus told us in Matthew 23 there is only one teacher and that is Him. (23:8) Thoughts? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12264 Registered: 12-2003  |
Richard had a great statement the other day about prophets: Old Testament prophets pointed forward to the Lord Jesus; New Testament prophets point back to the Lord Jesus. OT prophets foretold coming events; the NT gift of prophecy is still about Jesus--but there's no new revelation. Instead, a prophetic voice will always point people to the Lord Jesus and to His revealed will in His word. They will be for the building up and encouragement of the body of Christ. Colleen | ||
| Dljc Registered user Username: Dljc Post Number: 352 Registered: 7-2010 |
Good points Colleen and Richard.  I often comment when looking at these passages of Jesus foretelling what was going to happen so the disciples would believe; that we have the benefit of "hindsight is 20/20". We are looking back at what Jesus said and did while here on earth, the disciples were witnessing it as it happened. Both require faith in all that He did and who He said He is. | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 1003 Registered: 2-2008  |
I would also like to point out that the verse in 1Cor. 12:28 says, "prophets" which is plural. These gifts were given as Colleen said for edifying the church. I want to go a little further and point out that within the context of 1Cor. 12, these gifts were given to the body of Christ. Paul makes a point that not one part of the body is more important than the other. So to uplift a "prophet" above other gifts within the body of Christ goes against God's purpose for the gift. ... and then Paul ends that chapter and says "I show you a still more excellent way." Without love, the gift is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal... sounds a lot like EGW's writings. ;) vivian | ||
| Dljc Registered user Username: Dljc Post Number: 356 Registered: 7-2010 |
Good points Vivian! |
