Do prophet's exist here on earth? How do I know if someone claims to be a real prophet of God? And are their apostles here on earth?

[BibleStudent100]

13 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Yes, these spiritual gifts were at that time still present. When the apostles died, and when those who had received the miraculous gifts through them passed from the earthly scene, the supernatural gifts of the spirit, including speaking in tongues, ceased.
 

[Neighbor]

I do like the presentation made by W.A. Criswell Ph.D. titled " The Scarlet Thread Of Redemption" in which he opens by declaring; "The bible is a book of redemption. It is that or nothing at all. It is not a book of history, science, anthropology, or cosmology It is a book of  salvation and deliverance for lost mankind"....

The Bible does not attempt to encompass all that is to be known about all things. That said I use my own copy in KJV English of  the Criswell Study Bible for my own study in most all that I do in life. Should be all perhaps, but honestly I fail as I am weak. I need ask daily in conversation with God, my Lord Yeshua "is it good between you and me?" How might I change, is there need in me to be doing something or something differently?  And lo and behold yep there is, way too often perhaps. Yet God is so merciful He does turn me about.

 

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

In the book of Acts, there are references to living prophets who played significant roles in the early Christian community. Let’s explore a couple of them:

1. Agabus: Agabus appears twice in the book of Acts. In Acts 11:27-28, he prophesied about an upcoming famine, warning the believers in Antioch. By the Spirit’s enabling, Agabus foretold that there would be a great famine throughout the world, which indeed happened during the days of Claudius Caesar. As a result, the Antioch believers sent relief to their brethren in Judea. In Acts 21:10-11, Agabus prophesied about the terrible things that would happen to the apostle Paul if he proceeded to Jerusalem. Despite this warning, Paul remained steadfast in his commitment to the Lord Jesus. Agabus’ appearances highlight how the Holy Spirit reveals the future to prophets and how believers respond to His messages¹.

2. Other Prophets: Acts 13:1 mentions prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. Among them were Barnabas, Simeon (also known as “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), and Manaen (a childhood companion of King Herod Antipas). These prophets played essential roles in the early Christian community, testifying to the work of the Holy Spirit and bearing witness to Christ and God’s salvation through Him².

These references demonstrate the Holy Spirit’s active role in guiding and equipping the early believers through prophets. Their prophecies helped shape the course of events and fostered unity among the followers of Jesus. If you have any more questions or need further information, feel free to ask! 😊[Copilot]

 

In the book of Acts, we encounter Philip, one of the early Christian leaders. Philip had settled in Caesarea for about twenty years, and during this time, he had four daughters. Luke, the author of Acts, describes these young women simply as “four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). Let’s explore why these details are significant:

1. Prophetic Ministry: The fact that Philip’s daughters were prophetesses highlights the active role of spiritual gifts, including prophecy, within the local church. These women delivered messages inspired by God, even though their prophecies did not become part of the New Testament canon¹.

2. Devotion to the Lord: Some scholars suggest that these daughters may have chosen to remain unmarried in order to be fully devoted to the Lord and ministry. The apostle Paul also encouraged singleness for those who could handle it, emphasizing that unmarried individuals could focus more on serving God without the responsibilities of family life (1 Corinthians 7:8, 34)².

3. Living with Philip: Their single status explains why they were still living with their father, Philip, instead of with their husbands. In those days, it was common for children to continue living with their parents until they married or established their own households¹.

4. Luke’s Detailed Reporting: Luke provides detailed accounts of the sea journey to Caesarea, emphasizing the events at the end of the journey. He even includes himself in the narrative by using the pronoun “we,” suggesting that he was one of the passengers¹.

In summary, Philip’s daughters serve as a reminder of the diverse roles and gifts within the early Christian community. Their prophetic ministry and commitment to the Lord demonstrate the vibrant spiritual life of the early believers. If you have any more questions or need further information, feel free to ask! 😊³⁴ [Copilot]

These are good points and thought-provoking. I should have explained my thoughts better. Let us explore them a bit further.

