Prophecy Accountability Pt 2

Maximilian · #1 09-12-2010, 11:46 PM

Keep track records of prophets?

Men who are introduced with accolades that include "healed thousands of deaf and lame, witnessed people raised from the dead.." These are quite fantastic claims, that though possible by the Spirit, often cause some to yield authority to men who claim these gifts. Should we list the people who were healed for the glory of God? Show their stories? Explain why they qualify as healings?

Also, those who prophesy, should we track their accuracy? Although I speak TIC (because I believe such a system would only yield to cynicism), does anyone ever wonder about that?

If God told a man he'd be wealthy, a church they would "pay off their debt in x amount of years," a woman she'd have a child in the next year, a couple their son would be healed... shouldn't we expect God to be true?

Some more musings about a subject that has been tossed around many times on AFF.

Hoovie · #2 09-13-2010, 05:18 AM

Indeed - this is a good idea. Names and addresses with doctors reports and evidence of treatments received or not received.

A.W. Bowman · #3 09-13-2010, 09:09 AM

Go for it kid!

It is way past time that self-proclaimed spiritual leaders (or those so identified by a group of men who chartered yet another religious association) were held accountable to both the body of Christ and to the Spirit of God - according to biblical standards of 'performance in office'

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Maximilian · #4 09-13-2010, 11:41 AM

HAS, The Prophetic Watchdog Group

Hoovie, it could only be a good thing. Actual, documented miracles would carry more credibility to an increasingly skeptical world. God would get the glory. However, maybe we'd have to define "miracle." A doctor successfully treating a cancer patience who has undergone 6-weeks of Chemotherapy may be an example of God "watching over" and "keeping us," but it doesn't follow the model of Biblical Miracles, which were instantaneous and without ambiguity.

pelathais · #5 09-13-2010, 11:57 AM

That's one of the cardinal sins of Pentecost, I'm afraid. It always has been. You're not supposed to pay attention to what's being said let alone keep track of it.

Just go back to the "prophets" who declared Agnes Ozman "spoke in the Chinese language for over two hours" on New Year's Eve, 1900.

oops.

Sam · #6 09-13-2010, 02:01 PM

19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

In the NLT it says:
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

In the Amplified Bible that is expanded as:
19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

Cindy · #7 09-13-2010, 02:06 PM

Since God is the final authority, I think he knows true prophets and miracles. Are saints to hold each other accountable? And who would be responsible for the accounting? A committee?

rgcraig · #8 09-13-2010, 02:07 PM

The Bible recorded the accounts back then - - so it can't be wrong to record them.

Cindy · #9 09-13-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

The Bible recorded the accounts back then - - so it can't be wrong to record them.

Yes, but you have to trust someone to be accurate. And we all know doctors make mistakes, too. And with some of these guys claiming thousands of miracles, it would be hard to keep track of.

Maximilian · #10 09-13-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

Since God is the final authority, I think he knows true prophets and miracles. Are saints to hold each other accountable? And who would be responsible for the accounting? A committee?

So the question is... do we assume all who claim authority, in fact, have authority to speak for God? All that say "Thus saith the LORD" can't be questioned?

1 Corinthians 14 was written with this in mind. Including the idea that not more than one person should prophesy at a time, and each prophecy should then be tested by two or three elders before being spoken to the congregation.

In the thread Prophetic Accountability (Part 1), there are various scriptures that showed the accountability these prophets in the OT had. Their errant speaking for God earned them a permanent eviction from being able to speak for God in an official role, and in some cases, death.

So the committee would be elders to that congregation.

Of course, there is no spiritual discerning if one claims a miracle. It either is or it isn't. There's not discerning if one foretells an event that never happens. It either is or it isn't.

Let the spiritual judge...