Do we have prophets in the church today?

Quick answer

Old Testament prophets spoke God's messages, and New Testament prophets helped establish the early church, but now that Scripture is complete, their role is no longer the same. While there may not be prophets in the biblical sense today, God still calls bold truth-tellers to proclaim His Word.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Old Testament prophets spoke God’s messages, called people to repentance, and foretold future events, including the Messiah’s coming (Deuteronomy 18:18-19; Isaiah 7:14). Prophets also helped establish the early church, alongside apostles, as part of its foundation (Ephesians 2:20). But now that the Bible canon has been closed, there is no more need for prophets in the church today– at least not prophets in the same sense as the ones God called in the Old Testament. Any modern claim to prophecy must be in accordance with Scripture, as God’s revealed Word remains our ultimate authority. Though there may not be prophets in the same sense today as in the history of Israel and the early church, bold truth-tellers who call people to faithfulness are still needed.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

A prophet in the Old Testament was God's spokesperson, delivering His messages to the people, often calling them to repentance and obedience (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). Prophets also foretold future events, including judgments and the coming of the Messiah, as seen in Isaiah’s prophecies (Isaiah 7:14, 53:3-5). Their role required faithfulness to God's Word, with false prophets facing severe consequences for leading people astray (Jeremiah 23:16-17; Deuteronomy 18:20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Prophets served an important role in the Old Testament and in the early stages of the church. In the early church, God used both apostles (literally "sent out ones") and prophets as the foundation for the church's early growth (Ephesians 2:20). However, there is much confusion whether there are prophets in the church today. While many claim to be prophets, the real question is whether this is a practice God continues to use today.

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Some distinguish between the apostles and prophets of the New Testament period with the idea of apostles and prophets in a general sense today. This view holds that there are no apostles and prophets today similar to the New Testament period but that God continues to raise up leaders with the abilities to reach new areas for Christ (apostles) or serve as "truth tellers" (prophets) today. Though this may be true observationally, this does not really answer whether the role of prophet continues today as in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Though there do not appear to be prophets today as in the New Testament period, two concessions must be noted. First, it is still possible God can speak through people in whatever way He chooses to reveal certain information at certain times. This "revealed" information will not contradict what God has already revealed about Himself in the Bible. This type of "prophet" is distinct from biblical prophets. Second, "prophets" in the sense of those who speak truth to a sinful culture are still of great value. Though these individuals may not be prophets in the same sense as the New Testament prophets, the role of bold speakers of God's truth is greatly needed today.

UNDERSTAND

Prophets in the Old Testament spoke for God, calling people to repentance and obedience; prophets also foretold of what was to come, often judgment for disobedience.

New Testament prophets helped establish the church, but with Scripture complete, prophets as seen in the Old Testament and in the early stages of the church are no longer needed.

We need people who will speak biblical truth and point people to God, but they are not prophets like in the Old Testament or early church eras.

REFLECT

How do you respond when you hear someone claim to be a prophet today, and why is discernment and wisdom needed?

How can you be a bold truth-teller who points people to God’s Word?

How does knowing that Scripture is complete shape your understanding of how God speaks today?

ENGAGE

What does the Bible say about the role of prophets in the Old and New Testaments, and how does that compare to modern claims of prophecy?

How can we discern between someone who faithfully speaks biblical truth and someone who falsely claims to speak for God?

What role do truth-tellers play in calling the church and the world to faithfulness today?