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THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY EXPLORED
by Daniel Dela Dunoo The call of a prophet is a unilateral and sovereign decision of Almighty God. This call may take a more dramatic form such as that of Moses (Exodus 4:1 9) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1 13). It may also not be that dramatic as in the case of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16 - 21). Yamoah (2012) in his commentary on Old Testament prophets asserts that "the primary role of the prophets was reformation (not innovative or new teaching)" Prophets also brought words of encouragement to the people in times of suffering. Prophets typically spoke to God on behalf of others (Numbers 14:11 - 25). The prophetic ministry happens to be one of the offices in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11 12). In Ghana, it is not uncommon to hear people point accusing fingers at the abuses prevalent in prophetic circles. They point to instances of failed prophecies and to certain self styled prophets who engage in some abuses such as sleeping with women who come to them for assistance. They point to certain unbiblical practices among some so called prophets and the use of occult powers for the purposes of performing miracles. They proceed on the logic that if indeed all these evidently wrong phenomenon is un-going, it certainly means that all who claim to be prophets in our day are fake and that the prophetic ministry is irrelevant in our day. In as much as the various abuses may have a semblance of truth, proceeding on the above logic is faulty. In the first place it ought to be established that in both the Old and New Testaments, false prophets are mentioned (1 Kings 18:17-40; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 22:28; Mathew 17:15). The fact that there were true prophets never meant that all the prophets were false. Secondly, it is sound logic to assert that the existence of that which is false is proof that indeed that which is true exists. It is my estimation that the fact that there are clearly false prophets in Ghana is formidable proof of the presence of true prophets. It will suffice to add that the negatives notwithstanding, the prophetic ministry as championed by God`s prophets have done the nation much good; many people have been healed, experienced supernatural interventions in their crises moments, received guidance, encouragement, revelations and the ministry of the word. However, the believer ought to take caution, for not all who call themselves prophets are of God. Bonnke (1994) observes that "strong as is the prophetic fashion in the church at present, to build on it without constantly checking by the plum line of the word of God would leave an unstable edifice." Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo (Theologian/Freelance Christian writer) [email protected] I am a writer, editor, blogger & published author. I write from a Judeo-Christian worldview. Email: [email protected]. Blog: http://danieldeladunoo.blogspot.com / http:theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |