\n<\/b>This is something that can scrape against a lot of denominational doctrines, but it is NOT meant to raise hackles.\u00a0 Just as a definition of terms.
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<\/p>\nOK first of all, I don’t want to bump into people’s egos or preconceptions.
\n<\/b>This is something that can scrape against a lot of denominational doctrines, but it is NOT meant to raise hackles.\u00a0 Just as a definition of terms.
\n<\/p>\n
“Five-Fold Ministry” is a term coined by modern evangelical ministries.<\/strong>\u00a0 It comes from Ephesians 4:11-16 The phrase itself does not occur in the bible, but is a simplification of basic church hierarchy: These two ministries usually follow behind: Which comes to the basic pillars of the church: These five are specifically JOBS<\/strong>, that are LEADERSHIP POSITIONS<\/strong> in the church and are distinct from “spiritual gifts”.\u00a0 For example: a prophet will prophesy, but you may prophesy but not hold the “office” of “prophet”.<\/p>\n All 5 are also analogues of leadership positions in the secular world. I am going to say this:<\/strong> SO: Got the picture?<\/p>\n Christian faith is easy. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of\u00a0heaven\u00a0and earth, and\u00a0of all things visible and invisible.<\/em> By the way, “catholic and apostolic” means “universal and according to the teaching of the original 12 Apostles” in this context. Well, no…just…no. A prophecy is a message given through the Holy Spirit, and it isn’t always good news<\/strong><\/em>. The reason for being gloomy is simple:\u00a0 A prophecy is first and foremost for the edification<\/strong> of the church.\u00a0 Which by definition means the improvement of, or enlightenment of the church.\u00a0 By connotation, and an understanding of human frailty, usually means somewhere, someone has messed up.<\/p>\n It’s still a GOOD THING<\/strong>.\u00a0 Usually, we get caught up in worldly stuff, and don’t always pay attention like we should.\u00a0 Like any good Father, God will correct us using the spiritual gift of “prophecy” from one of the church members.\u00a0 Listen to it and take it to heart even if you think it is wrong.<\/p>\n Also, there is a difference between the words “prophesy” and “prophecy”. OK, you are NOT Moses, so CALM DOWN.<\/strong> That job has already been taken and done exceptionally well for the ONE TIME<\/strong><\/em> it needed to be done. But Moses, even though he was an extreme example of what the office of “prophet” can entail, was in fact a perfect example.<\/p>\n Moses was called out of obscure circumstances and had a rather dubious past.<\/strong>\u00a0 He was rather meek, and not well spoken, but despite this God had him stand up to the most powerful person on the planet and deliver a demand from God.\u00a0 He was an outcast from his own people, they did not even recognize him as one of them at first.\u00a0 He had to lead this stubborn, proud, and rebellious group out of extremely dire circumstances, into the unknown and unfamiliar.\u00a0 He delivered to them a prophecy, a set of basic principles to live by, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament.\u00a0 During the 40 years of his ministry, he was supported by God Himself, with signs, wonders and miracles.\u00a0 He assigned and anointed other leaders and his successor Joshua.<\/p>\n So: Sounds like a grueling thankless job that nobody with any sense would want, that often ends with being sent to jail or killed.\u00a0 Where do I sign up?<\/p>\n Endnote: People are and SHOULD<\/strong> be skeptical of ANYONE<\/strong> who says they are a prophet. What the Five-Fold Ministry is: or “just how do I fit in this mess?” OK first of all, I don’t want to bump into people’s egos or preconceptions. This is something that can scrape against a lot of denominational doctrines, but it is NOT meant to raise hackles.\u00a0 Just as a definition of terms. “Five-Fold … Continue reading Of Prophets, Prophesies, Heresies and what the Five-Fold Ministry is<\/span>
\n” <\/sup>And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers<\/strong>; 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 the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” <\/em><\/p>\n
\nApostles<\/strong><\/em> go out and establish individual churches and ministries, raise up and anoint pastors and teachers, organize everything, then leave to the next place.
\nProphets<\/strong><\/em> are guides, agents of correction, leaders in times of trouble, speakers of God’s voice for warning or comfort or both.\u00a0 They often go from church to church where needed and are not always welcomed.\u00a0 Because if a prophet comes, it usually means some kind of change and upheaval.<\/p>\n
\nEvangelists <\/strong><\/em>who go from place to place preaching the gospel of repentance.\u00a0 They make converts, baptize them, teach them some basics, then move on.\u00a0 It is a ministry that all Christians are called to at some level, but some are called to specialize in it.\u00a0 An example, and highest modern standard would be Billy Graham<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nPastors<\/strong><\/em> who are the shepherds of individual churches and
\nTeachers<\/strong><\/em> who are the ones teaching sound doctrine and the Bible.
\nThese two ministries go hand in hand for a strong well-balanced church.\u00a0 Where apostles, prophets and evangelists come and go, a pastor is there for your lifetime, ideally.\u00a0 He is there for births, deaths, marriages, counseling, exhorting, preaching to and aiding the individuals in his church.\u00a0 The teacher is there in Sunday School, sometimes K-12 school and beyond as well depending on the church, passing on knowledge to children and adults.\u00a0 You may have a teacher teaching your grandchildren who taught you as a child.<\/p>\n
\nAn Apostle is an entrepreneur of churches.
