What Is the Role of the Prophet?

[Sunstone]

What is the role of the prophet in religion? Is there any one single role that is more significant than others?

 

[sojourner]

As far as Judeo-Christianity is concerned, a prophet is one called by God to speak to the people on behalf of God. The prophet had authority to anoint kings.

 

[doppelganger]

What is the role of the prophet in religion?

To be quickly misunderstood by almost everyone following him, and to have that misunderstanding pointed out by the next prophet, who'll be misunderstood by almost everyone following him . . .

 

[KingM]

To go into the wilderness and call the people to repentance. To prophesy about the future.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

What is the role of the prophet in religion? Is there any one single role that is more significant than others?

Depends on how good she looks on the trampoline.:yes:

 

[Mike182]

does the Prophet need to understand God's message? or just relay it?

 

[madhatter85]

For us LDS members, the Apostles are all Prophets, The Role of the President (Gordon b. Hinckley) is to oversee church affairs, and to lead the LDS Church and the other Apostles. That is his "Calling" just like a Bishop, or Stake President, or Relief Society President.
The same Priesthood authority that the Apostles and Prophets have is given to every worthy male so that he may recieve inspiration, bless his wife and children, baptise his children, and give blessings to those who are sick and afflicted, and guide his family in righteousness. That same Melch. Priesthood is what guides and governs the Church affairs.

In each position, when they are set apart for that calling they are given the keys to divine inspiration for those they are serving.

 

[sojourner]

For us LDS members, the Apostles are all Prophets, The Role of the President (Gordon b. Hinckley) is to oversee church affairs, and to lead the LDS Church and the other Apostles. That is his "Calling" just like a Bishop, or Stake President, or Relief Society President.
The same Priesthood authority that the Apostles and Prophets have is given to every worthy male so that he may recieve inspiration, bless his wife and children, baptise his children, and give blessings to those who are sick and afflicted, and guide his family in righteousness. That same Melch. Priesthood is what guides and governs the Church affairs.

In each position, when they are set apart for that calling they are given the keys to divine inspiration for those they are serving.

Sooo... it's possible for all apostles to be prophets (even though the Biblical apostles are not referred to or understood to be prophets), but it's not possible for apostles to become bishops???

 

[madhatter85]

Bishops are an Aaronic (or Levitical) priesthood calling, Apostle is a Melchezedek (The Same Authority Christ had) Priesthood Calling.
Psalms 110:

4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 3:

1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 6:

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Genesis 14:

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

A bishop also holds the Melchezedek Priesthood but it is not required.

a Bishop presides over his individual Ward, Apostles are the highest authority in the church.

Apostles of the NT are indeed Prophets, they "Prophesy" of things to come. Paul, John, James, Peter, ect... they were all prophets.
Matthew 23

34 ¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

The Lord is talking about his apostles in this scripture, and in the next oen Paul is talkign about Prophets.
1 Corinthians

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Prophets are named that because they prophesy of that which is to come.

 

[sojourner]

Bishops are an Aaronic (or Levitical) priesthood calling, Apostle is a Melchezedek (The Same Authority Christ had) Priesthood Calling.

Sorry. Your references do not make the distinction clear.

A bishop also holds the Melchezedek Priesthood but it is not required.

So, both apostles and bishops hold the same priesthood, but not the same authority, in your view?
The rest of the Church does not recognize either an "Aaronic" or "Melchizedek" priesthood. They assert that the authority of the apostles was handed over to the bishops, as the roles of the offices demanded.

a Bishop presides over his individual Ward, Apostles are the highest authority in the church.

A bishop is in charge of his diocese. In some expressions, archbishops are a higher authority, but not in all. Apostles are seen as synonymous with bishops.

Apostles of the NT are indeed Prophets, they "Prophesy" of things to come.

They engage in prophet activity. So do a lot of other people. That does not make them "prophets" in the sense of an ecclesial office. Nostradamus prophesied, too, but he is not seen as a "prophet."

The Lord is talking about his apostles in this scripture, and in the next oen Paul is talkign about Prophets.

How are you so sure?

Prophets are named that because they prophesy of that which is to come.

Sometimes they're named that because they open people's eyes to the way things are now.

 

[madhatter85]

Sorry. Your references do not make the distinction clear.

Numbers 18:

1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Hebrews 7:

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

So, both apostles and bishops hold the same priesthood, but not the same authority, in your view?

