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
Beware of false prophets, who to outward appearance are sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
he that receives a prophet in quality of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a just man, as such, shall receive the reward of the just.
or did you go to see a prophet? yes, and be assured, one superiour to a prophet.
and they were scandaliz'd at him. but Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own family.
he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet.
and the crowd said, 'tis Jesus the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee.
but if we say, it was merely human, we are obnoxious to the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves.
if we should say, it was a human institution, we run a risk from the people. (for they all believed John was a true prophet.)
Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words.
At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy.
There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin:
all that were present were seized with dread, and glorified God, saying, a great prophet is risen up among us, and God has visited his people.
what then did you go to see? a prophet? yes, I say it, and more than a prophet.
till then I must be stirring about, to-day, and to-morrow, and the next day: for a prophet cannot be put to death any where, but at Jerusalem.
if we should assert, it was a human contrivance, the populace would stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
what about? said he. why, about Jesus the Nazarean, said they, who was a prophet, eminently recommended, by his doctrine and his works, to the approbation of God and of all the people;
The people, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, cry'd out, this is of a truth that prophet who was to come into the world.
nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I do not go away, the advocate will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.
but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come.
but this is the accomplishment of what was said by the prophet Joel,
for Moses said to the fathers, "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; observe whatever he shall say to you.
whilst we shall continue our applications to prayer, and to preaching.
this is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."
About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch: and one of them named Agabus foretold by the spirit, that there should be a great famine, thro' all the world: which accordingly happen'd in the reign of Claudius Cesar.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
they being also prophets, they consolated and confirm'd the brethren by several discourses.
thus were the churches established in the faith, and daily grew more numerous.
we staid seven days with the disciples we met there: who told Paul from the holy spirit, that he should not go to Jerusalem.
he was one of the seven deacons, and had four daughters all virgins, prophetesses. after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit.
after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit.
after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit.
but the Lord said to me, "be gone, for I will send you far hence, even to the Gentiles."
but they are all expos'd to the judgment of the spiritual, whilst he himself is not subject to the judgment of any man.
which God has placed in the church, first apostles, next prophets, then teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, assistants, governours, interpreters of languages.
which God has placed in the church, first apostles, next prophets, then teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, assistants, governours, interpreters of languages.
but he that expounds, speaks to the edification, exhortation, and comfort of men. he that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself alone: but he that expounds, edifies the church.
wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers: but expounding the prophets, not for unbelievers so much as for those who believe.
the secrets of his heart become manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and declare that God is certainly amongst you.
of the prophets let but two or three speak by turns, and let the others deliberate.
of the prophets let but two or three speak by turns, and let the others deliberate. if the meaning be revealed to another that sits by, let the first be silent. read more. for ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may receive instruction and exhortation.
on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews, (for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James,
being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle:
which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."
wherefore 'tis said, " when he ascended up on high, he made a number of captives, and gave gifts to men."
It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:
It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:
for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.
Remember those who have the rule over you, who have preach'd to you the word of God: imitate their faith; consider their conduct, and the exit they made.
Happy is he that reads, and attends to the words of this prophecy, and observes the matter therein contain'd: for the time draws nigh.
then I fell at his seet to worship him: but he said to me, "forbear: I am the servant of God, as you and your brethren are, that bear testimony to Jesus: worship God: for to give testimony to Jesus, is the very design of prophecy."
I shall soon come: happy is he that attends to the prophecies of this book."
but he said to me, "forbear, I am the servant of God, as you are, and your brethren the prophets, and those who observe the words of this book: worship God." He subjoin'd, "don't seal the prophetic discourses of this book: for the time draws nigh.
and if any one shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall exclude him from any interest in the tree of life, and in the holy city, and in the things which are written in this book."