Prophets within the Christian Congregation

After the exodus from Egypt, Moses was feeling the heavy burden of having to lead an entire nation of people by himself. Jehovah God instructed Moses to select seventy older men to help him shoulder the load. The seventy were brought before the tent of meeting where God’s spirit came down upon them and “they proceeded to act as prophets”, but this ecstatic prophesying was just a one time event to affirm that God had indeed anointed them and his spirit was upon them. The account states, “they did not do it again.” (Numbers 11:24,25)

However there were two men, Eldad and Medad, who were numbered among the seventy that had not gone to the tent but had stayed in the camp. God’s spirit came to rest upon them as well and they proceeded to act as prophets within the camp. This caused quite a stir because it was viewed as a possible affront to Moses’ leadership. Certain young men ran to report to Moses how Eldad and Medad were acting as prophets. Joshua urged Moses to restrain them.

Moses’ response shows the depth of his humility. He asks Joshua, “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

Throughout the Old Testament prophets are found. In many accounts they appear in groups or are collectively spoken of as “the prophets”. (1 Sam 10:5; 2 Kings 4:38) Certain prophets who Jehovah’s spirit was upon in extraordinary ways are specifically mentioned and distinguished from the general company of the prophet such as Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and his companion Elisha. Later prophets wrote their messages directly down such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Often times when we hear prophecy or prophet we have the tendency to think of a prediction about a future event. However in the Bible prophecy was more general in that it encompassed whenever God spoke to a human whether about a contemporary or future event. God used these prophets in various ways for the benefit of the nation.

The prophets therefore were the voice to God among the people. Sometimes their word was sought when the nation was facing a decision and they needed God’s say on the matter. (1 Kings 22:5,6) At other times they were used to deliver reproof when the nation or a leader was in error. (2 Samuel 12:1-12) On occasion they gave foreknowledge of future events such as the coming of the Messiah.

The prophets were instrumental in the compiling and writing of the Holy Scriptures. Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, and Nathan composed historical books. Many of David’s psalms speak prophetically about the coming Messiah. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others wrote their prophetic messages down in the books that today bear their name. In a general sense all who penned down the Scriptures can be spoken of as prophets since all the entire Holy Word was formed under Divine inspiration. (2 Timothy 3:16)


With the advent of the Christian congregation in 33 CE, Moses’ desire that Jehovah’s Holy Spirit touch all of God’s people was realised. Holy spirit was poured out upon a group of congregated believers in a wonderful way. This was in fulfillment of another prophecy spoken by Joel where God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28)

Unlike the former days where the prophets were limited to a group or individuals within the nation, the entire Christian congregation was spirit anointed and able to prophecy, to receive and speak the word of God. Even the young women were gifted in this regard as was true with Philip’s four daughters. (Acts 21:9) Paul also acknowledged the role that women played in prophesying in the congregation of Christ. (1 Cor 11:5)

While the Holy Spirit imparted gifts to all believers not all had the same gift and not all acted as prophets. (1 Cor 12:29). Yet the gift of prophecy was not off limit to the entire congregation for Paul encouraged them to “keep zealously seeking the greater gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). In seeking these greater gifts Paul preferred that all in the congregation would be able to prophecy because of the upbuilding effect that it had on the assembled body. (1 Cor 14:1,4)

How were the Christian congregations to view those who prophesied? Paul instructed the congregation of the Thessalonians to, “not treat prophesying with contempt” (1 Thess 4:20). Prophets were to be listened to attentively so that those assembled could “discern the meaning” of what they spoke (1 Cor 14:29) Prophecy encouraged the congregation; therefore, those who were gifted with prophecy needed to use that gift to for the benefit of the body of Christ. (1 Cor 14:31; Romans 12:4-6)

While prophesying is not to be held in contempt the congregation needed to exercise caution because Jesus said, “that many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” (Matthew 24:11) The apostle John confirmed that this becoming true within the Christian congregation. He wrote, “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

The congregation then is implored to not accept every prophecy but to test them to see if it is indeed a word from God. In a vision, Jesus commended the congregation of Ephesus for putting to test those who made claim to be apostles. (Rev 2:2) Similar judgment needed to be used in evaluating prophetic utterances. The discernment of spirits then is a necessary and beneficial gift to the congregation. (1 Cor 12:10)

As with many aspects of the Christian life, prophecy then is a gift that is to be exercised within the context of the Christian congregation. While some may wish to pattern themselves after the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel to do so is to ignore the fact that God’s spirit now operates corporately within a body of believers. Those with gifts such as prophecy are not meant to dominate over other Christians. Paul instructs them to yield and keep silent if a revelation is given to another during their prophesying. (1 Cor 14:30) The hearers of such an inspired expression are meant to evaluate it and test it out. (1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1)

We need to keep in mind that even those with a powerful gift of prophecy are nothing if they do not manifest love. (1 Cor 13:2) Having love causes us to know that our various gifts are provided for the “building up of the body of Christ”. (Ephesians 4:11,12) Love would prevent someone with a spiritual gifting not fall into the trap of becoming puffed up or self-centered in their attitude. (1 Cor 13:4,5)

Choose the Good Portion

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:28-32

I was meditating on this passage the other day and I got a new perspective. In the past I had just considered the obvious physical application. For instance we shouldn't allow the various things in life, such as household responsibilities, jobs, etertainment distraction from spiritual pursuits. Yesterday, though, I was thinking about how even in spiritual pursuits we can neglect the best part, or the good portion - Jesus Christ.

I was thinking about Martha. Certainly she felt she was keeping Jesus in mind as she hurried about the kitchen fixing food for him. I'm sure the meal that she was preparing to feed him would have been fabulous and praise worthy. However such a thing had to be secondary to focusing directly on Jesus and listening to the Great Teacher.

It could happen easily to us. We may do a bunch of charitable works in the name of the Lord but in the process lose focus on Jesus himself. Or purely in terms of learning we can get distracted with doctrine, theology, history, or eschatology. These things may be done with Jesus in mind but in chasing after them we always run the risk of gradually losing sight of our teacher.

I think about what a powerful apostle Paul was. Being a disciple of the esteemed teacher Gamaliel he had a great background education. Being filled with holy spirit he was given extensive wisdom and revelation. These qualities are certainly reflected in his letters but the primary thing that stands out is his near constant focus on Jesus. I'm mindful of what he told the Corinthian congregation, "And so I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him impaled." - 1 Cor 2:1,2

In my personal study I'm often left wishing Paul had went into more details on such subjects as the "man of lawlessness", "the resurrection of the dead", and "third heaven". However, I'm beginning to appreciate his brief treatment of these intriguing subjects is intentional. As he told them Corinthians he decided, or made the conscious decision just to proclaim Jesus Christ.

Later on in that letter to the Corinthians Paul puts it all into perspective:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding [piece of] brass or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all. - 1 Cor 13:1-3

Paul here highlights a danger. We can focus on pursuing spiritual gifts, discerning divine mysteries, gaining knowledge or being charitable at the expense of losing out on love. And we don't have love we don't know our Heavenly Father or Jesus. (1 John 4:8; John 13:35)

Frank Viola in his article The Deep Ecclesiology makes this personal observation regarding how by persuing things such a doctrinal correctness that we can lose sight of love. He writes:

"But during that season, I made another discovery. Namely, that Christian doctrine can make a person downright mean! I observed that the men who were the most schooled in Christian doctrine and the most concerned about “sound theology” did not resemble Jesus Christ at all in their behavior. Instead, they seemed to center their lives on making the unimportant critical. The spirit of the Lamb was altogether missing. They were harsh personalities who appeared to almost hate those with whom they disagreed. Granted, there is a doctrine in the New Testament. But majoring on Christian doctrine and theology can turn Christians into inquisitors."

The Corinthians congregation that Paul wrote to was racked with division. (1 Cor 1:11) Since this is the first thing he mentions in his letter we may conclude that was the primary purpose for his writing to them on that occassion. One specific divisive area that is mentioned is how different ones were developing camps around certain spiritual teachers. (1 Cor 1:12) However that wasn't the only problem dividing this congregation. Reading through the letter we see that there were may other divisive areas:

• Some were "going beyond the things written." 4:6
• Some were showing favoritism. 4:6
• Some were prideful. 4:18
• They were tolerating gross immorality. 5:1
• Some were taking their brother to court. 6:7
• There was conflict over the eating foods sacrificed to idols. chap. 8
• They were observing the Lord's Supper without consideration of others and with excess. chap. 11
• They weren't giving consideration to all members of the body of Christ. 12:14-18
• Their meetings were a free-for-all as the members were unyielding to one another. 14:26-33

Paul provides the appropriate remedy to this divisive situation. He says that they should be "united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Cor 1:10) What mind is this? It is the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16) Our unity is in Jesus Christ and in order to have unity all must have the "mind of Christ" and focus on him.

Maybe like Martha we have our hands full with many things, physically or spiritually. If so perhaps we just need to set it aside for a season and like Mary position ourselves at the feet of Jesus, the good portion, focusing just on him.

Of Note

My sister passed this on to me this morning and I'm passing it on to you.

Tonight @ 7:00pm eastern, CNN is airing a special program called After Jesus. It promotes itself as a look at the first Christians and the history of the Church. Church history fascinates me so I'll take a look.

Also ...

Kristin Hersh does guest blog entries at Powells from time to time. I just had a chance to take a look at her December 15th entry Vodka and Chocolate. It was very touching piece about loss and love. Kristin humbly denies that she is a writer but these entries reveal such a talent. Would it be wrong to suggest she put down her guitar for a spell and pick up a pen? These days I find her writings to be more compelling than her music. Though I certainly won't hesitate to pick up her new album Learn to Sing Like a Star when it comes out in January.

Killing In The Name Of ...

The only thing worse than killing people in a video-game is doing so in the name of Jesus.

The new "Left Behind" video-game is seriously in error.

What would Jesus say to the "Tribulation Force"?

Maybe something like this:

“Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Give Me Jesus

I'm tired. Prayers have been said and my child is tucked into bed. I was on my way but then remembered that I was going to write a blog entry tonight.

