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 beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
He that receiveth a prophet as a prophet, shall have a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man as such, shall receive a righteous man's reward.
But what did ye indeed go out to see? a prophet? Yes, verily, and one superior to a prophet.
So they were prejudiced against Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is no where less honoured than in his own country, and in his own family.
but that he was afraid of the people; for they esteemed him as a prophet.
And the people answered, This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.
But if we say, of men, we fear the people, for they all esteem John as a prophet.
and because iniquity shall abound,
for there shall rise up false Christs, and false prophets, who shall shew great signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
but if we should say, from men --- they feared the people: (for they they all thought that John was a prophet indeed:)
And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit,
And there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and he was a just and a religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel; and the holy Spirit was upon him.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; who was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her first marrying,
And an awe seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, a great prophet is risen up among us, and God hath visited his people.
a prophet? yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
but I must procede to-day and to-morrow and the following; for it cannot be supposed that a prophet should be cut off but in Jerusalem.
but if we say, Of men, the people will all stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
And He said unto them, What things? And they replied, Those concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful both in work and word before God and all the people:
Therefore the people when they had seen the miracle that Jesus wrought, said, this is certainly the Prophet who was to come into the world.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I should go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come.
But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel,
For Moses said unto the fathers, the Lord your God will raise up a prophet unto you, of your brethren, like me, Him shall ye hear in all things whatever He shall say unto you;
but we will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
---This is that Moses who said unto 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."
And in these days came down prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
And in these days came down prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them, named Agabus, stood up and signified by the Spirit, that there would be a great famine over all the earth: which accordingly came to pass in the reign of Claudius Cesar.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul;
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul;
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul;
And Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted and established: the brethren by many discourses.
And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
And we stayed there seven days; having met with some disciples: who told Paul by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.
And he had four daughters virgins, that were prophetesses. And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus:
And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus:
And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus:
But he said unto me, Go away; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.---
Whereas the spiritual man discerneth all things, yet is himself discerned by no one.
And God hath placed you accordingly in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, and various kinds of tongues.
And God hath placed you accordingly in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, and various kinds of tongues.
But he, that prophesieth, speaketh edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men. He, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself: but he, that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
So that tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecy not to unbelievers but to those that believe.
And thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; so that falling down upon his face he will worship God, declaring that God is indeed among you.
And let but two or three of the prophets speak, and the others judge.
And let but two or three of the prophets speak, and the others judge. And if any thing be revealed to another sitting by, let the first have done speaking before the other begins. read more. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
But on the contrary, seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision; (for He who wrought effectually in Peter as to the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought effectually also in me as to the gentiles:)
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone:
which in other generations was not made known to men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be co-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel:
Wherefore it is said, "When he ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."
And therefore He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; to qualify holy men for the work of the ministry,
And therefore He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; to qualify holy men for the work of the ministry,
For whereas ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have need again of some one to teach you the first rudiments of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food.
Remember your guides, who spake the word of God to you; whose faith imitate, considering the happy end of their conversation.
Happy is he that readeth, and those that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is near.
And I fell at his feet to worship him: and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and a fellow-servant of thy brethren, that hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
For behold I come quickly: happy is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
And he said unto 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 unto me, Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is near.
and if any one take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.