In the previous blog we saw that “Prophecy” literally means “to speak forth.” It is used for one who is gifted by God to proclaim or preach His truth. Mainly it was for forth-telling (preaching), only sometimes for fore-telling (predicting future events) and when someone fore-tell an event, it had to be 100% accurate or they were a false prophet and put to death. The Old Testament is full of prophets who spoke for God and whose messages were recorded for us. But the gift of prophet changed after the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 2).
Prophecy in the New Testament is different than in the Old. In the Old Testament, only a select few of God’s people were called to be prophets. In the New Testament, with the new covenant, God expands the prophetic gift to all believers. Through the Holy Spirit, every Christian hears the voice of God for themselves and can speak His message to others in the community and the church.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers and fulfilled Joel’s prophecy. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28-29). Joel’s prophecy spoke of a time when all of God’s people would participate in the prophetic, a major shift from the Old Testament model. Paul later writes about this in 1 Corinthians 14:1, encouraging all believers to desire the gift of prophecy, essentially hearing from God and repeating his messages to others, because it strengthens, encourages, and comforts the church.
Old Testament prophets spoke for God because there was no written revelation from Him. The New Testament prophecy focuses more on proclaiming truth than specific future judgments and warnings. In the New Testament, prophecy still happens but makes a dramatic shift through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Unlike the Old Testament, where God called only a select few to act as prophets, the New Testament sees the Spirit empowering every Christian to hear and speak God’s message.
In addition, though, God gifts some special men and women with the gift of prophecy so they can communicate God’s truth to others in a way they can understand it and apply it to their daily lives. All believers are to evangelize, but only some are given the gift of evangelize. All believers are to proclaim God’s Word, but only a few are given the gift of prophecy/preaching. As are all the spiritual gifts, its purpose is to build up the Body of Christ. The New Testament highlights the role of prophets within the early Christian church as foundational to its growth and development. Ephesians 4:11-12 identifies prophecy as one of the gifts given by Christ to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ, and attaining unity in the faith.
Examples of New Testament Prophets. Each of the four Gospels in the New Testament begins with a prophet, John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. John the Baptist is himself a fulfillment of Malachi in the Old Testament (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3). The book of Acts gives several more examples of prophets.
New Testament Prophets who Fore-told. While prophecy in the whole Bible is mainly forth-telling (preaching or proclaiming God’s Word), there is much fore-telling in the Old and some continues in the early church as well (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:11). In Acts 11:27-30, Agabus predicts a famine for the Judea. The early church felt this message was from God, so they responded with generosity, giving food and other resources to the Christians in Judea.
Agabus shows up again in Acts 21:10-14, which also includes his daughters as prophets. In this passage, Agabus gives Paul a prophecy. He ties his hands and feet to symbolize how Paul will be arrested and imprisoned if he goes to Jerusalem. Others hear this and believe it, discerning its truth, and try to convince Paul to change his plans. However, while Paul agrees with the prediction of his arrest, he felt led by God to continue anyway, accepting his fate. “I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Even though Paul received an accurate prophecy about his future, he had his own free will choice about what he would do and he chose to go ahead anyway, knowing the consequences. He was following the leading of the Spirit inside him.
In Acts 21:9, we read about Philip the evangelist’s four unmarried daughters, who are described as prophetesses. Their prophetic ministry underscores the inclusivity of prophecy within the early Christian community and highlights the active role of women in proclaiming God’s word. The Bible doesn’t tell us if they ministered to just women and children, or to mean as well. A companion of the apostle Paul, Silas is identified as a prophet in Acts 15:32, where he and Judas (Barsabbas) are sent to deliver a letter concerning Gentile believers. Silas’s prophetic role in the early church indicates the ongoing importance of prophetic ministry in guiding and strengthening the Christian community.
Although Barnabas is primarily known for his role as an encourager and companion to Paul, Acts 13:1 identifies him as a prophet within the church in Antioch. His prophetic ministry likely involved teaching, exhortation, edification, and guidance for the growing community of believers.
So, we see the gift of prophet continues on in the New Testament. The Old Testament was written, but not the New so it was important for God to reveal His truth through people who would pass His message on to others. That’s our privilege, and responsibility, today as well. (In the next, and final blog about prophecy, we’ll see how this gift is to be used today.)
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
When is the last time you have shared truth about God with someone, believer or unbeliever?
Thank God for the opportunity and pray He would provide more chances today. Be alert to them.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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