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 will say to him, Thou envying for me; and who will give all the people of Jehovah prophets? when Jehovah will give his spirit upon them.
According to all thou didst ask from Jehovah thy God in Horeb, in the day of the gathering, saying, I will not add to hear the voice of Jehovah my God, and this great fire I will no more see, and I shall not die.
A prophet will I raise up to them from the midst of their brethren, like thee, and I gave my word in his mouth, and he spake to them all that I shall command him.
And it shall be as all the people finished passing over Jordan, and Jehovah will say to Joshua,
And it shall be as all the people finished passing over Jordan, and Jehovah will say to Joshua,
And it was after this I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters prophesied, your old men shall dream your young men shall see visions.
And hold from false prophets which come in to you in sheep's dresses, but within they are rapacious wolves.
He receiving a prophet in a prophet's name, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he receiving the just in the name of the just, shall take the reward of the just
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more eminent than a prophet.
And they were scandalized in him. And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not unhonoured, except in his native land, and in his house.
And wishing to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, because they held John as a prophet.
And the crowds said, This is Jesus, the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee.
But if we say, Of men; we fear the crowd; for all hold John as a prophet.
And many false prophets shall be raised up, and deceive many.
For false Christs, and false prophets, shall be raised up, and give great signs and wonders; so as to deceive, if possible, also the chosen.
But if we say, Of men; they feared the people : for all held John, that he was truly a prophet.
And Zacharias his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
And, behold, a man was in Jerusalem, the name to him Simeon; and this man just and cautious, waiting the consolation of Israel : and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And Anna was a prophetess, daughter of flannel, of the tribe of Aser : she advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
And fear took all; and they praised God, saying, That a great prophet has risen up among us; and That God has reviewed his people.
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, superior to a prophet.
But I must go to day and to morrow and the following: for it is not possible for a prophet to perish out of Jerusalem.
And if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded John to be a prophet.
And Jesus said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarite, who was a man, a prophet, powerful in work and words before God and all the people:
Then the men, having seen the sign which Jesus did, said, That this is truly the prophet coming into the world.
But I say the truth to you; it is profitable to you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Intercessor shall not come to you; and if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he should come, the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he should hear, shall he speak: and he shall announce to you the things coming.
For Moses truly said to the fathers, That a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you from your brethren, like me; him shall ye hear according to all whatever he speak to you.
And we will persevere in prayer, and the service of the word.
This is Moses, having said to the sons of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like me; him shall ye hear.
In these days came down prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
In these days came down prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them having risen, Agabus by name, signified by the Holy Spirit a great famine was about to be upon the whole habitable globe: which was during Claudius Caesar.
And certain prophets and teachers were in the church being in Antioch; as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And certain prophets and teachers were in the church being in Antioch; as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And certain prophets and teachers were in the church being in Antioch; as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And Judas and Silas, they also being prophets, through much speech consoled the brethren, and supported.
Therefore truly the churches were rendered firm in faith, and abounded 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.
And to him were four daughters, virgins, prophesying. And we remaining many days, a certain prophet came down from Judea, by name Agabus.
And we remaining many days, a certain prophet came down from Judea, by name Agabus.
And we remaining many days, a certain prophet came down from Judea, by name Agabus.
And he said to me, Go: for I will send thee far off to the nations.
And the spiritual truly examines all things, and he is examined by no one.
For also the body is not one member, but many.
And whom truly God set in the church, first the sent, second the prophets, third teachers, then powers, then graces of healings, helps, directions, kinds of tongues.
And whom truly God set in the church, first the sent, second the prophets, third teachers, then powers, then graces of healings, helps, directions, kinds of tongues.
And he prophesying speaks to men for building the house, and entreaty, and encouragement. And he speaking in a tongue builds himself; and he prophesying builds the church.
So that tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving: and the gift of prophecy, not to the unbelieving, but to the believing.
And so the hidden things of his heart are made manifest; and so having fallen upon the face, he will worship God, proclaiming that God is truly with you.
And let the prophets speak two or three, and let others decide.
And let the prophets speak two or three, and let others decide. And if to another sitting by it be revealed, let the first be silent. read more. For ye are all able to prophesy one by one, that all might learn, and all might be encouraged.
But on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the good news of uncircumcision, as Peter of circumcision; (For be having been energetic in Peter for the mission of circumcision, was energetic also in me for the nations:)
Built upon the foundation of the sent, and of the prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner stone;
Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as now has been revealed to his holy sent and to the prophets by the Spirit: For the nations to be co-heirs, and united in one body, and, participators of his solemn promise in Christ by the good news:
Wherefore he says, Having ascended into height, he made captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
And truly he gave the sent; and the prophets; and the bearers of good tidings; and the shepherds, and the teachers;
And truly he gave the sent; and the prophets; and the bearers of good tidings; and the shepherds, and the teachers;
For also ye ought to be teachers for the time, again ye have need for some one to teach you the elements of the beginning of the sayings of God; and have become those having need of milk, and not of firm food.
Remember them guiding you, who spake to you the word of God: of whom, observing narrowly the issue of the mode of life, imitate the faith:
Happy he reading, and they hearing the words of the prophecy, and keeping the things written in it, for the time is near.
And I fell before his feet to worship him. And he says to me, See, not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren having the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Behold, I come quickly: happy he keeping the words of the prophecy of this book.
And he says to me, See, not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them keeping the words of the prophecy of this book; worship God. And he says to me, Thou mayest not seal the words of the prophecy of this book: for the time is near.
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 written in this book.