Do We Have Prophets in the New Testament?
1) Direct answer
Yes. The New Testament has prophets, and God still sets prophets in the Church today. They do not add new Scripture, but they call God’s people back to the written Word, reveal what is hidden, warn, and edify the Body.
2) Scriptural explanation
- God placed prophets in the Church: “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets…” (1 Corinthians 12:28). “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets… for the perfecting of the saints… till we all come… unto a perfect man” (Ephesians 4:11-13). We have not yet arrived at that global perfection, so the ministry remains.
- New Testament examples: Prophets and teachers in Antioch (Acts 13:1). Agabus who foretold famine and Paul’s bonds (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11). Judas and Silas, “being prophets also themselves” (Acts 15:32). Philip’s four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9).
- Order and testing: “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29). “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). The standard is the Word: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). If a thing is spoken in the Name of the Lord and does not come to pass, don’t fear it (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
- End-time promise: “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things” (Matthew 17:11; see Malachi 4:5-6). That points to a prophetic ministry before the great and dreadful day of the Lord—a restoring call back to the original Word, not the writing of a new Bible. Revelation 10:7 shows that in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be finished—again, not adding Scripture, but bringing to light what God already gave.
3) Simple clarifying logic
- If Jesus “gave” prophets for the Church “till we all come” to full maturity, then prophets continue until that purpose is fulfilled.
- The same Holy Spirit who inspired prophecy in Acts has not changed. Therefore the gifts and offices He set remain, with the same Bible standard of judgment.
- True prophecy never contradicts Scripture, never leads to sin or pride, and always exalts Jesus Christ and holiness. False prophecy fails the Word test, the fruit test, and the fulfillment test.
4) Reinforcing statement
Now notice, the Bible does not tell us to reject prophecy; it tells us not to despise it, but to judge it by the Word. A true New Testament prophet will point the Bride back to the written Word, reveal the secrets of the heart, and prepare a people for the coming of the Lord.
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Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
God's chosen place of worship
65-0220 §50
John, way back yonder at the tie between the New and Old Testament (listen close now; notice closely), John, that great eagle, come flying from the wilderness one day, his great wings spread. He lit down on the bank of the Jordan---a great eagle prophet that bridged the way between the Old and New Testament---and He called them from right and left. He was calling a day of repentance. There come the Pharisees and Sadducees out, he said, "Don't begin to say within yourself, 'We have Abraham to our father,' because I...
Hebrews, Chapter 1
57-0821 §32
He said, "That's the reason God could say before Esau or Jacob was either born... He said, 'I love one and hate the other one.'" Before either boy was born, God knew that Esau was a shyster, and He knew that Jacob was a ... he loved his birthright. So He knew before the world ever was formed, about it. Now, we're going to find out in a minute who that was that knew it. This chapter's got it. GOD, ... in sundry times and in divers manners spoke ... to the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto...
We have found Him
54-0825 §9
This is the Word to the nations. But God has set in the church prophets, apostles, teachers, evangelists, gifts, and so forth, for the edifying of the body. Maybe there'd be something individual with your life that you'd need just a little lift to do something; God has gifts in the church to do that. Some of them are great speakers who can reveal the Bible with great forceful speaking. That's one way. Another thing He has is the prophets in the Scripture, who can interpret the meaning of this person: a seer who see...
The Voice of the Sign
64-0214 §60
Paul---he had a sign. Let's watch him. Do you believe Paul was a prophet? Certainly was. Now notice. Paul came on the scene and saw a sign. What kind of a sign did he see? A pillar of fire, on his road to Damascus, being a Jew. Jesus had been (died) crucified; rose, ascended into heaven. And Paul was on his road down to Damascus, when a great light struck him down. And he cried, "Lord, who are You?" He said, "I'm Jesus." And he was told that he was called to be a chosen vessel. A chosen vessel. Now notice. What did...
Sir, we would see Jesus
62-0724 §58
Now in Deuteronomy, the 18th chapter, Moses, who gave the law to Israel, he told them about the end time, and he said, "The Lord your God shall raise up among you of your brethren a prophet like me. It shall come to pass that whosoever will not hear that prophet will be cut off from the people." Now that ... then we know that he was speaking of the Messiah, 'cause all down through, they even asked John, "Art thou that prophet? Art thou that prophet?" They kept saying, "Art thou that prophet?" see, 'cause they knowe...