I spent tonight writing. I've been working on a book. I have it all outlined and it just seems like it should be simply fill-in-the-blanks but more often than not I find myself studying for hours just to crank out a sentence. Tonight I was really productive and put down a couple of paragraphs.

What I really wanted to share though was an article written by Frank Viola,The Deep Ecclesiology of the Body

This is is one of those articles that I find myself shaking my head in agreement with quite a bit. I enjoyed reading about his perspective have changed throughout his religious experiences. He warns:

"Attention young Christians: You can get ridiculously obsessed with rapture fever! I was taught, “This is important. We have to know prophecy. We must study prophecy. 90% of the Bible is prophecy. We have a duty to understand it.” Let me confess. I was pathetically into eschatology. So much so that I could discuss it for hours with wild-eyed fascination."

"But I made a discovery. That all of those hours I spent pouring over Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation . . . trying to put the end-time puzzle together . . . did not help me one iota to come to know my Lord better. It was largely an academic, intellectual exercise. And a sterile one at that!"

Frank admits that he stopped studying end-times prophecy. I'm not quite ready to give it up but I do know where he is coming from. Every Sunday afternoon I get together online with friends and we churn through this stuff. And in my personal studying for a long time I was constantly going through Revelation and Daniel. I've learned a lot and there have been some specific instances where God has given me direct insight into certain things so it hasn't been a completely fruitless endeavor. However my experience is that too often we can so bogged down in the details and questions that we can't see the forest for the trees. The forest is Jesus. Revelation 19:10 says that "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"

Frank's journey seems to have lead him though to the same place I've found myself - Jesus.

"I made the striking discovery that I don’t need an it. I have never needed an it. And I will never need an it. Christian it’s . . . no matter how good or true . . . eventually wear out, run dry, and become tiresome.

I don’t need an it . . . I need a Him!

And so do you!

We do not need things. We need Jesus Christ!"

When I was in a religion I was taught that the theme of the Bible "The vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty by means of the Messianic Kingdom." It may be true - and it's truly a mouthful. I wonder why can't the theme just be "Jesus"?

Jesus was absolutely central to the early Church. The saddest thing in religions in how Jesus is minimized, just given lip service, and pushed to the side. We have spiritual ADD and can't focus on the most important element to our faith - Jesus.

We were talking to some friends recently from the same religious background as us. They were talking about their experience with one of the local mega-churches. They remarked how it had a club for everything, like "kayaking for the Lord". I've got no problem with kayaking but I just wonder about the ratio between kayaking and Jesus that the group provides.

One of the most common charges leveled at Jehovah's Witnesses is "You don't believe in Jesus". Ask a JW if this is true and they will scoff and say, "Of course we believe in Jesus." I know I used to. Afterall our religious literature had numerous references to Jesus.

But one of things I'm seeing is that while we did speak about Jesus he kind of got hidden in the mixed. It is almost like there was a fear of giving too much attention to Jesus. The general focus was on the organization, organization, organization. We focused on the body so much that we practically beheaded the Christ. What is worse is that we supplanted the leadership of Christ with some Frankenstein head construct called "the Faithful and Discreet Slave".

Christianity without Christ is a very empty faith indeed. What's the point?

You can keep your religion just give me Jesus.

Good night Friends.

Crash

This morning I was involved in a crash on the Interstate. Wrecks are scary enough but are frightening at 65 mph. I was in morning rush hour traffic which had come to a slowdown. The guy coming up behind me didn't stop in time and plowed into me causing my car to bump the guy ahead of me.

I pray every morning for protection because some days those angels really come in handy.

Wii

Rebekah and I celebrate our 10-year anniversary today!! That's a decade!! It's been a good run that's for certain. We don't really exchange gifts but we splurged on a Wii a couple of weeks ago so we have been having fun with it. Tomorrow we will get to enjoy a nice night out. I'm taking Rebekah to her favorite restaurant then we'll probably go see a movie that we'll end up leaving half-way through.

If anybody has a Wii and wants to add us our console code is: 6164 4778 8914 2690. Reply with yours.

And when we aren't getting sore muscles playing with the Wii I got a bunch of new books that have kept me busy:

The Apostolic Bible Polygot - The printed version of a new Greek/English interlinear translation of the Septuagint and the Christian scriptures that has been available online. The publication quality is kind of flimsy but the content is wonderful. I've been having fun cross-referencing using the built in Strong's number concordance. This will probably become my primary study Bible.

A Short History of the Early Church - Harry R. Boer

Saint Saul; A Skeleton Key to the Historical Jesus - Donald H. Akenson

The Twelve; The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary - C. Bernard Ruffin

Life Everlasting - in Freedom of the Sons of God, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.

Rethinking the Wineskin - Frank Viola

I love books. I don't celebrate Christmas but I gleefully accept books all year round. Check out my wish-list! But if you think I should read something that is not on the list I'll take it too! *nudge *nudge *wink *wink

'Tis a silly blog posting - I know.

Love,

Anthony "Anathema" Mathenia