www.softpill.org
July 17, 2002
Brother Epaphras Ghogle
Servant of God (Pastor)
Rehoboth Prayer House
Somajiguda, Hyderabad – 500 082, India
Dear Brother,
Subject: Prophetic Presence
After the conversation with you last night regarding the recommendation letter to Drew University that I was asking you, which you denied me, my wife Anna and I had a discussion and came to the following conclusion.
You may have been right in not giving me an opportunity to share the Word if not for the presence of 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 NASB:
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
I believe the reason why there are so many factions, divisions or denominations in the Church today is because there is fascism within and we do not apply this particular portion of scripture to the day-today functioning and order of the Church.
Some will quote from Hebrews 1:1,2 ("In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.") and say that there are no Prophets today. Then how do we explain away scripture like 1 Corinthians 12:29 ("Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?"), Ephesians 4:11 ("It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,"), and 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 20 ("Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt")? Rather we should understand that Hebrews 1:1,2 is indicative of the higher position of Jesus Christ as Son and that His Words surpass those uttered by the Prophets of old for He is the epitome of the revelation of God. Though the revelation is complete, we need more insight from God to make it applicable to contemporary life.
Our Lord too speaks of prophets arising in the last days. Is it not implied here that there will be many genuine ones too and we have to exercise discernment? Alas, what have we done? We have dismissed all as false prophets and thus quenched the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Let us further remember the Words of Jesus Christ our Lord who said, "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not loose his reward" (Matthew 10:40-42).
If doors are closed for me here, God is bound to open other doors for His called ones. And I believe this dream about Drew University is one step in that direction. Denying me an opportunity to minister is one thing but denying me a recommendation to pursue a theological education so that I can minister, is altogether another thing.
God bless.
In Him,
Caleb Suresh Motupalli.