Is the New Testament prophetic ministry only for encouragement purposes?
Before the question is addressed, we need to be clear on certain basic truths. In the New Covenant, the Spirit is building His temple; maturing Christ’s Bride. Therefore, everything He does and says is in that context only.
Now the idea that New Testament prophecy is only for encouragement purposes (saying only positive things) has come from trying to build the whole truth on New Testament prophetic ministry from only a single verse of scripture.
Many times, even the words in that scripture are also not interpreted properly. In I Corinthians 14:3, it says that prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort. People have interpreted edification, exhortation, and comfort as saying nice and positive things to people. It is not entirely true, Luke 3:18 calls John the Baptist’s strong preaching as an exhortation. His ministry in Isaiah 40 is called comfort and John openly corrected sin. Scriptures speak for themselves. From this, we can concur that comfort or exhortation can also be achieved in the context of correction according to scripture.
Now when talking the prophetic ministry and correction, the ministry that stands out is the ministry of John the Baptist. There are those who would want to categorize John’s ministry as relative to the Old Covenant and thereby that it is not for today. We cannot set aside John the Baptist’s ministry as from the old covenant because Matthew 11:13 says that all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. This implies that the ministry of John the Baptist was not in the Old Covenant.
If some would say, his ministry was in an intermediate timeline between the two covenants, his message however was continued on by Jesus. Jesus started his ministry by preaching repentance. Some of His prophecies to believers in regard to the end times and His warnings are not at all positive if we judge by the standards that are followed by some today. Also, Jesus’ address (John’s prophecies) to five of the seven churches contains quite a few stern words. Therefore, the truths in this regard is applicable to today’s prophetic ministry.
In conclusion, New Testament prophecy also includes confronting sin, rebuking and bringing in correction IN LOVE AND WITH WISDOM.
Whether the prophecies are as in God blessing you or encouraging you in your walk or comforting you when you are sad or bringing in correction it has to ultimately edify, exhort or comfort. Those prophesying should always relate to the body with only those intentions.
(For more info click on, Where is the prophetic movement today?- 1)
Is setting up rules and regulations legalism?
Firstly, we need to understand that we are not under the law (Romans 6:14). This does not mean one can be lawless. Galatians 5:18 says -but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Not being under the law has a requirement, which is to be under the Spirit’s guidance. The Spirit writes God’s law in our hearts and causes us to obey them.
In regard to setting up rules and regulations; it is equivalent to the applying the law. However, rules (laws) and regulations by themselves are not necessarily legalistic. The way they are applied, and the motive of their application determines whether it becomes legalistic or not.
To clarify a few things, rules are never liberating, rather they help with constraint for a period of time. True freedom is in the Spirit and not in the law. However, till that can be achieved rules are needed. Even though the law may lead to man’s sinful nature becoming even more rebellious, it is a better place than having no law at all as it is a far worse state and also the law in its proper application points people to true freedom in Christ.
Here are some important things to consider when setting up rules.
- Are we doing it in God’s Love?
- Outward rules are temporary and are intended to keep people protected or help them till they learn to live right without them.
- The application of rules should be with wisdom and flexibility (This is not in regard to moral laws) according to each situation.
WhICH SETS OF LAWS are APPLICABLE TO US FROM the Old TO THE New Testament? ARE THERE DIFFERENT STANDARDS FOR JUDGING IN THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT?
In the Old Testament, there are nearly 613 laws. They could be classified as Ceremonial Laws, Civil Laws, and Moral Laws.
Ceremonial Laws dealt with the different offerings, festivals, and requirements for high priests. Civil laws had to mainly do with Israel’s governance at that time. Moral Laws included the Ten Commandments.
When Jesus came, He did two things. He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and not only that He used His authority to establish (build on) further some parts of the Law (Example-Matthew 5:20 to 27).
Firstly, when we consider one aspect of the law being fulfilled by Christ, it is in regard to the ceremonial laws (He also fulfilled the moral laws). The ceremonial laws include requirements for the high priests, the laws for different burnt offerings, festivals and Sabbaths. These are laws that are no more required of us! (Read Colossians 2:16 in context)
The laws that He established (further built on) were mainly moral laws (Matthew 5:20 to 27). We see this pattern in the writings of the apostles also as they emphasize on holy and righteous living (Ex- Galatians 5:19-21).
There were laws that were changed going into the New. In civil laws, we could include requirements on food as an example. The New Testament however doesn’t have any such requirements on food, save a few. (Peter’s vision- Acts 10:10 to 16; also read Acts 15, emphasis on verse 20).
So, in concluding this line of thoughts, from the Old to the New Testament the moral laws still remain the same. All moral laws spring from loving God and Loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:37 to 40, emphasis verse 40). The civil laws have changed or were only applicable to Jewish people (not all) and the ceremonial laws are not required anymore.
Now, in regard to the consequences our focus is mainly on moral laws as it pertains to the New Testament. In the Old Testament we see many a times that people were judged instantaneously for their sins. Now, if we follow the Biblical pattern into the New Testament it seems to have changed all of a sudden and there seems to be no consequence for a person’s sin. On the contrary nothing has changed in that regard.
It’s just that someone else (Jesus) has taken that consequence on Himself and the same Person is interceding on behalf of us!
