The Bible has a lot to say about prophets, both before and after Jesus. After Jesus’ time on earth, the role of prophets didn’t disappear; it evolved. The New Testament talks about prophets as part of the church’s foundation, alongside apostles, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Prophets after Jesus are seen as those who continue to spread His message, guided by the Holy Spirit, to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the believers. They played a crucial role in the early Christian communities, delivering guidance, correction, and revelation to help the church grow and navigate challenges. This brief look suggests that, according to the Bible, prophecy didn’t end with Jesus but continued as an essential gift within the body of Christ, used for edification and guidance in alignment with God’s will.
Hungry for more details on what the Bible says about prophets after Jesus? Dive in as we explore the continuation of prophecy in the New Testament and how it shapes the understanding of spiritual gifts today.
What Does the Bible Say About Prophets After Jesus?
In the New Testament, the concept of prophecy and the role of prophets take on a new dimension following Jesus’ ascension. Unlike the Old Testament prophets who often foretold future events and called the people back to God, New Testament prophets focused on spreading the gospel, building up the church, and providing direct revelation from God to guide the early Christian communities.
The Apostles themselves, including Paul, Peter, and John, exhibited prophetic gifts, sharing revelations that were later included in the Bible. The New Testament also makes it clear that the gift of prophecy was not restricted to a select few. The Holy Spirit endowed various members of the church with the ability to prophesy, aiming to edify, exhort, and console the believers as the church grew and spread across different regions.
One of the key points about New Testament prophecy is its emphasis on testing the spirits and discerning the truth of prophetic messages. Believers were encouraged to weigh what was said against the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, ensuring that all prophecy was in line with God’s revealed word.
Moreover, the role of prophets in the New Testament era reflected God’s plan to build a church that was not confined to a single nation or people but was open to all through the message of Jesus Christ. Prophecy became a means through which the Holy Spirit communicated God’s guidance to the church, ensuring its growth and purity in doctrine and practice.
The inclusivity of the prophetic gift, as detailed in the writings of Paul, highlights the diversity within the body of Christ and the importance of each member’s contribution. The continuation of prophecy after Jesus underscores the dynamic and living nature of the church, guided by the Spirit to fulfill God’s mission on earth.
Bible Verses About Prophets After Jesus
- Acts 2:17-18 – “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.'” This passage, quoting the prophet Joel, emphasizes the widespread availability of the prophetic gift in the New Testament era, highlighting its importance for both genders and all ages.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 – “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.” Here, Paul outlines the purpose of prophecy in the New Testament church – not primarily to predict the future but to build up the body of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:11-12 – “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” This verse indicates the foundational roles that prophets played in the early church, alongside apostles and other leaders, in preparing believers for service and spiritual growth.
- 1 Corinthians 14:29 – “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.” Paul’s instruction for orderly worship includes a process for evaluating prophetic messages, ensuring that they align with God’s truth.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 – “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good.” This admonition from Paul encourages believers to be discerning about prophetic messages, embracing what is from God and rejecting what is not.
- Acts 21:10-11 – “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, ‘The Holy Spirit says, “In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”‘” Agabus represents a New Testament prophet whose message provided specific guidance and warning, showcasing the continuity of the prophetic gift.
- Revelation 1:3 – “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” John’s revelation, a prophetic book of the New Testament, underscores the ongoing relevance and urgency of prophetic insight for the church.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10 – “to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” This verse lists prophecy among the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit, highlighting its value and diversity within the church.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” Paul encourages believers to seek the gift of prophecy, emphasizing its significance in expressing God’s love and guidance to the church.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 – “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” This passage clarifies the divine origin of prophetic messages, distinguishing them from personal opinions or interpretations.
The Bible presents a clear and comprehensive view of prophets and prophecy after Jesus. These verses demonstrate that prophecy continued as a vital, Spirit-empowered gift intended to edify, encourage, and direct the church. Through this gift, God’s view and guidance were communicated to believers, helping them navigate the challenges of their time and grow in their faith. The prophetic ministry, as outlined in the New Testament, is an integral part of the church’s foundation, ensuring its alignment with God’s will and purposes.