I stated, “For a short time, the Apostles replaced the prophets in that capacity.” Perhaps I should have included some of the disciples you mentioned with the apostles.

“Except for Jesus Himself (Son of God and Prophet), the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, was the last (OT) prophet.” I neglected to insert OT before prophet. 

1. The New Testament Counterparts to Old Testament Prophets Are New Testament Apostles: In the New Testament, apostles are the counterparts to Old Testament prophets. While prophets had divine authority to speak God's words, apostles in the New Testament were responsible for recording God's words in Scripture. Apostles established their authority by referring to themselves as apostles, not prophets.¹

¹ Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine

AG´ABUS (agʹa-bus). A prophet, supposed to have been one of the seventy disciples of Christ.^[1]

In the early church, prophets played a foundational role in delivering messages from God before the completion of the Bible. Today, while some individuals may claim to be prophets, the biblical gift of prophecy is not believed to be active. The key is to compare any supposed messages from God with what is already stated in the Bible, as God does not contradict Himself. The importance lies in testing these messages against the Word of God to discern their validity. The completion of the Bible is seen as the final revelation from God, and any modern-day messages claiming to be from Him should align completely with the teachings of the Bible. Testing the spirits and holding onto what aligns with the Bible is emphasized in discerning true prophecy.¹

¹ Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered

I am not stating that there are no modern-day prophets; I am questioning them and being cautious. If there are, they are not announced and declared by God. We could only know they are prophets by comparing what they say with scripture, our closed Canon.

I think some individuals sometimes get a special revelation from God, and it comes about. Short of vetting it against the Bible, how are we supposed to know? Today, there are many self-proclaimed prophets. 

Can you name someone you suspect was, or is, a prophet after the apostolic age, other than Catholic Popes, as the infallible Vicar of Christ?

 

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^[1] Unger, Merrill Frederick, et al. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Rev. and updated ed., Moody Press, 1988.

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, BibleStudent100 said:

According to Moses, there are three essentials for establishing the credentials of a true prophet:  

*Prophet speaks in God's name

*Thing foretold would come to pass

*The prophesying must promote true worship

(See De 18:20-22 & De 13:1-4)

Even if the above were to pass, why would there be a need for any new prophets in these Last Days?  Everything we need to know is sufficient information to know as the Bible is complete.  So the question is, is this fellow a true prophet?  Be very wary...

Short of being long-winded, that is what I am alluding to. 

[Dennis1209]

32 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

"The bible is a book of redemption. It is that or nothing at all. It is not a book of history, science, anthropology, or cosmology It is a book of  salvation and deliverance for lost mankind"....

I totally agree. The Bible is a love story centered on the person of Jesus Christ and why we need a Savior. However, the Bible details many aspects of history, anthropology, cosmology, and science for our understanding. 

[Logostician]

I am going to go on a short tangent of what a prophet is, and what it entails.

Prophesy is a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor 12).  A prophet is one who has this gift, and shares the wisdom of God as the Spirit moves him, in a way that is understood by his listeners.  The wisdom of God is not limited to foretelling future events, which is how the world perceives the idea of prophesy.  Most true prophesy today deals with us, and our relationship with God today and forever, in all of its aspects.

The gift of prophesy is greater than the gift of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

If prophecy were merely the telling of future events, particularly end times events, we would have no need for prophecy or prophets.  We have already been given these prophesies.  And anyone who would seek to alter them, would not be held blameless by God.

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Prophets today interpret the events today in the context of the past, present, and future that God has already foretold.

With that said, was this man you met a prophet?  I don't know.  But if he loved God, and Jesus was, and is his Lord, then he is a son of God.  And it doesn't get better than that.  And it's forever.  And so is the love of God.

The Spiritual gifts will someday be unnecessary.  We will see Jesus face to face.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Jesus is the perfection to come in his fullness of power.

