Reference: Prophet
Hastings
1. The spirit of prophecy, as it meets us under the Old Dispensation, runs on into the New, and there are prophets in the NT who are properly to be described as OT prophets. Such as Anna the prophetess (Lu 2:36; cf. Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah in the OT); Zacharias, who is expressly said to have prophesied (Lu 1:67 ff.); Simeon, whose Nunc Dimittis is an utterance of an unmistakably prophetic nature (Lu 2:25 ff.) But above all there is John the Baptist, who was not only recognized by the nation as a great prophet (Mt 14:5; 21:26; Mr 11:32; Lu 20:6), but was declared by Jesus to be the greatest prophet of the former dispensation, while yet less than the least in the Kingdom of heaven (Mt 11:9 ff. = Lu 7:26 ff.)
2. Jesus Himself was a prophet. It was in this character that the Messiah had been promised (De 18:16,18; cf. Ac 3:22; 7:37), and had been looked for by many (Joh 6:14). During His public ministry it was as a prophet that He was known by the people (Mt 21:11; cf. Lu 7:16), and described by His own disciples (Lu 24:19), and even designated by Himself (Mt 13:57; Lu 13:33). And according to the teaching of the NT, the exalted Christ still continues to exercise His prophetic function, guiding His disciples into all the truth by the Spirit whom He sends (Joh 16:7,13), and 'building up the body' by bestowing upon it Apostles, prophets, and teachers (Eph 4:8 ff.).
3. From the prophetic office of her exalted Head there flowed the prophetic endowment of the Church. Joel had foretold a time when the gift of prophecy should be conferred upon all (Joe 2:28 f.), and at Pentecost we see that word fulfilled (Ac 2:16 ff.). Ideally, all the Lord's people should be prophets. For 'the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy' (Re 19:10), and in proportion as Christians are filled with the Pentecostal Spirit they will desire, like the members of the newborn Church, to bear testimony to their Master (cf. Nu 11:29; 1Co 14:5).
4. But even in the Spirit-filled Church diversities of gifts quickly emerged, and a special power of prophetic utterance was bestowed upon certain individuals. A prophetic ministry arose, a ministry of Divine inspiration, which has to be distinguished from the official ministry of human appointment (see art. Ministry). In a more general sense, all those who 'spoke the word of God' (Heb 13:7) were prophets. The ministry of the word (Ac 6:4) was a prophetic ministry, and so we find St. Paul himself described as a prophet long after he had become an Apostle (Ac 13:1).
5. But in a more precise use of the term we find the specific NT prophet distinguished from others who 'speak the word of God,' and in particular from the Apostle and the teacher (1Co 12:28 f., cf. Eph 4:11). The distinction seems to be that while the Apostle was a missionary to the unbelieving (Ga 2:7-8), the prophet was a messenger to the Church (1Co 14:4,22); and while the teacher explained or enforced truth that was already possessed (Heb 5:12), the prophet was recognized by the spiritual discernment of his hearers (1Co 2:15; 14:29; 1Jo 4:1) as the Divine medium of fresh revelations (1Co 14:25,30-31; Eph 3:6; cf. Did. iv. 1).
Three main types of prophesying may be distinguished in the NT
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses said to him, Are thou jealous for my sake? Would that all of LORD's people were prophets, that LORD would put his Spirit upon them!
according to all that thou desired of LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.
I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, like thee. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions.
But beware of FALSE prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are predatory wolves.
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.
But what did ye go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
And they were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his fatherland, and in his house.
And though he wanted to kill him, he feared the multitude because they held him as a prophet.
And the multitudes said, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.
But if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.
And many FALSE prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.
For there will arise FALSE Christs and FALSE prophets, and they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen.
But should we say, From men? (They feared the people, for all held John that he was indeed a prophet.)
And his father Zacharias was filled of Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the encouragement of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him.
And there was Anna, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (being advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
And fear seized all. And they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has been raised among us, and, God came to help his people.
But what did ye go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
Nevertheless it is necessary for me to go today and tomorrow and the following, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.
But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are convinced John is a prophet.
And he said to them, What? And they said to him, The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who became a prophet, a mighty man in work and word before God and all the people,
When therefore the men saw what sign Jesus did, they said, This really is the prophet who comes into the world.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I depart, for if I do not depart, the helper will not come to you. But whenever I go, I will send him to you.
However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming.
For Moses indeed said to the fathers, Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you, from your brothers, like me. Ye shall hear him in all things, as many as he might speak to you.
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the service of the word.
This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you, from your brothers, like me.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus, after standing up, signified by the Spirit there was going be a great famine in the whole world, which also happened under Claudius Caesar.
Now there were some men from the congregation that was in Antioch, prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen reared with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were some men from the congregation that was in Antioch, prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen reared with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were some men from the congregation that was in Antioch, prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen reared with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers by much speech, and strengthened them.
Indeed therefore the congregations were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
And having found disciples (we remained there seven days) who said to Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
Now four virgin daughters who prophesied were with this man. And as we remained more days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
And as we remained more days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
And as we remained more days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
And he said to me, Depart, because I will send thee far away to Gentiles.
But truly the spiritual man evaluates all things, but he himself is evaluated by none.
And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
But he who prophesies speaks to men edification and encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the congregation.
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving. But prophesying is not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
And so the secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so having fallen down on his face he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.
And let two or three prophets speak, and let the other men pass judgment.
And let two or three prophets speak, and let the other men pass judgment. But if it should be revealed to another man who is seated, let the first be silent. read more. For ye can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may be encouraged.
but to the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the good-news for men of uncircumcision, as Peter for men of circumcision (for he who was working in Peter for the apostleship for men of circumcision was also working in me for the Gentiles),
Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner,
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. For Gentiles to be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partakers of his promise in the Christ through the good-news.
Therefore he says, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers
And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers
For also men who ought to be teachers because of the time, ye have need again for some man to teach you the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of God, and have become men who have need of milk, and not of solid food.
Remember those who lead you, men who spoke the word of God to you, of whom, carefully observing the outcome of their conduct, imitate the faith--
Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things written in it, for the time is near.
And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And he says to me, See thou not. I am a fellow bondman of thee and thy brothers, those who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophe
And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
And he says to me, See thou not. I am thy fellow bondman, and of thy brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God! And he says to me, Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
And if any man takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and from the holy city, the things written in this book.