The “Office” of a Bondservant
Why does Paul say this? Because written scripture (including Paul’s own writings) always trumps spontaneous prophecy.
According to the New Testament, the “office” of a prophet (if we have to word it like that), is exactly as the other four listed ministries - a position of Servanthood, for the building up of the Church, for the glory of God: Being a prophet is to serve the Body of Christ, in the House of the Lord, like a Pastor or a Teacher, etc. We are not celebrities…We are bond-servants. We’re merely serving in the Body; I don’t have a more spiritual walk than you…I’m likely not more mature than you…I certainly didn’t earn the ministry of prophet. I’m just serving in the Body, in the capacity that the Lord decided to give me, like every other faithful believer. (Maybe if we stopped using the term “office of prophet” and “office of apostle” it would change the dynamics of the church for the better.) Because the Lord will judge me, based, not on how popular I was, but on how OBEDIENT I was.
Let everyone (including prophets) be subject one to another. When operating within the Church fellowship let every prophet be subject to the shepherd of that flock and the elders, when prophesying. See Titus 1:5
Scriptures such as James 3:1 help us put the whole “5-fold ministry” concept into perspective: -
“Not many of you should become Teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
In reading this, we realize that the effective functioning of the Body of Christ requires much more than just the “apostle” and the “prophet”. Basically, we are ALL important within the Body!
Above everything else let ALL be subject to the Word of the Lord: the Holy Spirit’s PRIMARY way of speaking and through which He is BEST known. And for me personally, given the choice between prophecy and teaching the Word, I will choose “sola scriptura” (Scripture alone) every time. Read Matthew 24:35 & 1Corinthians 13:8.
However, this downward spiral that we seem to be descending in the more charismatic branches of the Church…discarding more and more the written Scripture, in favor of
“new/fresh revelation” … “another gospel” …
or even “another Bible” (aka the Passion Translation) has become grievous and frightening. How long will we idolize the gift, instead of truly worshipping the Giver (we can’t do both - it’s either one or the other).
The Holy Spirit is always revealing himself in fresh ways and giving us fresh revelation, through His Word - if we would only set about to know Him through reading it (This is what Paul was referring to in Ephesians 1:17) … or at least put ourselves under anointed teachers, whom the Spirit has equipped to rightly divide the Word of Truth for us.
What is the best training we can receive as prophets? Read, hear and study the Word of God:
If we wish to prophesy in truth, we must know Who is the Source of All Truth - and the ONLY source of Truth:
The Lord, who is the Word (John 1:1-2),
who breathed the Word (2Timothy 3:16-17) and who is revealed through His Word (Hebrews 1:1)
Right now, we’re “having fun” with the anointing - and I’m not saying this is a bad thing (Personally I have benefited greatly from this time) - but it’s the best way to describe the “season” we’re in.) And the Holy Spirit, by His Grace, is allowing it - and using it…because He wants to impact people’s lives. But we must make the most of this freedom that we have been given: Because this freedom - this “season” - has an end date.
A. h. W.
The Prophet Part 2
Written February 22,2024
Once again I write to warn my brothers and sisters about the elitist structure - the pyramid that is the New Apostolic Reformation:
“Together, we are His house, built on the foundation (the Logos/the Scriptures) of the apostles (New Covenant) and the prophets (Old Covenant). And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself” (The Logos/The Word-John1:1). Ephesians 2:20
Note: the words: “Logos” and “Rhema” are interchangeable throughout the NT and pretty much mean the same thing.
So what is the difference between an Old and New Covenant prophet?
Old Covenant - before the cross
Hebrews 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets...
Exodus 7:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.
Jeremiah 16:5...to heed the words of My servants the prophets whom I sent to you... 20:20(b) Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
New Covenant - after the cross
Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...
1Tim2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus...
1Cor 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others JUDGE.
1Thess5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but TEST them all; hold on to what is good.
Here are some illustrations of prophesy from both the Old and the New Covenants:
1Samuel 19:20-24
John 11:49-51
When we read scriptures such as these, we will recognize that true prophecy comes by the sovereign move of the Holy Spirit and will of the LORD (not from the imaginations of one’s own heart) - and is therefore by no means to be used for one select group of people to take advantage - or to lord it over - everyone else.
So the Old Covenant prophet was the ONLY voice of God; the final authority of God; the ONLY one being face to face with God.
But now, under the New Covenant we can ALL come boldly before the Lord; it is the Father’s desire that we ALL speak with Him face to face.
Therefore let us ALL take comfort from this; Because…was this not the whole meaning of the Cross?…to bring down the barrier between us and God - completely?
So why would we undermine this and blaspheme the Lord by listening to and following those who claim to have a greater or special access to Him…these ones who have set themselves high upon a mountain of media…who call themselves “apostle” and “prophet”..?
God sent His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…who laid down His OWN LIFE…who shed His OWN BLOOD…to bring down this veil! Why would we, the Body of Christ, allow these wolves in sheep’s clothing to erect it again?
Again, let us take comfort, and be encouraged that we can all, with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
But also be warned: the day is coming when every high and lofty mountain that has been - or is being erected in the House of the Lord, will be brought down - along with those who have set themselves on top.
A. h. W.
Proverbs 16:18,
Isaiah 57:15,
Matthew ch. 20:26-28;
ch. 23:2-12
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