Exploring the role of a prophet in the modern era
To explore the continuity of prophets throughout history, we can identify two key transitions: first, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, and second, from the time of Jesus to the present day. In this QuickBite, we’ll focus on the first transition, examining the role of prophets as they moved into the New Testament era. In the next session, we’ll delve into the Biblical foundation for the ongoing role of prophets today and what that looks like in practice.
Prophets in the Early Church
Numerous scriptures leave us in little doubt of the presence and operation of prophets within the time of the early church. One notable figure is Agabus, a prophet who is mentioned twice. In Acts 11:28, Agabus predicted a great famine that would sweep across the Roman world, a prophecy which the church acted upon by sending relief to the affected regions. Later, in Acts 21:10-11, Agabus prophesied again about the future, this time of Paul’s impending arrest in Jerusalem, vividly demonstrating the role of prophets used to prepare and guide the early church.
The Council in Jerusalem, as described in Acts 15, highlights the role of prophets in guiding the church through theological and practical decisions. Prophets such as Judas and Silas were present to encourage and strengthen the church with their prophetic discernment and wisdom, helping to shape the early church’s direction on key issues like the inclusion of Gentiles. Furthermore, Acts 15:32 mentions Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas, described as prophets who encouraged and strengthened the believers with many words.
Philip’s daughters are mentioned in Acts 21:9 as women who prophesied, providing further evidence of the active role of prophets in the life of the early church, this time including the participation of women.
The Commissioning of Apostles
The commissioning of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:1-3 highlights the integral role of prophets in recognising and affirming apostolic ministry. In this passage, the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and teachers, directing them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for their missionary work. This moment underscores the collaborative nature of prophetic and teaching ministries in commissioning apostles, as well as the Spirit’s guidance in affirming divine assignments. This is significant. Among the fivefold ministries, it is prophets and teachers whose roles most embody the Word. Prophets represent God speaking, bringing divine revelation, wisdom and Kairos declarations, while teachers focus on the exposition, defence, and application of the Scriptures. These two ministries contend for the integrity of God’s Word, ensuring its truth remains central to the life and mission of the Church.
Of course, this is a broad categorisation, and in practice, the roles and anointings often overlap. A pastor, for example, may operate under a prophetic anointing within their leadership, or a teacher may receive revelatory insight akin to a prophet. Similarly, we encounter apostolic prophets, prophetic apostles, and prophetic evangelists, among other combinations. The interplay of these gifts enriches the Church. However, for the sake of clarity, we are simplifying the roles in this discussion to identify what makes them uniquely identifiable and foundational within their distinct expressions.
This pattern of the prophetic commissioning the apostolic is evident in both the Old and New Testament. Don’t misunderstand me on this, I’m not advocating this as an absolute, but I do intend to closer align our understanding of the fivefold ministries with the Biblical blueprint, and especially that of the apostolic/prophetic partnership. I realise what I’m sharing may challenge some views, but in all things, let us adopt the Berean approach (Acts 17:11) and diligently search the scriptures to see if these things are so.
In the Beginning was the Word
The principle of God initiating His work through His Word is foundational to understanding this dynamic. From the moment God declared, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and brought the visible world into being, to John’s profound statement, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1-2 NKJV), we see that everything God does is initiated and activated through His Word. Prophets, as carriers of His Word, are therefore uniquely positioned to commission apostles, serving as vessels through whom God speaks and directs His purposes.
This principle is exemplified in the ministry of Jesus, who is both the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22). Jesus called His disciples to be with Him so that He might send them out as apostles (Mark 3:14). These first-generation apostles, commissioned directly by the Word Himself, were a foundational part of the early church.
Prophetic Reset
The second generation of apostles, including Paul, illustrates the continued role of prophets and teachers in commissioning. Notably, Paul was not commissioned by the first-generation apostles but rather through the ministry of prophets and teachers in Acts 13:1-3. The Holy Spirit spoke through these individuals, directing them to set apart Barnabas and Paul for their missionary work. This marked the public affirmation of Paul’s apostolic ministry, though it was not the beginning of his mission. By this point, Paul had already been active in ministry for fourteen years (Galatians 2:1) and had undergone a transformative three-year period in the wilderness of Arabia (Galatians 1:17-18). During this time, Paul received direct revelation and instruction from Jesus Christ—the Word Himself—rather than through human intermediaries. This period of solitude served as a kind of prophetic reset, grounding Paul’s ministry in the revelation of the Word and prophetic activation.
This pattern reinforces the centrality of the Word in both prophetic and apostolic ministries. Prophets, as those who “speak forth”, and apostles, as “sent ones” carrying out God’s mission upon the earth, operate in tandem to ensure the church remains aligned with God’s heart and purpose. Understanding the dual nature of this partnership and the distinction or roles between the apostle and prophet provides us with a useful framework to work within. For example:
“(28) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV
As Paul asserts here, God appointed apostles first, which at first glance might appear to create a hierarchy or sequence of importance, but that is not the case at all. In fact the context of this passage of scripture is about the unity and diversity within body, in which Paul upholds each part is made honourable before the Lord. Each member of the body is special, each has honour, each has a God-given part to play that brings completion and well-being. This sequence then is about role and responsibility, in which apostles are entrusted with serving the church with their apostolic covering and Christ-like example. However, it should also be noted, this appointment is to the church and not to the prophet’s counsel before the Lord. Likewise, the prophet is not called to assume apostolic covering for the church. The two must work together, respecting each other’s role and space within the economy of God, whether that’s to the church on the ground, or the counsel of the Lord in the Heavens.
This apostolic/prophetic partnership is not easily negotiated and calls for great humility and purity of heart. Any lingering shadows within the unregenerate heart or mind will surface sooner or later and potentially cause much harm. It calls for much grace and love to serve within either of these capacities and a lifestyle of surrender, as articulated by John the Baptist who confessed, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). When this apostolic/prophetic partnership is healthy and operating according to Heaven’s blueprint it will breathe life into the body and nurture a fluid church culture that is able to respond to the winds of the Spirit. Only then can a firm foundation be truly laid upon which the rest of the church can grow strong.
What then of the Old Testament? Do we see prophetic commissioning before the church era? Certainly. Samuel anointed both Saul (1 Samuel 9:15-10:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:1-13) as kings of Israel, demonstrating the role of prophets in affirming God’s chosen leaders. Additionally, the prophet Nathan and Zadok the priest anointed King Solomon (1 Kings 1:32-40), highlighting the collaborative role of prophets and priests in confirming divine appointments.
Perhaps the most significant example is the transition between Moses and Joshua:
“And the LORD said to Moses: ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.’” (Numbers 27:18-20 NKJV)
