A Rare Rebuttal

Today’s Thought A Rare Rebuttal G. Ward

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15

Rarely, do I respond to some entirely despondent to unadulterated truth. We however, should be accountable to our discerning Holy God’s word, while inspiring others to follow suit. Although we may think our discernment is heart-felt (among our supposed constituency), we must understand that there’s a network in believer-ship that will never ascribe to an independent way towards Holy God (cf. Ac. 17:11).

This blog on today is a response to an article written by an Associate Pastor at our church. His daily blog, like mine, seeks to promote an independent evaluation in truth by every believer. Furthermore, it determines that the theology given to our great–grandparents is yet sufficient for today (Heb.13:8). This article asks a question; how important are prophets today?

First, let's agree on Jesus as God in the flesh (Jn.1:1-2), however Jesus should never be equated as a mere prophet, whether designated head or not (the Muslims declare that, not Christians). The passage (Heb.1:1-2) emphasizes a freedom expression for the NT believer. It shares a priesthood for every one confessing HIM as Lord by admonishing new Jewish believers to not settle in to the ways of Judaism. In times past means that's the way things were. The eschatological implication of last days indicate for the time remaining HE speaks through the Son (via the Spirit of Christ - cf. Jn.16:5-14) = God speaks with His people direct according to His word (cf. Ro.10:8). People of God now expound on Truth (He [Truth] is a Person - Jn. 14:6) solely within the parameters of Holy God's word (and it's enough for all our lifetime). In times past it took a prophet to declare the things of God, now the Holy Spirit is on the inside of every believer sharing and confirming the things of God (cf. Ro.8:9, Eph.1:13-14). *Remember, But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you (Jn.16:13-14).

 

*Now exactly why would any believer need a prophet when they have Holy God on the inside? Those who equip others, whether you believe them to be a prophet, apostle or otherwise, equip other believers for their ability to reproduce other believers (Eph.4:11-12), creating a reliance on Holy God, independent of man's potential error (and please know that all of us are subject to err). If modern day believers want to believe it takes a prophet to declare God's work, so be it! Amazingly, limitations about Holy God are being exacerbated by the many who await such a cause. Moreover, the same one declaring the things of God are the ones needing God! Considering we were created from the dust of the earth (all of us), it's like dirt telling more dirt to clean up! Man is entirely limited, but God is infinite wisdom, so whose report do I need to support? There would be less prophets (particularly in this modernity) if the OT rule in Dt. 18:20-22 applied ( But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ ²¹ You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ ²² When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.).

Those still looking for a sign and a wonder are just not trusting God (Mt. 12:³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” ³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.)! His desire is for a loving, personal, most intimate relationship with mankind (2 Pe.3:9).

Isn't it amazing that so called modern day prophets always have something good to say to today's believers (as if they're even a little compliant with Holy God's word)? That same modern prophesy, most certainly speaks to health and wealth matters (positively so), while the prophet of old pronounced droughts, eminent death and exile for God's chosen (because of their obstinacy)? Have we overcome ours (cf. Ro.3:10, 23)?

Happy Tuesday!