 

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, BibleStudent100 said:

Yes, these spiritual gifts were at that time still present. When the apostles died, and when those who had received the miraculous gifts through them passed from the earthly scene, the supernatural gifts of the spirit, including speaking in tongues, ceased.
 

That is my take. Acts 2:8 alludes to the purpose of the gift of tongues, which was to communicate and spread the Gospel message in the listener's language. It ceased with the last apostle, John. As the Jews always required a sign as proof, miracles were performed as a sign, which stopped at the end of the apostolic age.

From that point forward, after the establishment of the churches, there were no gifts of tongues, as evidenced by all the early so-called church fathers such as Polycarp (a friend and disciple of the apostle John), Irenaeus, etc.

Missionaries and evangelists spreading the Good News must study, learn, and translate the native language to communicate it to them.

[RdJ]

8 hours ago, Kristina said:

I'm asking these questions as about seven or eight years ago, a man came to me claiming he was a prophet sent from God and I received a foot washing and almost immediately was given the gift of speaking in tongues. Was this man really a prophet of God...

Could be. No idea. I don't like it when they call themselves prophet or apostle or bishop, but it doesn't mean it was not a prophet. Calling themselves evangelist doesn't irritate me by the way. So many weirdo's are prophets, apostles and bishops these days. Someone can have the gift of prophecy and the prophecy doesn't always have to be perfect. Prophesies need to get tested. Or it can be an office, like pastor and apostle. For instance David Wilkerson, I think that was a prophet.

Edited May 6, 2024 by RdJ

[Dennis1209]

59 minutes ago, Logostician said:

I am going to go on a short tangent of what a prophet is, and what it entails.

Prophesy is a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor 12).  A prophet is one who has this gift, and shares the wisdom of God as the Spirit moves him, in a way that is understood by his listeners.  The wisdom of God is not limited to foretelling future events, which is how the world perceives the idea of prophesy.  Most true prophesy today deals with us, and our relationship with God today and forever, in all of its aspects.

The gift of prophesy is greater than the gift of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

If prophecy were merely the telling of future events, particularly end times events, we would have no need for prophecy or prophets.  We have already been given these prophesies.  And anyone who would seek to alter them, would not be held blameless by God.

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Prophets today interpret the events today in the context of the past, present, and future that God has already foretold.

With that said, was this man you met a prophet?  I don't know.  But if he loved God, and Jesus was, and is his Lord, then he is a son of God.  And it doesn't get better than that.  And it's forever.  And so is the love of God.

The Spiritual gifts will someday be unnecessary.  We will see Jesus face to face.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Jesus is the perfection to come in his fullness of power.

 

Well said, and that brings up another thought about the office of a prophet, as you suggest. David, Gad, Asaph, and many more (major and minor) were all prophets. Thus, sayeth the Lord and predicting the future are different attributes of the office of a prophet. King David had Seer’s he consulted with, such as Gad:

Gad: An Israelite seer (1 Chr 29:29) and prophet (1 Sam 22:5). He was a contemporary of King David, and was significant primarily for his influence in David’s life and decisions.^[1]

David was considered a prophet because the Lord anointed him and spoke through him. He was a covenant mediator prophet, with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. In the New Testament, Peter also referred to David as a prophet, highlighting his knowledge of God's promises and his prophetic words about Jesus. David's prophetic abilities were evident in his understanding of future events, such as the resurrection of Christ. This combination of faith and sight in foreseeing events not visible to the natural eye is a recurring theme in David's prophetic role.¹

1 Biblical Theology, Volume 2: The Special Grace Covenants (Old Testament)

My understanding is that David did not forecast the future. He fully understood what was given to him by the Lord and his seer.

 

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^[1] Petter, Gerald J. “Gad (Person).” The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, edited by David Noel Freedman, vol. 2, Doubleday, 1992, p. 865.

[Dennis1209]

40 minutes ago, RdJ said:

For instance David Wilkerson, I think that was a prophet.

I have heard that too.