Called to Prophesy

January 31, 2021 Background Scripture: Luke 2:36 – 38; Acts 1:12 – 14; 2:16 – 21; 21:8 – 9 Lesson Passage: Luke 2:36 – 38; Acts 2:16 – 21; 21:8 – 9 There are times when we should distinguish between prophesying and proclaiming. When the scriptures speak of prophets and prophetesses, they are typically presented as those who spoke revelations from God. Proclaimers are often depicted as those who speak what God has already spoken—especially through the prophets. It is worth noting that the Background Scripture present prophets and prophetesses—i.e., men and women who were called to speak words of revelation from God. Those who are called to prophesy can only do so by accurately discerning the voice of God. Prophecy often carries a dual meaning. It carries a message for the original recipients that was clearly understood, and it made sense to them. The message applied to their time and circumstances. The prophetic word also carried a timeless message that would speak truth to generations to come beyond the original recipients. The circumstances of the original recipients bear no effect on the meaning of the message for future recipients. Those who are called to prophesy cannot get bogged down by either message. They speak the word of God as He gives it to them. The recipients are to take heed to what is spoken. Whether one received the message directly from a prophet or prophetess, or whether one heard the message later, the word of God is timeless and speaks to the hearer. Any calling of God on a person’s life is extremely significant. The call to prophesy carries an extra burden. There is no room for error. One must clearly hear the voice of God, and one must clearly speak in the hearing of others what was heard. This must be done without adding or subtracting anything from the message. Like a mailman, it is not necessary to know what is in the envelope to deliver it. Nor is it necessary to know who inside the residence is the intended recipient. Once the message is delivered, the assignment has been completed in many cases. However, in some cases, the prophets were asked to demonstrate or live out the message as well as proclaim it. This is another reason one should not take it upon themselves to step into the prophetic office without God inviting you in. There is another point to be made from the Background Scripture. God calls whomever He wants to call. On the day of Pentecost, Peter reminded the crowd about the prophecy spoken by Joel. God promised to: “pour out of His Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” This should answer the gender question that some have wrestled with over the years. People don’t call people to preach; and neither do people get the privilege of approving or disapproving of someone’s preaching. God anoints and God appoints whomever He chooses. We should exercise caution whenever someone purports to declare the word of God. If we reject the messenger, we will in essence reject the message as well. On the other hand, we are admonished to try the spirits to be sure they are of God. I don’t know if there is any true revelation knowledge being spoken today. What is heard may be a revelation to the hearer, but it may already be recorded and spoken of in the bible. Today, God chooses to speak to the world through those He has anointed to be His mouthpiece. They are called to prophesy Robert C. Hudson December 7, 2020

Called for the World’s Belief

January 24, 2021 Background Scripture: John 17:14 – 24 Lesson Passage: John 17:14 – 24 Today’s scripture is an excerpt from a prayer of Jesus. This prayer is often referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly prayer. Chapter 17 is dedicated solely to this prayer. In it, Jesus prayed for himself, his disciples, and for all believers. That last part is important for Christians today. Jesus petitioned God for everyone who believed in him as a result of the witness of his disciples. A Christian never needs to worry whether Jesus prays for them or if he has ever prayed for them. Here in John 17, they can read the words Jesus spoke in praying to God on behalf of Christians today. Jesus’ prayer reiterated much of what he taught during his earthly ministry. Jesus’ ministry was intended to affect mankind positively throughout history until the end of time. Jesus did not come to earth to call eleven faithful disciples and win a few converts to eternal salvation. Jesus’ ministry was the beginning of a movement of reconciliation. Jesus came that mankind would have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. We are challenged in trying to accept that the gift of salvation is only an offer until one accepts it. For a person to be created in the image of likeness of God, there is the need for that person to be a free moral agent. Simply put, a human needs the power of choice if they are to reflect God’s image and likeness. The gift of salvation does not take that away from people. Lower animals are driven by instinct not individual will. A cat is a cat, and a dog is a dog, but they can be trained to behave otherwise. A cat or dog does not wake up one day and decide to behave differently. They have no will and therefore they are not free moral agents. Human beings can continuously remake themselves into whatever their minds can conceive. However, this is restricted to earthly life and living. Sin created a chasm between mankind and God. It is impossible for mankind to cross the gap that separates us from God. Therefore, God, in Christ, crossed the gap to reach mankind and built a bridge to Himself. This bridge is only accessible through faith, or belief, in the offer of salvation that is extended by Jesus. That’s why eternal salvation in the presence of God is only achieved through the individual’s personal belief in the saving power of Jesus Christ. To be saved any other way reduces humanity to the same level as cats and dogs. God, in what appeared to be spiritual frustration, declared to Moses: “But truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” This would be a fulfillment of God’s intention in creating mankind: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion … over all the earth”. Mankind was created to be a physical reflection of God in the physical world God created. When God looks upon His physical creation, He intends to see a physical reflection of Himself in mankind. Sin corrupts and distorts the image of God in mankind. Therefore, when God looks upon His creation, He does not see a physical reflection of His glory. Jesus came to restore holiness in mankind so we can properly reflect God’s glory. All that does not reflect the glory of God will be destroyed at the end of time. Our personal belief in Jesus, that resulted from the witness of his disciples, allows us to become part of the reflection of God’s glory. Jesus was called to come into the world to establish and put in motion the movement to extend eternal salvation to mankind. The world can receive eternal salvation when the world believes the witness of Jesus’ disciples. Robert C. Hudson December 7, 2020