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
Moses asked him: Do you think you need to stand up for me? I wish all Jehovah's people were prophets and that Jehovah would put his Spirit on them!
This is according to all that you asked of Jehovah your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly. You said: Let me not hear again the voice of Jehovah my God. Do not let me see this great fire anymore, or I will die.
I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you. I will put my words in his mouth. He will speak to them all that I command him.
All the people finished crossing the Jordan River. Then Jehovah spoke to Joshua:
All the people finished crossing the Jordan River. Then Jehovah spoke to Joshua:
In the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions! (Ac 2:17; Isa 44:3)
Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.
Anyone who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. Anyone who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.
Did you go to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet!
They resented him. But Jesus responded to them: A prophet is without honor in his own country, and in his own house.
Herod wanted to put him to death but he feared the people since they believed John was a prophet.
Other people said: This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.
But if we say, 'From men,' we must fear the people, because they all recognize John to be a prophet.
Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
There will be false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders so that many will be misled. This includes some of the chosen ones.
They feared the people. If we say from men the people would not like it because they all thought John was a true prophet.
His father Zechariah was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for God to save Israel. God's Holy Spirit was working in him.
Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was a very old prophetess.
They were all afraid and they praised God. They said: A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited (inspected) (selected) his people.
What did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes I tell you and much more than a prophet.
I must go on my way today, tomorrow and the following day. It would not be right that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.
If we say from men all the people will stone us. They are persuaded that John was a prophet.
He asked: What things? They said to him: The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene. He was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.
When the people saw the miracle performed they said: Truly this is the prophet who came into the world.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away. For if I do not go away the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. (Greek: autos: it)
When the Spirit of truth comes it will guide you to all truth for it will not speak from itself. It will speak the things it hears and declare to you the things that are to come.
Moses said to the fathers, 'Jehovah will raise up for your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to all the things he speaks to you.' (Deuteronomy 18:18)
We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.
This is the Moses that said to the children of Israel, your God will raise up a prophet like me from your brothers.
Prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch at that time. One of them was named Agabus. He indicated through the Spirit that a great famine was about to come on the entire earth. He said it would come to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Judas and Silas, being prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
The congregations were made stronger in the faith and grew in numbers every day.
Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Guided by the Spirit the disciples urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. As we stayed there several days, a prophet came from Judea, named Agabus.
As we stayed there several days, a prophet came from Judea, named Agabus.
As we stayed there several days, a prophet came from Judea, named Agabus.
The Lord said: 'Go! I will send you far away to the people of the nations.'
He that is spiritual judges all things, yet no man judges him.
God has appointed some in the congregation: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, abilities to direct, different tongues.
God has appointed some in the congregation: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, abilities to direct, different tongues.
But the person who prophesies (proclaims God's Word openly) speaks to men to build up, encourage and comfort. The person who speaks in an unknown tongue enlightens himself; but he who declares God's Word enlightens the entire congregation!
Therefore speaking in tongues is a sign not for believers, but for those who do not believe. Prophesying (proclaiming God's Word) serves the believer and not the unbeliever.
The secrets of his heart are made known. So falling down on his face he will worship God, and report, God is truly among you.
Let two or three prophets speak and let the others listen.
Let two or three prophets speak and let the others listen. If there is a revelation to another while sitting there, let the others keep quiet. read more. You may all prophesy one by one (in turn) that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to people who are not circumcised. Just as Peter had been entrusted with the good news to the people who are circumcised. The one who made Peter an apostle to the Jewish people (who are circumcised) also made me an apostle to the people of the nations (who are not circumcised).
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone.
It was not made known to other generations of the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. The Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the good news.
Therefore it says: When he ascended on high, he led captives, and gave gifts to men (anthropos: human beings).
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers.
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers.
At this time you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again from the beginning the elementary truths from the Word of God. You need milk, not solid food.
Remember those who are taking the lead among you, men that spoke the Word of God to you. Consider their behavior and imitate their faith.
Happy is he who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and obey the things written in it: for the time is near.
I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me: Do not do that. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers. You have the witness from Jesus: worship God! For the witness from Jesus is the spirit (mind-set) of prophecy.
Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who obeys the words of the prophecy of this book.
He said to me: Do not do that, for I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and of those who obey the words of this book: worship God. And he says to me: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near at hand.
If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.