\nA Prophet is an innovator or provocateur.
\nAn Evangelist is a recruiter and a salesman.
\nA Pastor is a shepherd, or a business owner, or a father, or all of them.
\nA Teacher is…well, a teacher, an integrator, or an editor.
\n<\/p>\nHeresy and Consequences:
\nor “can we burn him at the stake…just a little?”<\/h6>\n
\nWhat people call heresy in the Christian church is almost always a doctrinal dispute between denominations.\u00a0 Very seldom is it actual blasphemy disguised as doctrine specifically meant to lead people away from Christ and salvation.\u00a0 \u00a0Real heresy is easily recognized and avoided and goes directly against the Word of God.
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<\/p>\n
\nDunking verses dipping = not heresy.
\n“Gifts of the Holy Spirit”= not heresy.
\nSnake handling in church = dangerous and stupid, but = not heresy.
\nBeing lonely and strange with lots of cats = not heresy.
\n“Jesus was a gay crossdresser” and “Satan is misunderstood” = heresy.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nJust believe God for His Word, and that Jesus died for your sins.
\nThe rest is pretty much the same now, as it was when Jesus was preaching …
\nand was spelled out in Constantinople 381AD:<\/p>\n
\nAnd in one Lord Jesus Christ, the\u00a0only-begotten\u00a0Son of God, begotten of the Father\u00a0before all worlds\u00a0(\u00e6ons), Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;<\/em>
\nby whom all things were made;<\/em>
\nwho for us men, and for our salvation, came down\u00a0from heaven, and was incarnate\u00a0by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;<\/em>
\nhe\u00a0was\u00a0crucified\u00a0for us under\u00a0Pontius Pilate, and\u00a0suffered,\u00a0and was\u00a0buried, and the third day he rose again,\u00a0according to the Scriptures, and\u00a0ascended into heaven,\u00a0and\u00a0sitteth\u00a0on the\u00a0right hand of the Father;<\/em>
\nfrom thence he shall come\u00a0again, with glory, to judge\u00a0the quick and the dead;<\/em>
\nwhose kingdom\u00a0shall have no end.<\/em>
\nAnd in the Holy Ghost,\u00a0the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.<\/em>
\nIn\u00a0one holy catholic and apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; we look for the\u00a0resurrection of the dead, and the life of the\u00a0world to come. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEverything else is poopoo.<\/p>\nJust What is a “Prophecy”?
\nor “can you tell me what my future is?”<\/h6>\n
\n<\/strong>That is not what a Christian prophetic word is for.
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<\/p>\n
\nIt can be an order<\/strong>, direct from God to an individual or church to DO SOMETHING<\/strong><\/em>.
\nIt can be a warning<\/strong> to the church or individual, with a direction and an “or else”.
\nIt can be a choice<\/strong> the individual or church has to make, usually with the consequences of all choices as well as the consequence of NOT<\/strong> making the choice.
\nIt can be a direction<\/strong> for the individual or church to go to stay on the right path.
\nOR it can be an “attaboy” and an exhortation to stay on the path, though unfortunately not very often<\/strong>.
\nWell, that kind of makes it very seldom good news<\/strong><\/em>, doesn’t it?<\/p>\n
\nProphesy<\/strong> is a verb.\u00a0 It is the act of speaking out or writing down the word of God through the Holy Spirit.
\nProphecy<\/strong> is a noun.\u00a0 It is a revelation or prediction that was spoken or written down by a prophet.<\/p>\nSo, what is a Prophet and what does the office entail?
\nor “is that guy a prophet or just some crazy guy in sackcloth?”<\/h6>\n
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<\/p>\n
\nA prophet is usually someone nobody knows<\/strong> at first.
\nHe will be discounted<\/strong> by his own people.
\nHe will be reluctant<\/strong> usually, feel unqualified<\/strong> (rightfully), and forcefully assigned<\/strong> to the job by God.
\nHe will have to stand up to rulers<\/strong> and powerful forces who can imprison him and\/or kill him.
\nHe will often have to lead reluctant and petulant people<\/strong> away from danger to an uncertain future.
\nAs said God will lift him up<\/strong> to the office.\u00a0 You can’t hire a prophet<\/strong> or apply for the job.
\nGod’s power<\/strong> will be manifest around and through him.
\nPart of the office is to raise and anoint leaders<\/strong>, write prophesies<\/strong> and instructions<\/strong>, and stick around long enough to see the task through<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nA real prophet<\/strong> speaks with God’s voice<\/strong>, not his own.\u00a0 Because of this, false prophets go around proclaiming themselves because of the perceived power a REAL<\/strong> prophet has.
\nThis is ultimately a selfish and narcissistic act.
\nYou will know them by their fruits.\u00a0 If the fruit of their actions are selfish and narcissistic<\/strong>, and\/or their prophesies and instructions are ungodly and turn people from Christ<\/strong>, then they are not a prophet of God.
\nThis is why most Godly men who are called to the job, are people who don’t really want it, and feel rightly that it is way above their level.\u00a0 Because it generally is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"