If we see the Old Testament pattern, if there were an intercessor in place, people were spared of the consequence (of course with repentance soon coming). In the New Testament Jesus Himself and the Spirit are our intercessors. What a great privilege we have!!
However, this should not be taken as a license to continue in sin; for a far worse punishment awaits those who are living under Grace and are sinning intentionally after having a knowledge of the truth. (Hebrews 10:26 to 29).
Can a believer suffer from “generational curses”?
No, he should not. However, this answer must be understood in context. On one hand the cross of Christ has set us free from all curses. On the other not everybody experiences this freedom at the point of their introduction to Christ.
For example, Christ through His sacrifice provides us with forgiveness of sins, deliverance from sin, healing (physical, spiritual and emotional), sets us free from all curses and so on…
When we are introduced to Christ other than the primary truth of forgiveness of sins not all of us have a revelation of all the other things Christ accomplished on the Cross. We come to an understanding (understanding-truths become revelation to us) of these truths as we further walk with the Lord and are also liberated subsequently.
Applying this principle, we can say a person could receive deliverance from generational curses later in His walk with God and not necessarily at the point of His coming to Christ. Deliverance comes when he sees that Christ has taken on Himself all his curses or consequences of his sins.
It all comes down to at what point the truth that has already been established in Christ becomes revelation to him.
Can we live free from sin or can we walk perfect without sinning?
While the Word says, if we say that we are without sin we are liars, it also brings out God’s standard of perfection for us to aim for. The answer to the questions is yes. We can come to a place of perfection. This might be surprising and hard to believe. However, the line of thinking here is, if God expects that kind of a standard from us, then it is possible.
In the Old Testament, there were several people who lived without sinning after Adam’s fall. Romans 5:14 can be interpreted in that light. This was because sin hadn’t taken root in them yet. Today however it is a different scenario, not only has sin taken deep root in all of us but lawlessness abounds like never before. However, God has made enough provisions for us to walk free from bondage to sin.
1)He has destroyed our sinful nature on the cross.
Rom 6:6 ‘Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin‘ (Read chapter 6 in context)
Colossians 2:11 ‘In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ‘
The sinful nature is the root of all manner of sin. James says we are enticed by our own lusts (from our sinful nature). The devil can only tempt us through our sinful nature.
When Christ’s body was destroyed on the cross, it symbolized the destruction of our sinful nature. When we believe this truth, it is actually accomplished in us. This produces freedom from all addictions of sin. Now we need to understand that in life’s journey the enemy would challenge our position by tempting us or making us think that it is not true. If we continue in faith, we will surely continue to walk victorious.
2)The Grace of God teaches us and empowers us.
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world”.
Not only does God provide us with His Grace to teach us to walk before Him in holiness, but He has also given us His power to resist sin when tempted. From another perspective we can say that the Spirit of Grace teaches us to differentiate right from wrong. He also gives us the strength to overcome sin.
Summarizing, the root or the main reason that causes us to sin has been destroyed and we are free from bondage to sin (Romans 6:18). We have the best tutor and guide in the Spirit who helps us discern from right and wrong and leads us into all truth. He also supplies us with the power to overcome sin when tempted by it. What more can one ask? There is no excuse.
These truths need to become revelation in one’s life. Failure to live in Holiness and Righteousness and lowering the standards set in the Word are mainly as a result of not wanting to yield (surrender) to God totally and walk in obedience before Him.
Today, we live in a culture of unbelief that says we will never walk perfect before God in this life. That is why people often stumble and fall. If we start preaching the truth that it is possible to live perfect without being moved by our present state, then within a period of time faith will arise for it, and then it will surely BE (happen) according to our faith.
If a person charges money for PROPHECY, is his prophecy false? IS HE A FALSE PROPHET?
Not necessarily in entirety. He might have a genuine gift but could be misusing it. Balaam prophesied almost two chapters of the Bible even when he was in error. His prophecies were accurate. However, Balaam continued to walk in the wrong pathway and was called a false prophet by Peter in the end.
So, in light of this passage the person could very well be prophesying accurately but his motives could be wrong! If he continues like Balaam, he will end up being a false prophet or he could very well repent of his mistakes.
Does God use imperfect vessels?
The answer to the question is God gives His power to individuals at the place of surrender and never at the place of error. It might be true that the individual after receiving the power might have gone astray at some point later in his life, but it is against scripture to suggest that term out of context as is commonly done today.
Everyone in scripture who received real power from God did it at the place of surrender. There was one person in scripture by the name of Simon whose motive wasn’t right when wanting God’s power and he was rebuked for that.
Now does that mean we have to become perfect to get God’s power? No. However, we need to be in a place total surrender, a place of complete willingness for God to have total control over our lives. That is the scriptural pattern.
Today mistakes of the saints in the Old and New are quoted to show that God uses imperfect vessels. Also, some of the saints of our times whom God used in power, like Evan Roberts and A.A Allan are also often quoted in that context. What we tend to leave out in that is Evan Roberts, A.A Allan and others received that power at the place of surrender.
Allan had to comply with 11 things before God would give him His power. If we would read those 11 points it talks quite a bit on denying oneself and taking up one’s cross.
My point again, God does not give His power to vessels that are not in the place of willingness to surrender totally.
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