QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What is the function of prophets in the Old and New Testament?
Who were the prophets and teachers in Antioch? Acts 13:1
What did the Holy Spirit tell them to do? Acts 13:1
What did the prophets do in Acts 15:32
In general, where do NT prophets prophesy? Who is their audience?
Does it appear that prophets were rare? 1 Corinthians 14:26 & 29,
What is the foundation of the household of God? Ephesians 2:20
How is the word prophet used in the New Testament?
Let's see what information we can find in Vine's Expository Dictionary.
In the NT the word is used
(a) of "the OT prophets," e.g., Mat 5:12; Mar 6:15; Luk 4:27; Jhn 8:52; Rom 11:3;
(b) of "prophets in general," e.g., Mat 10:41; 21:46; Mar 6:4;
(c) of "John the Baptist," Mat 21:26; Luk 1:76;
(d) of "prophets in the churches,"
(e) of "Christ, as the afore promised Prophet," e.g., Jhn 1:21; 6:14; 7:40; Act 3:22; 7:37, or, without the article, and, without reference to the Old Testament, Mar 6:15, Luk 7:16; in Luk 24:19 it is used with aner, "a man;" Jhn 4:19; 9:17;
(f) of "two witnesses" yet to be raised up for special purposes, Rev 11:10, 18;
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
What prophets were listed in the New Testament?
Acts 13:1 NOW IN the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away. AMP
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God), urged and warned and consoled and encouraged the brethren with many words and strengthened them. AMP
Acts 21:10 While we were remaining there for some time, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 And coming to [see] us, he took Paul's belt and with it bound his own feet and hands and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit: The Jews at Jerusalem shall bind like this the man who owns this belt, and they shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles (heathen).AMP
1 Cor 12:28 So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues. AMP
1 Cor 14:26 When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.
29 So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. AMP
1 Cor 14:37 If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [filled with and governed by the Holy Spirit of God and inspired to interpret the divine will and purpose in preaching or teaching] or has any other spiritual endowment, let him understand (recognize and acknowledge) that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. AMP
Eph 2:20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.AMP
Eph 3:5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. AMP
Let's check Easton's Bible Dictionary for their definition of prophet.
What is the function of prophets in the Old and New Testament?
The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him, as the "seer" beheld the vision of God. (See Num 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God's name and by his authority (Exd 7:1). He is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jer 1:9; Isa 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2Pe 1:20,21; Hbr 3:7; Act 4:25; 28:25). Prophets were the immediate organs of God for the communication of his mind and will to men (Deu 18:18,19). The whole Word of God may in this general sense be spoken of as prophetic, inasmuch as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God, no matter what its nature might be. The foretelling of future events was not a necessary but only an incidental part of the prophetic office. The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was "to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lie at the foundation of his government."
Any one being a spokesman for God to man might thus be called a prophet. Thus Enoch, Abraham, and the patriarchs, as bearers of God's message (Gen 20:7; Exd 7:1; Psa 105:15), as also Moses (Deu 18:15; 34:10; Hsa 12:13), are ranked among the prophets. The seventy elders of Israel (Num 11:16-29), "when the spirit rested upon them, prophesied;" Asaph and Jeduthun "prophesied with a harp" (1Ch 25:3). Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Exd 15:20; Jdg 4:4). The title thus has a general application to all who have messages from God to men.
But while the prophetic gift was thus exercised from the beginning, the prophetical order as such began with Samuel. Colleges, "schools of the prophets", were instituted for the training of prophets, who were constituted, a distinct order (1Sa 19:18-24; 2Ki 2:3,15; 4:38), which continued to the close of the Old Testament. Such "schools" were established at Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, Gibeah, and Jericho. The "sons" or "disciples" of the prophets were young men (2Ki 5:22; 9:1,4) who lived together at these different "schools" (4:38-41). These young men were taught not only the rudiments of secular knowledge, but they were brought up to exercise the office of prophet, "to preach pure morality and the heart-felt worship of Jehovah, and to act along and co-ordinately with the priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright and checking all attempts at illegality and tyranny."
SOURCE: Easton, M. G. "Prophet," Easton's Bible Dictionary. Blue Letter Bible. 1897. 1 Apr 2007. 6 Jun 2009. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm? type=GetTopic&Topic=Prophet&DictList=2#Easton's> (used in part)
How are prophets different from teachers?
In New Testament times the prophetical office was continued. Our Lord is frequently spoken of as a prophet (Luk 13:33; 24:19). He was and is the great Prophet of the Church. There was also in the Church a distinct order of prophets (1Cr 12:28; Eph 2:20; 3:5), who made new revelations from God. They differed from the "teacher," whose office it was to impart truths already revealed.
SOURCE: Easton, M. G. "Prophet," Easton's Bible Dictionary. Blue Letter Bible. 1897. 1 Apr 2007. 6 Jun 2009. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm? type=GetTopic&Topic=Prophet&DictList=2#Easton's> (used in part)
In Summary - a few more questions to consider.
Did you see anything new in these scriptures?
Did it support, contradict or challenge a belief you may have held?
Did this information cause a negative or a positive response in your heart?
Your Response Journal
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Ephesians 4:11 Prophet
Ephesian 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
The following information dealing with the five-fold ministry of the church is presented in a question and answer format? My prayer is that as you read the scriptures with an open mind, you will find the answers to the questions provided.