Biblical Keys for Discerning True and False Prophets/Tests/Unity of faith

[Nice Lady]

Disheartening is one my favorite words. One of the things that could be called disheartening, impediment or an embarassment to the Body of Christ is: Apostles and prophets till in “a unity of the faith.”


Of True

Ephesians 4:11-14
And he gave some apostles; and some prophets: and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in a unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine. And by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Of False

Matthew 12:30
He that is not with me is against me; he that gathered not with me, scattereth abroad.
(Also Ezekial 34

Compare Mark 9:38-41
But Jesus said, forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

Note: The difference in the passages has to do with context. The Matthew text describes formal “gathering” by chosen disciples, called to preach and baptize. The Mark text describes how those disciples should accept the performance good works by anyone, even one not called and ordained as part of the formal gathering.

 

[blazingthru]

miracles are not proof that someone is a true prophet. They prove only one thing--supernatural power. But supernatural power may come either from God or from Satan. That is why the Lord tells us: "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV 1900)
20 To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them.The "law and the testimony" was an Old Testament expression for "Bible."


In other words, a message from someone who claims to have a prophetic utterance from God must be compared with the Bible. We must test the prophet by the Bible, and not the Bible by the prophet. Any true prophet of God will always agree 100 percent with Scripture. This is the true test.

1 John 4:2 (KJV)
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: