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 Moses said to him, Enviest thou for my sake? would that all Jehovah's people were prophets, and that Jehovah would put his Spirit upon them!
according to all that thou desiredst of Jehovah thy God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Jehovah my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
A prophet will I raise up unto them from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
And it came to pass when the whole nation had completely gone over the Jordan, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying,
And it came to pass when the whole nation had completely gone over the Jordan, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying,
And it shall come to pass afterwards 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, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but within are ravening wolves.
He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward.
But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet:
And they were offended in him. And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honour, unless in his country and in his house.
And while desiring to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him for a prophet.
And the crowds said, This is Jesus the prophet who is from Nazareth of Galilee.
but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.
and many false prophets shall arise and shall mislead many;
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall give great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
but should we say, Of men they feared the people; for all held of John that he was truly a prophet.
And Zacharias 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 pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
And fear seized on all, and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has been raised up amongst us; and God has visited his people.
But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and what is more excellent than a prophet.
but I must needs walk to-day and to-morrow and the day following, for it must not be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
but if we should say, Of men, the whole people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazaraean, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;
The men therefore, having seen the sign which Jesus had done, said, This is truly the prophet which is coming into the world.
But I say the truth to you, It is profitable for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you.
But when he is come, the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but whatsoever he shall hear he shall speak; and he will announce to you what is coming.
but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel,
Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you out of your brethren like me: him shall ye hear in everything whatsoever he shall say to you.
but we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.
This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up to you out of your brethren like me him shall ye hear.
Now in these days prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch;
Now in these days prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch; and one from among them, by name Agabus, rose up and signified by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over all the inhabited earth, which also came to pass under Claudius.
Now there were in Antioch, in the assembly which was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were in Antioch, in the assembly which was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were in Antioch, in the assembly which was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with much discourse, and strengthened them.
The assemblies therefore were confirmed in the faith, and increased in number every day.
And having found out the disciples, we remained there seven days; who said to Paul by the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. And as we stayed there many days, a certain man, by name Agabus, a prophet, came down from Judaea,
And as we stayed there many days, a certain man, by name Agabus, a prophet, came down from Judaea,
And as we stayed there many days, a certain man, by name Agabus, a prophet, came down from Judaea,
And he said to me, Go, for I will send thee to the nations afar off.
but the spiritual discerns all things, and he is discerned of no one.
And God has set certain in the assembly: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then miraculous powers; then gifts of healings; helps; governments; kinds of tongues.
And God has set certain in the assembly: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then miraculous powers; then gifts of healings; helps; governments; kinds of tongues.
But he that prophesies speaks to men in edification, and encouragement, and consolation. He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly.
So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.
the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon his face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you.
And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if there be a revelation to another sitting there, let the first be silent. read more. For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.
but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision, (for he that wrought in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision wrought also in me towards the Gentiles,)
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone,
which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the power of the Spirit, that they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;
Wherefore he says, Having ascended up on high, he has led captivity captive, and has given gifts to men.
and he has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers,
and he has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers,
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that one should teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith.
Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written in it; for the time is near.
And I fell before his feet to do him homage. And he says to me, See thou do it not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and the fellow-bondman of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Do homage to God. For the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
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 do it not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and the fellow-bondman of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Do homage to God. And he says to me, Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book. The time is near.
And if any one take from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.