The New Testament Prophet

Ever since Azusa, the world has seen a rise in the number of prophets. In fact, we have more prophets now than there has ever been in the world since creation. Think about that for a moment. This office is riddled with controversy, and many doctrines have been formulated and preached regarding the status and role of the prophet in the life of a believer. This teaching seeks to bring a balanced, scriptural perspective on the subject. By the end of this we will see what exactly is the role of a prophet in the church and life of a born again believer.

When people want to find out how a prophet should function they tend to go into the old testament and look at prophets like Moses, Elijah and Samuel. From these examples, people then try to frame a position for a prophet in the church.

The reason for this is that there are no adequate examples of the function of prophets in the New Testament writings. We have a brief mention of Agabus and the daughters of Philip. However, not much is said about how they worked or what their role was in the church. There is reason why the New Testament seems to ignore the prophets and rather focus on Apostles.

FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Jesus Christ makes a statement that establishes 2 separate dispensations in relation to the work of prophets.

Luke 16:16 (NET)
“The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it.

Before the advent of John the Baptist, The Law and The Prophets were the source of God’s word to mankind. If you wanted guidance, if you wanted to know what is right and wrong, if you wanted to know what God was saying to you, you would look to the Law and The Prophets.

If God had anything to say to a nation or to his people he would raise a prophet.

Deuteronomy 18:17-19 (NET)
17 The Lord then said to me, “What they have said is good.

18 I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command.

19 I will personally hold responsible anyone who then pays no attention to the words that prophet speaks in my name.

Whenever God had anything to say to the people, he would raise a prophet for that generation and failing to listen to that prophet, was failing to listen to God. But, Jesus now boldly declares that this dispensation of Law and Prophets was only in effect until John the Baptist. He then says that from the days of John the Baptist onwards, The gospel of the kingdom is preached and every man must press and enter into it. This means the gospel has replaced the Law and The Prophets.

The book of Hebrews says this…

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NET)
1 After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets,

2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.

These are the two dispensations being separated. God spoke to the fathers in many different ways through prophets but in these last days he has spoken to us directly through his Son Jesus.

This means, The Son of God himself is the prophet of the age and after him, no prophet can stand in his position. Jesus is still alive. He is the Major Prophet so to speak. However, we know that Jesus has set prophets in the church, so what is their purpose?

CHURCH STRUCTURE
Jesus Christ is alive and working and he is the Head of the church. Within the church he has set a structure.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NET)
And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.

In the Hierarchy of the church we have Christ as the head then we have apostles, then prophets below them. This is because the foundational doctrine of the church was entrusted to apostles not prophets.

Acts 2:42 (KJV)
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 Revelation 21:10, 14 (KJV)
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 Jude 1:17 (KJV)
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

So in the New testament, the apostle is set to establish the doctrine of Christ. The New Testament Prophet also no longer stands as the main guide because the born again believer was given the Holy Spirit as his everyday guide.

John 16:13-15 (NET)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.

14 He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.

 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.

This Spirit of Truth was given to live inside every born again believer.

Acts 2:17-18 (NET)
17 ‘And in the last days it will be,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

 1 John 2:26-27 (NET)

26 These things I have written to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

 27 Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.

ROLE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH
So what then is the duty of the new testament prophet. He is there to edify and exhort the church by standing as a witness to the unction that the Holy Spirit is giving you.

1. A prophet can have revelation concerning your secret life that you are not living according to the truth of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NET)
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

25 The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, “God is really among you.”

2. A prophet can receive confirmation of your calling and gift in Christ.

1 Timothy 4:14 (NET)
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

3. They can confirm the time of your commission.

Acts 13:2 (NET)
While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

These were prophets and teachers serving.

4. Prophets can affirm that what has been said is indeed from God.

1 Corinthians 14:37 (NET)
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

5. In all this a prophet therefore brings edification and exhortation

1 Corinthians 14:3 (NET)
But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROPHETIC GIFT AND PROPHETIC OFFICE?
In the New Testament we have the gifts of Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Discernment of Spirits and Prophecy as listed in 1 Corinthians 12.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NET)
Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

These are Revelation Gifts. Ways in which one can get messages from God. However, we also have the office of a prophet. While all people can potentially prophesy, not all can be prophets.

