I got this question as a response to another blog:
Do we need modern day prophets?
Mormonism teaches that it is important that they receive continuing revelations from God. In support of this they quote Amos 3:7 that they say proves we need a living prophet today. It says that God will not do anything except through His prophets. Actually, that is true if we remember that this comes from the Old Testament, before the time of Christ. Therefore, we have to go to the New Testament to see what the New Covenant has to say. Hebrews 1:1-2 says that God used to speak through His prophets, but today he speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ. Luke 16:16 says that prophets were until John the Baptist because after him came the Son, Jesus Christ. The result is that we no longer need prophets because we now have Christ. Mormons might say that the New Testament speaks of prophets. That's true, except we have to look at the difference between Hebrew and Greek. The word prophet in Hebrew means one who brings us God's word. In Greek it means one who preaches God's word. That's a big difference.
Len gave a beautiful reply to the question in the message thread HERE. Please click the link.
I just wanted to add a couple of things that build upon what was already said.
Provided that anyone that we might esteem as someone with discernment recognize a prophet, or perhaps everyone we esteem is of the same persuasion, never allow yourself to be swept up in the mob to go along with the crowd. Do not agree with the validation of the prophet simply because it is popular. Chances are that the crowd (in general) has made a poor judgment, and those that we might greatly esteem should never be able to trump our own inner convictions and witness of the Spirit. Likewise, and probably just as important, if those we greatly esteem dismiss someone as a false-prophet, or perhaps everyone we look up to has done likewise, never allow these others to make your decision for you. To go against the grain is never easy, though few understand that for few have done it. Try it and watch how every possible manipulation is mustered to anyone that steps out of line. It is well established by those that study group psychology that a mob will act in concert with a primary devotion to emotion and almost entirely blind to sound reason.
This is why Mormons are blind and deaf and go along with what they're told, and why the general public (who may disagree with the Mormons) tend to do the same without giving sound reasons.
The fact remains that the Mormon prophets are false and provably so. In fact, the evidence is easy to acquire and present, but few do it because those that are for the Mormon prophets and those that are against the Mormon prophets are generally both acting in mob-mentality and nothing really gets discussed, at least nothing substantial that would bear on the impossibility that the Mormon prophets were sent by God
You, my friends, are the salt of the earth ... You have impact, and make a difference in ways that influence the world around you to "taste better" and to "preserve decay." That is what salt does. It is NICE when salt does that ... but salt in a shaker does nothing until it leaves the group and goes out into the world.
"Well that just sounds like you are trying to divide and conquer," you might be thinking, "why would you try to get me to abandon this group that has given me all my thoughts and feelings about everything and leave to develop my own?"
Well, listen ... I am not trying to split you from your beloved and those with which you fellowship because you are like-minded and enjoy enhancing your viewpoint by discussing with them ... I am simply encouraging you that if you develop these things within you on a personal / spiritual level, you will be a better contributor to the world around you and that includes your own sweet fellowships, but also your family, and even strangers. Don't be satisfied drinking from someone-else's bucket when you can drink of the Lord and become a spring of living water. It is time for many of us to quit drawing from the establishment like babies on the breast, and develop and appetite for the deep things of God, thinking deeply and pondering things until by prayer and personal study we understand something that seemed so far away.
We never come to personal revelation except with joy and wonder. We never see a frown on the face of those that sought and sought and were granted understanding.
Lets not become salt that grows stale. For such isn't even fit to spread on manure.
On another note, this questioner should be congratulated, even if you don't agree with them. In my world, I seldom see anyone bring a thought about things on the level that this person put into the question. There are references to Amos, showing that they understand a bit about the mindset of one of their doctrinal opponents and why they think that way. That is an important way to make an impact. And if I were a Mormon, or based my decisions on that Amos verse, it would have made an impact on me. Bravo!
Also, note the use of ancient words and meanings by the questioner to present their point. Often it helps to know what things mean in Greek and Hebrew, especially in tricky verses. I'm really not buying this argument in particular, because of the use of the Greek "προφήτης" (pro-fā'-tās) is so often used in the New Testament to refer to the Old Testament prophets. Nevertheless, it is always nice when we can delve into the word meanings and pass on our knowledge about that which we have discovered.
Lastly, I'm going to take a quick shot at the question at hand and found as the title of this blog: "Do we need modern day prophets?"
Answer: If none are sent, then "no." But, provided that God sends a prophet or two or 144,000, then "yes, we need them." I would let the absence or presence of those gifted with prophesy speak for itself.
In my opinion, it is nice when God gives gifts to the elect for the building up of His body. I, for one, appreciate it and thank the Lord.
Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
~ Jesus
To say that Jesus is through sending prophets, is to make Jesus out to be a liar ... why would anyone do that? Also, to say that Jesus is talking about some other type of prophet other than a prophet like was sent to Israel in the Old Testament is make Jesus out to be a deceiver, because He led into this statement by evoking the prophets gone before that were likewise murdered.
and [you] say, `If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ... "Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets ..."
~Jesus
Jesus does not lie or mislead.
He said He would send prophets as before.
We also know there will be false prophets.
It is up to us to walk with the Lord closely so we can discern between them.
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