Gift Of Prophecy

[RV]

One of the earlier Supreme Court justices said that it was hard to define hard core pornoography "but i know it when i see it."

I think the same is true for those with this gift of prophecy. sometimes it is difficult to define or express, but you know it when you hear it.

Thanks TK, interesting... Hard Core porn and Prophecy

Let me clarify a little:

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. ACT 11:28

Does anyone have a story or experience similar (doesn't need to exactly) to this one? Where someone gave a prophecy and it came true?

[Paidion]

One of the leading brethren in the circle of fellowship with which my local assembly is a part, prophesied in the 1950s that the day was coming when an incurable disease would come upon mankind and that it would spread rapidly.

In more recent years, many in the circle have thought that the prophecy came true when AIDS came on the scene.

[TK]

i really dont think that "future-telling" prophecy is primarily (if at all) what Paul was talking about when he discussed this gift.

if someone can prove otherwise, i'm willing to listen (read).

TK

[RV]

One of the leading brethren in the circle of fellowship with which my local assembly is a part, prophesied in the 1950s that the day was coming when an incurable disease would come upon mankind and that it would spread rapidly.

In more recent years, many in the circle have thought that the prophecy came true when AIDS came on the scene.

Again very vage... some cancers are "incurable." I'm sure some things in 1950 were consider incurable as well, yet they're able to be cured now.

i really dont think that "future-telling" prophecy is primarily (if at all) what Paul was talking about when he discussed this gift.

if someone can prove otherwise, i'm willing to listen (read).

Hi TK, first explain why it isn't what Paul meant.

[Sean]

Does anyone have a story where a prophet was real? Or you yourself are a prophet and have an experience to share?

My wife had a miscarriage and took it very hard and was mad at God about it. She didn't understand why He would allow something like that to happen. After about a year of not being able to get pregnant again, and going to multiple doctors who could not find anything wrong that should prevent pregnancy and had prescribed medication to try and help her to become pregnant, she gave up. She stopped taking the medications given to her and gave up on the doctors. She broke down and prayed to God for forgivness as her anger at God was sinful, and she told God that no matter what happends she was willing to accept it and not blame Him for it.

God spoke to her and told her:
"You will be pregnant soon" "You will have a son" "You will name him Jacob" "He will bring glory to my name"

She came out of our bedroom and told me what God told her. She didn't know what to think since this had never happened before. I was skeptical, but I told her that there is one way to find out. Within 30 days her pregnancy test showed positive. There was a bit more she was told, but I don't think it was about the future.

There is Jacob on the right, my firstborn son!



People may wonder why I don't put my faith in doctors. With a God like ours, who needs doctors?

[TK]

RV wrote:

Hi TK, first explain why it isn't what Paul meant.

because in the context of his discussion of this gift, which isnt very extensive, i dont think he was talking about people in the church constantly predicting future events.

TK

[Sean]

I read through the old thread on this and this one and I'm not sure what to make of the gift of "prophecy". I'm not sure I'm sold on it being "forthtelling" because that seems to be another word I don't fully understand that is being used to explain the word in question (prophecy). I'm still trying to understand this issue and make up my mind on it.

It seems that the woman at the well thought Jesus was a prophet because He knew something a stranger could not know. Paul seems to be saying the same thing when he states:

1Co 14:23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
1Co 14:25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

So it would seem that one aspect is knowing something that would otherwise be impossible to know, and using this knowledge for building up, encouragement and consolation.

1Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
1Co 14:30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
1Co 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
1Co 14:32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.


First, it seems that one that gives a prophesy is a prophet. At least that's what I gather from chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians. But what I don't understand is why the others (I take this to mean the other prophets) should "judge" or weigh what is said if what is being said is encouraging. Unless you can be encouraged to do something falsely, as the false prophets of the OT would do. So is someone what speaks by prophesy is basically speaking something by revelation knowledge, that could be a revelation about the future or it could be a revelation for the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort.

Then Paul says:

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

It seems as if a prophet can also verify if something said by someone (i.e. concerning doctrine) is true or not. Paul is willing to let his own words be verified by a prophet.

[TK]

Here is what Chuck Smith says about it:

But he that prophesies speaks unto men for edification, and exhortation, and comfort (1Cr 14:3).

So the gift of prophecy has much broader benefits.

The area of the New Testament prophet was not so much foretelling as it was forth telling. Speaking forth God's truth to the people. As we speak forth God's truth to the people, they are built up in their faith. They are built up in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They are built up in their fellowship with the Lord. As we speak forth God's truth, they are exhorted in their walk with the Lord, in their commitment to Jesus Christ, in their abandonment of the flesh to live and to walk after the Spirit. And they are exhorted to trust the Lord, to commit to the Lord, to believe in the Lord. They are comforted as we speak forth God's Word, as they realize it is all in God's hands and God will take care of it, and God is going to work. And as I just patiently wait, I shall see the work of God and glorify Him and praise His name, and I am comforted by the Word of God.

The gift of prophecy has a broad value as the church is benefited by its exercise. Benefited because it is built up, it is exhorted, it is comforted, it is encouraged, which is, of course, exhortation.

He that speaks in an unknown tongue is built up himself (1Cr 14:4);

It builds you up. It is a blessed experience, one that does build you up.

TK

[Paidion]

Sean, you are right that when a true prophecy is given, things are disclosed which are not naturally known by those who give the prophecy. As you quoted from I Cor 14:25, "the secrets of his heart are disclosed."

Also, in I Cor 13, it is indicated that "we prophesy in part. Some things, but not everything about a person is disclosed. But when the perfect has come (perfect love), then we shall know (everything about others) as we are known (by God).

I don't think, however, that everyone who gives a true prophecy, is a prophet. For as you quoted, only two or three prophets were to prophesy in the meetings, and others (I take that to mean other prophets) are to weigh what is said (vs 29). However, Paul indicates that ALL people in a Christian meeting may prophesy (vs 31).

[RV]

I saw that picture on another thread Sean, cute kids. Congrats on the forth. I've got a forth on the way myself.

So it would seem that one aspect is knowing something that would otherwise be impossible to know, and using this knowledge for building up, encouragement and consolation.

That would make sense. I've heard stories of people giving warnings and things like that.