Still Relevant?
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. James 5:17
Are Prophets still relevant today?
Some people say that prophets are no longer needed because we have the complete word of God. Others tell you there may be some, but only a few – and oh yea – you certainly aren’t one.
The bottom line – it doesn’t matter what we think. What does the scripture teach?
Well, first, the scripture teaches that a prophet has no higher (or lower) “ranking” than a pastor or teacher or evangelist.
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
1 Cor 12:28 (NIV)
So we now know that GOD has appointed apostles. prophets, teachers, etc in the church (the Body of Christ). God teaches us here that He himself has decided that the church needs prophets just as they need apostles and teachers. If we still need teachers, then we still need prophets.
That settled, then what about the argument that there are only a few?
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
1 Cor 12:29 (NIV)
Using this scripture, one could say there are only a few prophets – but why then does God lump the number of prophets with the number of teachers? The answer is easy… God is not talking about the quantity, but rather about the fact that He calls some people to on “office”, and other people to other “offices”. Not everyone is supposed to be a teacher. Nor is everyone supposed to be a pastor or teacher.
Ok – now tht we have that all wrapped up, how do we know then that any of the offices are still relevant? I mean maybe – just maybe – we no longer need pastors, apostles or teachers….
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Eph 4:11-13 (NIV)
This scripture wraps it all up and makes it irrefutable… God determines who is what, and He has determined that these “offices” will remain until at least “we all reach unity in the faith” and even then He ads to more “ANDS” to how long these folks will be with us….
Bottom line – yes, prophets are alive and kicking even today. Relevant and timely – if we needed to hear from God in 100AD, how much more do we need to har from Him today?
How many folks are crying out today for a true living Word from God? A word that will give them release from the bondage of the world and freedom from oppression? If anything – God needs more true prophets.