1 Corinthians 12:29 (NET)
Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they?

A person who stands in the office of a prophet will have the gift of prophecy and other revelatory gifts such as word of knowledge, word of wisdom or discerning of Spirits.

Let me give an example.

Any person can potentially evangelise… But not everyone is called to stand in the office of an Evangelist. Any person can potentially teach but not everyone is called to stand in the office of a teacher. An Evangelist can teach, but that does not make him a teacher. He remains an Evangelist. Same with being a prophet. A pastor can potentially prophesy, but he remains a pastor.

However from the Church at Antioch and the Church of Corinth we see that a typical new testament assembly had several prophets.

1 Corinthians 14:29-31 (KJV)
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Acts 13:1 (KJV)
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

From the order in Corinth, you find that prophets were to stand as two or three, such that when one is speaking the other is witnessing and judging. If the one who is judging receives something, the first one should keep quiet. This alone reflects a huge difference from the old testament prophet. The New Testament prophet is accountable to other prophets in addition to his accountability to the apostles.

WHO ARE THE PROPHETS IN EPHESIANS 2:20

Ephesians 2:19-20 (NET)
19 So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

 20 because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

This scripture is making reference to the Old Testament prophets. Paul is telling the Gentiles that they are now part of God’s household, and are now joined together to the saints. Open your Bible and you will see two sections. The Old Testament, which is the testimony of the prophets, and the New Testament which was written from the testimony of the apostles.

These two form the foundation in this way. The prophets testified of the Christ to come, and their lives served as types and shadows of the coming Christ, then the apostles witnessed and testified that the words of the prophets had been fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. In this way the words of the prophets and the apostles make a foundation.

Let me give scriptures that show this in action

PETER

Acts 3:18 (NET) 
But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets – that his Christ would suffer – he has fulfilled in this way.

The prophets foretold the death of Christ, Now the apostles testify of its fulfilment.

Acts 10:43 (NET)
About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 15:14-16 (NET)
14 Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name.

 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written,

 16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,

PAUL

Acts 26:22 (NET)
I have experienced help from God to this day, and so I stand testifying to both small and great, saying nothing except what the prophets and Moses said was going to happen:

Now, there are more direct scriptures that show that it is the Old Testament Prophets being referred to.

Romans 1:1-2 (NET)
1 From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

 2 This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

You see how the apostles are entrusted with the gospel and how the prophets promised it long ago. So together they make a foundation.

Listen to Peter.

2 Peter 3:2 (WEB) 
that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:

So The Old Testament Prophets are being referred to here.

IF EVERYONE CAN HEAR GOD THEN WHY DO WE STILL NEED PROPHETS?
Hearing God and Prophesying are not the same words. You can hear God in many ways. For example, through the scriptures, through deep conviction in your heart, through the unction of the Spirit, through dreams, through prophecy, through open visions. Etc.

Every born again christian must hear God primarily through the inner witness.

Romans 8:15-16 (NET)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”

 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.

1 John 2:27 (WEB)
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.

However.

Scripture says we know in part and prophesy in part.

1 Corinthians 13:9
(WEB)  For we know in part and we prophesy in part;

What this means is that you will always need fellowship. You can prophesy yes, but only in part. There are things that God will reveal about you to others.

For example, the Lord may minister to me that I must go to preach in South Africa. He may do this via an inner unction or a strong conviction in my spirit. But that is all I get. Now consider that I am in the flesh and also have many strong fleshy desires. I begin to doubt whether its just me or God leading me.

A prophet then comes and says, “God is telling you to leave your Job and go to South Africa. He says do not worry about your finances, he will take care of you. He says if you focus on his work, he will make sure to feed you and your family.”

This gives me edification and encouragement. The prophet will get a more elaborate message on the issue. In the mouth of two or more witnesses, a matter is established. That is how fellowship works.

All people in the fivefold ministry receive Revelation in one form or another.

Teachers receive Revelation
Prophets receive revelation
Evangelist receive Revelation

But each receives according to their ministry. A teacher will receive certain types of revelation that a prophet will not and a prophet will receive certain type of revelation that a teacher will not. However, an apostle will receive all types of revelation. This is why the apostles lay doctrine.

AMEN