PROPHETS OR PANHANDLERS?

The prophetic movement has been chained to the doghouse for several years and some of it for good reasons. We are instructed to always listen, weigh and check the scriptures concerning all gifts… especially public gifts.

In the first century of the church there was a written document called the Didache (pronounced did-a-kay). This word comes from the Greek ‘didoskolos’ meaning “teacher.” It was possibly written around 65-80 A.D. and is supposed to be what the twelve apostles taught to the Gentiles concerning life and death, church order, fasting, baptism, prayer, etc. There is debate as to its authenticity. This work is cited by Eusebius (260-341, and Athanasius (293-373). The Didache is not considered ‘inspired,’ but is valuable as an early church document.

The Didache says, “If any prophet, speaking in a trance, says, ‘Give me your money (or anything else),’ do not listen to him.” That is sound counsel.

The scriptures tell us, “If two or three prophets speak, let the others pass judgment.” And, “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” No one is exempt from these safeguards. Otherwise, the prophets, and others, might be panhandlers working from a gift. I am not opposed to the prophetic but I am opposed to panhandlers.

“The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.” Jesus