IF ANYONE SPEAKS .. LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD, IF ANYONE MINISTERS, LET HIM DO IT AS WITH THE ABILITY WHICH GOD SUPPLIES THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST TO WHOM BELONG THE GLORY AND THE DOMINION, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN…….. 1 PETER 4:11.

WATCHMEN OR PROPHETS?

We are able to gain understanding of God and His ways through His oracles.

Oracles are basically, sayings and if we aim to bring glory to God we are told by Peter to speak or use the scriptures as the one and only way of reaching people, teaching people and enlightening people… Matthew 28:20.

Watchmen or prophets?? ... is there a difference? ... or are we playing with the words to save face.

Nowhere in the new testament scriptures can the word … watchmen, be found as relating to a particular office given or ordained among the five fold ministry stated in the letter Paul wrote to Ephesians 4:7-16….Acts 17:11.

Therefore, are watchmen and prophets two different offices or one and the same?

I believe if a man is to call himself a watchman, he is without question saying he is a prophet. On searching the word of God, I find that the watchman was a position of the Old Testament era. As the position of priest was also. We can find neither watchman or priest named among the five fold ministry that Jesus Christ the head of the Church left upon the earth.

So often religions, groups, denominations, men and women are responsible for the blatant confusion among the ranks of professing Christians, all because they don't speak as the oracles of God. Like the old saying of … everyone is an evangelist!… Jesus word doesn't say this. Some people think, because they hand someone a tract they are an evangelist, no!

That is a witness. Some have been taught that if they prophesy, they are therefore prophets, no again. That is someone with the gift of prophecy.

Some think that, because they have a piece of paper saying they are a pastor, that they are pastors, no…this is not necessarily true either.

Certificates can be purchased by the score at the right price in today's world. We find teachers on every side yet few have sat under the chastening hand of the potter, this is why when they are rebuked or corrected they fall apart and hate the one who rebukes them.

Some have done the complete and utter apostolic course and still are none the wiser for it. As one man said … 300 joined the bible college, 100 made it through and 3 are going on with the Lord Jesus today. We can be sure that the oracles of God are the only way and the ability is given by God.

Jesus has chosen fools, weaklings and insignificant people to carry on the work of His ministry, lets not complicate matters and lets not speak of positions that don't exist, lest we cause someone to stumble in the way. To call yourself a prophet in these days is to throw your address book and social life out the window… however, to call yourself a watchman sounds less provoking and makes for a more comfortable existence. That is, if a watchman is not considered a prophet… amen

Pastor Paul Sheehan

15.10.2000

http://www.fireandhammer.com