Four Epistles and How to Teach the Bible by David Bergsland

Author:David Bergsland [Bergsland, David]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Radiqx Press
Published: 2015-04-16T04:00:00+00:00

The old testament standard is 100% accuracy. If they are ever wrong, they are not a true prophet. They need to be stoned.

Prophets are very different in the church than they were when they were the only access the people of God had to the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Lord.

But accuracy is still very important. If a prophet’s words do not prove to be true—obviously and openly— then there is a problem.

Discernment

Paul tells us in I Corinthians 14 that the elders are to discern all prophecies. It is one of the gifts listed in I Corinthians 12. Leaders need to lead. It must be part of your liturgy. If you allow prophecy [and you should be doing that] then you need to provide discernment.

The liturgical act of seeking the gift of immediate discernment solves the problem of false prophets and fleshly prophets completely.

Remember the words of Hebrews 13: 8

Jesus our Messiah is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

The problem, of course, is that these heretical groups still proclaim themselves to be Christian. The practical result of this is that having a newcomer to your group tell you that he or she is a Christian is largely meaningless in the 21st century. When a stranger comes to your church you have no way of knowing what they really believe or how well they know the Lord. It takes time and prayerful discernment.

Jesus tells us to be fruit inspectors. He gives us a strong warning—one that has become more relevant today.

Beware of false prophets who come dressed as sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A healthy tree produces good fruit, and a sick tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. You will know them by their fruit. [Matthew 7:15–20]

So, the obvious question to be asked is, “What is fruit?” Thankfully we have a clear answer from Paul in his letter to the Galatians, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”. This kind of character can be faked—for a short while, So, it will take a little time to inspect the fruit.

The interesting turn of phrase is “chopped down and thrown in the fire”. This seems to be a clear reference to these wolves not being saved—not citizens of the Kingdom. Yet, they come appearing to be sheep to attack the sheep from within the flock. This is an entire area that the modern church does not discuss at all.

True Disciples

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.

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