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
Take heed then of false prophets, who come to you in the garb of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive the reward of a righteous man.
Yet what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and abundantly more than a prophet.
And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not disrespected, except in his own country, and in his own family.
And though he wished to kill him, he was afraid of the multitude, for they held him as a prophet.
Then the multitudes said, This is Jesus, the prophet, who is from Nazareth of Galilee.
But if we say, From men, we are afraid of the populace, for they all hold John as a prophet.
And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.
for false Messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and give out great signs and wonders; so as to deceive, if it were possible, even the elect.
but if we say of men??hey feared the people: for all men held John to be in truth a prophet.
And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
And, behold, there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asser: she was far advanced in old age, having lived but seven years with a husband, from her virgin state:
And fear fell on all, and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us, and that God hath looked down with mercy on his people.
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
But I must go on to-day and to-morrow, and the day following: for it is impossible that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
But if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
And he said to them, Of what sort? and they said to him, Those which relate to Jesus the Nazarean, who was a man, a prophet, mighty in word and deed before God and all the people:
When therefore the men saw the miracle which Jesus had done, they said, This is of a certainty that prophet which is to come into the world.
Yet I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I went not away, the Comforter would not come to you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
But when he is come, the Spirit of truth, he will conduct you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever things he shall hear, he shall speak: and he will declare to you the things that shall come hereafter.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like myself; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.
But we will devote ourselves constantly to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
This is the Moses who said unto the children of Israel, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren, as myself; him shall ye hear."
Now there came down in those days prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Now there came down in those days prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the spirit that a great famine was coming upon the whole habitable globe: which also came in the reign of Claudius Caesar.
NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul.
NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul.
NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul.
Then Judas and Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a discourse, and established them.
Then were the churches established truly in the faith, and increased in number daily.
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: and they said to Paul, by the Spirit, that he should not go up unto Jerusalem.
Now this man had four maiden daughters endued with the gift of prophecy. And as we tarried there several days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus.
And as we tarried there several days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus.
And as we tarried there several days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus.
And he said to me, Go: for I will send thee forth to the Gentiles afar off.
But the spiritual man discerneth indeed all things, though himself is discernible by no man.
And these also hath God placed in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, directors, different kinds of tongues.
And these also hath God placed in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, directors, different kinds of tongues.
But he that prophesieth, addresseth men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to those that believe, but to those who do not believe: but the gift of prophecy is not for those who are infidels, but for believers.
and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God verily is among you.
Let the prophets two or three speak, and let the others judge.
Let the prophets two or three speak, and let the others judge. But if any thing should be revealed to one sitting by, let the first be silent. read more. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted.
but contrariwise when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, as Peter was to the circumcision: (for he that wrought powerfully by Peter in his apostolic mission to the circumcision, wrought mightily also by me among the Gentiles.)
built up on the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it hath been now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be co-heirs, and of the same body, and sharers with them of his promise in Christ by the Gospel:
Wherefore the Scripture saith, "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."
And he himself appointed, some indeed apostles, and some prophets; and others preachers of the Gospel; and others pastors and teachers;
And he himself appointed, some indeed apostles, and some prophets; and others preachers of the Gospel; and others pastors and teachers;
For though ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have again need that some one teach you the leading principles of the oracles of God; and are become as those who need milk, and not solid food.
Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of God: the ultimate issue of whose conduct attentively observing, be imitators of their fidelity.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and observe the things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
And I fell down before his feet to worship him: and he said unto me, See thou dost not so: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
Behold, I come quickly! blessed is he that observeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
And he said to me, See thou do it not; for I am a fellow-servant of thine, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who observe the words of this book: worship God. And he said to me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
and if any take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the book of life, and from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.