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
But beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but within are ravenous wolves.
He that receives a prophet be cause he is a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward.
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
And they found in him occasion for offense. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, unless it be in his own country and in his own house.
And he intended to put him to death, but feared the multitude, because they regarded him as a prophet.
And the multitude said: This is Jesus the prophet, that is from Nazareth of Galilee.
But if we reply, From men, we fear the multitude; for all regard John as a prophet.
and many false prophets will arise, and deceive many;
For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
But if we say, From men, they feared the people; for all regarded John as a prophet indeed.
And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was upon him:
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity:
And fear seized on all; and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet has arisen among us; and, God has visited his people.
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
But I must continue my journey to-day and to-morrow and the day following; for it is not possible that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; for they believe that John was a prophet.
And he said to them: What things? They said to him: The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and in word before God and all the people;
Then the men, after having seen the sign which Jesus did, said: This is, in truth, the prophet that was to come into the world.
But yet I tell you the truth: it is profitable for you that I go away. For if I go not away, the Paraclete will not come to you. But if I go away, I will send him to you.
But when he, the Spirit of the truth, has come, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak of himself; but what he hears, that will he speak, and he will show you things to come.
For Moses said to the fathers, A prophet like me shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren; him shall you hear in all things that he shall say to you.
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
This is that Moses, who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet like me will the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren; him shall you hear.
In those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
In those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them, named Agabus, rose and made known, by the Spirit, that a great famine was about to come on the whole habitable land; which took place in the days of Claudius.
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily.
And we remained there seven days, after finding the disciples. These urged Paul, by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.
This man had four virgin daughters, who had the gift of prophesy. And as we remained there many days, there came down, from Judea, a certain prophet, named Agabus;
And as we remained there many days, there came down, from Judea, a certain prophet, named Agabus;
And as we remained there many days, there came down, from Judea, a certain prophet, named Agabus;
And he said to me, Depart, for I will send you far off to the Gentiles.
But the spiritual man discerns all things; yet he himself is discerned by no one.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
But he that prophesies speaks to men so as to build them up, to exhort and comfort them. He that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself; but he that prophesies, edifies the church.
Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not: but prophecy is not for those who believe not, but for those who believe.
and the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is really among you.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge:
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge: and if any thing be revealed to one who is sitting by, let the first be silent. read more. For you can all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged;
but; on the other hand, seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision, (for he who gave efficiency to Peter, for the apostleship of the circumcision, gave efficiency to me also, as an apostle for the Gentiles,)
having been builded upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone,
which, in other generations, was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in the Christ, through the gospel,
For which reason, the scripture says: When he ascended on high, he led captive a multitude of captives, and gave gifts to men.
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For though you ought to be teachers, considering the time, yet you have need that some one teach you again what are the first elements of the oracles of God; and you have be come such as have need of milk, and not of strong food.
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: attentively consider the result of their conduct, and imitate their faith.
Blessed is he that reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it; for the time is at hand.
And I fell at his feet to worship him; and he said to me: See that you do it not; I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
And behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
And he said to me: See that you do it not; I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book: worship God. And he said to me: Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
And if any one take 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; which things are written in this book.