Prophets within the Christian Congregation

After the exodus from Egypt, Moses was feeling the heavy burden of having to lead an entire nation of people by himself. Jehovah God instructed Moses to select seventy older men to help him shoulder the load. The seventy were brought before the tent of meeting where God’s spirit came down upon them and “they proceeded to act as prophets”, but this ecstatic prophesying was just a one time event to affirm that God had indeed anointed them and his spirit was upon them. The account states, “they did not do it again.” (Numbers 11:24,25)

However there were two men, Eldad and Medad, who were numbered among the seventy that had not gone to the tent but had stayed in the camp. God’s spirit came to rest upon them as well and they proceeded to act as prophets within the camp. This caused quite a stir because it was viewed as a possible affront to Moses’ leadership. Certain young men ran to report to Moses how Eldad and Medad were acting as prophets. Joshua urged Moses to restrain them.

Moses’ response shows the depth of his humility. He asks Joshua, “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

Throughout the Old Testament prophets are found. In many accounts they appear in groups or are collectively spoken of as “the prophets”. (1 Sam 10:5; 2 Kings 4:38) Certain prophets who Jehovah’s spirit was upon in extraordinary ways are specifically mentioned and distinguished from the general company of the prophet such as Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and his companion Elisha. Later prophets wrote their messages directly down such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Often times when we hear prophecy or prophet we have the tendency to think of a prediction about a future event. However in the Bible prophecy was more general in that it encompassed whenever God spoke to a human whether about a contemporary or future event. God used these prophets in various ways for the benefit of the nation.

The prophets therefore were the voice to God among the people. Sometimes their word was sought when the nation was facing a decision and they needed God’s say on the matter. (1 Kings 22:5,6) At other times they were used to deliver reproof when the nation or a leader was in error. (2 Samuel 12:1-12) On occasion they gave foreknowledge of future events such as the coming of the Messiah.

The prophets were instrumental in the compiling and writing of the Holy Scriptures. Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, and Nathan composed historical books. Many of David’s psalms speak prophetically about the coming Messiah. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others wrote their prophetic messages down in the books that today bear their name. In a general sense all who penned down the Scriptures can be spoken of as prophets since all the entire Holy Word was formed under Divine inspiration. (2 Timothy 3:16)


With the advent of the Christian congregation in 33 CE, Moses’ desire that Jehovah’s Holy Spirit touch all of God’s people was realised. Holy spirit was poured out upon a group of congregated believers in a wonderful way. This was in fulfillment of another prophecy spoken by Joel where God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28)

Unlike the former days where the prophets were limited to a group or individuals within the nation, the entire Christian congregation was spirit anointed and able to prophecy, to receive and speak the word of God. Even the young women were gifted in this regard as was true with Philip’s four daughters. (Acts 21:9) Paul also acknowledged the role that women played in prophesying in the congregation of Christ. (1 Cor 11:5)

While the Holy Spirit imparted gifts to all believers not all had the same gift and not all acted as prophets. (1 Cor 12:29). Yet the gift of prophecy was not off limit to the entire congregation for Paul encouraged them to “keep zealously seeking the greater gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). In seeking these greater gifts Paul preferred that all in the congregation would be able to prophecy because of the upbuilding effect that it had on the assembled body. (1 Cor 14:1,4)

How were the Christian congregations to view those who prophesied? Paul instructed the congregation of the Thessalonians to, “not treat prophesying with contempt” (1 Thess 4:20). Prophets were to be listened to attentively so that those assembled could “discern the meaning” of what they spoke (1 Cor 14:29) Prophecy encouraged the congregation; therefore, those who were gifted with prophecy needed to use that gift to for the benefit of the body of Christ. (1 Cor 14:31; Romans 12:4-6)

While prophesying is not to be held in contempt the congregation needed to exercise caution because Jesus said, “that many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” (Matthew 24:11) The apostle John confirmed that this becoming true within the Christian congregation. He wrote, “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

The congregation then is implored to not accept every prophecy but to test them to see if it is indeed a word from God. In a vision, Jesus commended the congregation of Ephesus for putting to test those who made claim to be apostles. (Rev 2:2) Similar judgment needed to be used in evaluating prophetic utterances. The discernment of spirits then is a necessary and beneficial gift to the congregation. (1 Cor 12:10)

As with many aspects of the Christian life, prophecy then is a gift that is to be exercised within the context of the Christian congregation. While some may wish to pattern themselves after the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel to do so is to ignore the fact that God’s spirit now operates corporately within a body of believers. Those with gifts such as prophecy are not meant to dominate over other Christians. Paul instructs them to yield and keep silent if a revelation is given to another during their prophesying. (1 Cor 14:30) The hearers of such an inspired expression are meant to evaluate it and test it out. (1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1)

We need to keep in mind that even those with a powerful gift of prophecy are nothing if they do not manifest love. (1 Cor 13:2) Having love causes us to know that our various gifts are provided for the “building up of the body of Christ”. (Ephesians 4:11,12) Love would prevent someone with a spiritual gifting not fall into the trap of becoming puffed up or self-centered in their attitude. (1 Cor 13:4,5)