They hold the same priesthood authority, but the "calling" (or if you want to stretch it "Job descritpion") is not of the same level. Bishops were organized under the Aaronic priesthood to preside over that order. The Melchisedec was for the higher order of Apostles.

The rest of the Church does not recognize either an "Aaronic" or "Melchizedek" priesthood. They assert that the authority of the apostles was handed over to the bishops, as the roles of the offices demanded.

Why does the CC not recognize it when it came from biblical refrences? do they feel thier own words wiegh more than the Bible's words do?

A bishop is in charge of his diocese. In some expressions, archbishops are a higher authority, but not in all. Apostles are seen as synonymous with bishops.

In your Church yes, but the Bishops were given the Aaronic priesthood as a prepatory priesthood, only apostles and Christ at the time held the Melchisedec.

They engage in prophet activity. So do a lot of other people. That does not make them "prophets" in the sense of an ecclesial office. Nostradamus prophesied, too, but he is not seen as a "prophet."

The only reason Nostradomus was not seen as a prophet is because he did not hold the keys of revelation and prophecy. We do not know from whcih source his prophecies came.

How are you so sure?

Who do you think he is talking about?

Sometimes they're named that because they open people's eyes to the way things are now.

So in essence our apostles are prophets, and so were the ones during christ's time because look at pauls letters in the NT, he is trying to open thier eyes to the way things were at the time.

 

[sojourner]

REad Hebrews 7 again, and go on to chapter 8. I think your interpretation is way off base here.

 

[madhatter85]

Hebrews 7 -

The Melchizedek Priesthood brings exaltation and administers the gospel—It is received with an oath and covenant—Superiority of the Melchizedek over the Aaronic Priesthood—Salvation comes through the intercession of Christ.

1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: )

22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 8 -

Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for sin—God promised to make a new covenant with Israel.

1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

8 has nothing to do with the priesthood. where is the conflict? there is no room for interpitation.

 

[sojourner]

where is the conflict? there is no room for interpitation.

There's always room for interpretation. That's the nature of the hermeneutical problem.

 

[madhatter85]

There's always room for interpretation. That's the nature of the hermeneutical problem.

sounds like a personal problem to me, you might want to have that checked out by a doctor or something, I think it's probably contagious so if you could not be around anyone that would be great, thanks!

But really. there is no room for interpitation, unless you are just crazy or brainwashed.

Again, please point out the conflict, i woudl like to see it.

 

[sojourner]

sounds like a personal problem to me, you might want to have that checked out by a doctor or something, I think it's probably contagious so if you could not be around anyone that would be great, thanks!

But really. there is no room for interpitation, unless you are just crazy or brainwashed.

Again, please point out the conflict, i woudl like to see it.

:cover:

The problem is that everyone interprets what they read through their own hermeneutical cloud -- that is, through the lens of their own understanding.

Here's how I see it:
Vs. 17:
According to the order of Melchizedek. Not necessarily of the order. Like the order, in other words. Chap. 8 goes on to say that we have a mediator of a better covenant.

 

[madhatter85]

:cover:

The problem is that everyone interprets what they read through their own hermeneutical cloud -- that is, through the lens of their own understanding.

Here's how I see it:
Vs. 17:
According to the order of Melchizedek. Not necessarily of the order. Like the order, in other words. Chap. 8 goes on to say that we have a mediator of a better covenant.

how is that even remotely close to what it says? your hermeneutical cloud must be a pretty thick and dark cumulous cloud.

How is it a "better" covenenat, when it is based on the precept of the previous covenant?

 

[sojourner]

how is that even remotely close to what it says? your hermeneutical cloud must be a pretty thick and dark cumulous cloud.

How is it a "better" covenenat, when it is based on the precept of the previous covenant?

8:6 "But Jesus has no obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant..."

It isn't based on the previous. See Vss. 1-5. They compare the earthly priests who offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one (in which Jesus offers worship).

Vs. 7 says, "For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look of r a second one."

This isn't about who's in what order of priesthood, it's an apologetic for the new covenant.

 

[madhatter85]

He's not talkign about the priesthood covenant, he's talkign aboutthe covenant with moses about his people because they had broken the first covenant, so he made a new one with them. read v9

 

[Katzpur]

What is the role of the prophet in religion? Is there any one single role that is more significant than others?

I believe it's primarily to speak to God's people on His behalf and to safeguard the keys (i.e. priesthood authority) to the Kingdom of Heaven.