Alan Finch

I would like to share my article "New Testament Prophets" with those who are interested, which is contained in the attachment.

Thanks!

Attached file:
(Download)

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

You may find you get more responses to your posts if you did not add your primary bulk of comments in an attachment. Many on OPP do not bother with even links to references.... If I were you, I would copy and paste the document into your topic. If you need any help, just let me know. Or you can ignore me, which is okay to.

Alan Finch

Thank you penny for your suggestion. There are a couple of reasons why that I post my articles in an attachment. Some of my articles are fairly lengthy. Also, I have literally spent hundreds of hours of going over and over my articles to make them as desirable reading as possible to the eyes, and to make a number of very important points in the articles stand out as much as possible. This is the reason why that I leave them in the original Word document form, and put them in the attachments.

If a reader is not interested enough to open up the attachment which contains the article and read it, then I seriously doubt if the article would have much of an impact upon them anyway. In fact, recently, the Lord has been speaking to my heart, that I am not to concern myself with how many people approve of my articles, but that the articles are for those who have hearing ears. Even if the articles only minister to 1 out of a 1,000, the Lord is only concerned with me being obedient to the writing ministry that He has assigned me to.

Yesterday, an individual responded to my articles "The Bible is for all "Eternity" & the article "Deceiving Spirits know the Bible." The individual explained to me that they had been neglecting reading the Bible lately. The individual said that the articles has inspired and motivated them to get back to reading the Bible faithfully. That was a blessing to me for that person to share that with me. Even though those articles may have only had an impact upon 1 individual, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED."

Once again, thank you penny for trying to help me, in case I needed it.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

It was just a recommendation.... do whatever pleases you.

mcmlx

I'm sure that I would enjoy reading your material.
Cut to the chase.
JESUS was born and lived on earth.
JESUS allowed himself to be the perfect sacrifice, atonement for all who believe.
JESUS taught the kingdom of GOD as he walked this earth.
The HOLY SPIRIT is our helper. He gives us the knowledge to discern the Scriptures for ourselves.
Nothing but the blood of JESUS washed my sins away.
I haven't read your articles because I don't have a computer. I'm grateful for my phone with Internet access. I'm not able download anything.

.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Please allow me to help you out... you are not the only person using an IPad or Phone to interact on OPP... Here is the article originally posted by our new member, Mr Finch:

New Testament “Prophets”
I did a survey in which I sent out e-mails to approximately 300 websites that are either Prophetic Ministries or have written articles on the Prophetic. It was a rather exhausting survey. I emailed the question “I would like to ask the question about what do you feel is the one thing that a New Testament “Prophet” absolutely must possess?” I am convinced that the “gift of the Prophet” to the Church is without question the most misunderstood of all the gifts which Christ has given to the Church.

Out of the approximately 300 websites that I contacted, approximately 140 sent me back a reply to my question. I do want to make it clear, that I really appreciate the sites that sent me back a reply. It is not my intention to belittle anyone. However, I do have a strong desire to share a couple of points that I hope will bring a little more clarity to the Gift of the New Testament “Prophet” to the Church.

I received back many different answers. There were a number of answers that I received back, that for me were somewhat puzzling. I will not address the answers that were somewhat puzzling for me. I will just address the rest of the answers that were a fairly common response to the question.

The answers that I will address are as follows: Love – Humility – Character - Integrity – Honesty – Contriteness – Obedience – Strong prayer life. Even though these are all wonderful traits for a “Prophet” to possess (as well as for all Christians to possess), they are not a must for the “Prophet.” The reason being, that the Lord does not just instantly zap a “Prophet” with these traits. These are traits that are hopefully developed in the “Prophet” (as well as all Christians), but will be a “lifetime” developing work of the Holy Spirit.
I would like to share that I am convinced that the one thing (and often overlooked thing) that a New Testament “Prophet” ABSOLUTELY MUST POSSESS is a “strong desire” to “IMMERSE HIMSELF” into GOD’S WRITTEN WORD. Of course that is very important for each and every Christian, but it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for the New Testament “Prophet.”
In fact, the Lord demands that of a New Testament “Prophet.” THE REASON BEING: “IT IS CRITICAL” for a “Prophet” to have Spiritual Discernment.”

It is through a “constant searching for truth” in God’s Written Word that a Christian learns about the Lord and “His” ways. This is by far the “greatest means” that the Holy Spirit uses to develop Spiritual Discernment into a Christian’s life. Even though prayer is certainly important, prayer will not accomplish what God’s Written Word accomplishes in developing Spiritual Discernment in the “Prophet’s” life as well as in each and every Christian’s life.

There are hundreds of websites that speak about the “Prophetic Gifting” of the New Testament “Prophet,” and yet, I have found that little emphasis if any at all, is being given to the importance of the “Prophet” “IMMERSING HIMSELF” into God’s Written Word, which is the Lord’s “FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT STEP” in “His” training of the New Testament “Prophet.”
In fact, I would challenge anyone to go to their computer and then go to their search engine and key in the wording: A New Testament “Prophet” must be filled with the Written Word of God, or key in some wording that is similar. Good luck with your search.

I personally find it “quite disturbing” that “such little emphasis” is being put on such a “VITAL” resource that the Lord uses in “His” development of a New Testament “Prophet.”
Out of all the answers that I received back, only 3 individuals sent me back an answer that I felt were insightful answers (according to my understanding) to the question. This clearly demonstrates the major problem that we have today with understanding the role of the New Testament “Prophet.”

Let me just say, that it is the Lord who chooses the “Prophet.” Therefore, the Lord is quite capable of training “His” “Prophets” “Himself.” The Lord has a training program for “His” “Prophets” that is “far superior” to man’s training programs in every aspect!

There was a Pastor who sent me back this reply: “Good question, but I’m not qualified to answer.” My understanding from his answer was that he felt that because he is not a “Prophet,” that he is not qualified to answer that question.

To add to all the confusion concerning the widespread lack of understanding of the Gift of the New Testament “Prophet” to the Church, is the fact that there are many “False Prophets” and there are those who have the Gift of Prophecy who think that they are “Prophets.”
A lady named Kim, sent me back this reply: “I think the one thing that a New Testament Prophet must absolutely possess is to really know the Lord, i.e. His character, ways, purposes and desires through spending time reading, studying and meditating on the Word......it is extremely difficult to speak on behalf of someone you don’t know anything about or know nothing about.

I also believe “knowledge of the Word is key,” because all “Prophecies” should be passed through the grid of the Word to determine whether their course is indeed from God and not another source, because God will never declare anything that is in violation of His Word.”

The thing that really stood out to me about Kim’s reply, was her statement that a New Testament “Prophet” absolutely must know the Lord, which comes from spending time “reading,” “studying” & “meditating” on the Word. Kim and I are in complete agreement on this issue. The Lord has provided us with the Bible so that we can learn about “Him” and “His” ways. This is the way that Spiritual Discernment is developed in the New Testament “Prophet” (as well as all Christians), which is a “must” for the “Prophet.”

Alan Finch

Thank you Penny for your help. It is appreciated.

Blessings!

mcmlx

I sure do appreciate the time and energy that you spent, Pennylynn.
The church is the body of CHRIST. Some are hands and some are feet. Only spending time in the WORD will show us what GOD has planned for us individually.
Thank you.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

No problem... if you find others that you would like to read... let me know, I will be very happy to copy them down for you!

mcmlx

Sure will. Appreciate ya!