October 21, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church
Introduction
We could say that perhaps one of the most important abilities in the Christian life is the ability to discriminate between the true and the false: to hear God’s Word preached or taught and know if the message is true or false and then cling and to cleave to that which is true.
This is the foundation for the next few weeks: Peter is about to die; the Christian life is compared to being at war (see Eph. 6:10-18; 2nd Cor. 10:3-5; 2nd Tim. 2:3-4; etc.); false prophets operated in OT times and false teachers will operate and be in the church. This morning we will examine what a prophet is and does, and then Lord willing next Sunday we’ll answer 2 questions that will show us how to have the ability to determine whether a particular Bible teacher is true or false.
Before we look at the ways Peter tells us we can determine if a prophet is a true one or a false one we have to understand what the Bible teaches us about prophets.
I. The Biblical definition of a prophet.
The word “prophet” is found over 145 times in the NT and over 475 times in the Bible – an important word.
A. Defined: one who, moved by the Spirit of God (and therefore is His organ or spokesman) solemnly declares what he has received by inspiration concerning such things as relate to the cause and kingdom of God; to human salvation; and to future events.
B. So in the OT and NT, a true prophet was called of God – not of man; spoke with and in the authority of God – not of man; and plead God’s agenda – not their own.
II. The Biblical role or function of a prophet.
See Acts 11:27.
A. They fore-tell the Word of God. This means that prophets, under the inspiration of God, literally foretell the future. Examples.
B. They forth-tell the Word of God. This aspect of their ministry means that they simply spoke what God told them to speak in terms of exposing sin, rebuking, or sometimes even telling Israel what to do – they taught God’s Word. Examples.
III. The Biblical distinction between someone who is literally a false prophet or teacher and someone who teaches a false message or error.
A. The prophets of Baal were literally false prophets. See 1st Kings 18:21-40.
Modern examples.
B. Teachers that teach a false message or teach some doctrinal error – they are not “false prophets” in the sense we just covered but their message is false or in error. See Acts 18:24-19:7.
Modern examples: Martin Luther, etc.
Conclusion
Jesus warned us; the apostle Paul warned us; John warned us; and Peter warns us – that just as there was false prophets in Israel, like the prophets of Baal, so there will be false teachers in the church today.