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The Characteristics of True Prophets

True prophets are authorized spokesmen for God who accurately relate past events, speak to present needs, and offer precise future predictions through divine inspiration. They are commissioned by God and demonstrate consistency by not contradicting previous prophecies or God's will. True prophets communicate God's message completely and offer correction. While facing persecution, threats, mistreatment, and even death, they courageously fulfill their duty to preach God's word.

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2K views12 pages

The Characteristics of True Prophets

True prophets are authorized spokesmen for God who accurately relate past events, speak to present needs, and offer precise future predictions through divine inspiration. They are commissioned by God and demonstrate consistency by not contradicting previous prophecies or God's will. True prophets communicate God's message completely and offer correction. While facing persecution, threats, mistreatment, and even death, they courageously fulfill their duty to preach God's word.

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empleorijanemae
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Characteristics of True

Prophets
Biblical Definition of a Prophet
• The Greek noun prophētēs, occurring 144x in the
NT, a compound of pro [before] and phēmi [to
declare, say], refers to “a prophet (an interpreter or
forth-teller of the divine will)” [Thomas 4396].
• Louw & Nida define it as “one who proclaims
inspired utterances on behalf of God” [53.79].
Biblical Definition of a Prophet

• The Hebrew word nabi, occurring 314x in the OT,


refers to a “a spokesman, speaker, prophet” [Thomas
5030].
• According to the TWOT, “the essential idea in the
word is that of authorized spokesman” [Harris, p. 544].
Biblical Definition of Prophecy

• The Greek verb prophēteuō, occurring 28x in the


NT, means “to foretell, tell forth, prophesy”
[Thomas 4395].
• It means “(1) to proclaim an inspired revelation,
prophesy; (2) to tell about something that is hidden
from view, tell, reveal; (3) to foretell something
that lies in the future, foretell, prophesy.”
Identification of True Prophets

• They served as God’s mouthpiece, spokesman


(Exod. 4:10-16; 6:28-7:2; Jer. 1:9-10).
• They were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Sam.
23:1-2; 1 Chron. 28:11-19; Neh. 9:26-31; 2 Pet.
1:19-21).
Identification of True Prophets

• They accurately related the past, spoke to the


needs of the present, and offered precise
predictions of the future (Isa. 41:21-29; 42:5-9;
43:8-13).
• They communicated God’s will by various means
and measures (Num. 12:1-8; Joel 2:28-29; Matt.
17:1-8; Heb. 1:1-4).
Characteristics of True Prophets

• Commission (2 Sam. 7:1-7; Jer. 1:4-10; Ezek. 1:1-3)


• Consistency (Deut. 13:1-5; 18:20-22; Isa. 8:19-20)
• Completeness (Jer. 1:17-19; 26:1-6; 42:4-6)
• Corrective (Jer. 1:9-10; 25:4-7; 44:4-6)
• Courageous (Ezek. 2:1-7; 3:4-11; Mic. 3:5-8)
Cost & Consequences
• Persecuted
• Threatened
• Mistreated
• Beaten
• Arrested
• Imprisoned
• Killed
Conclusion
• Like the prophets of old, we must be willing to endure affliction
(Heb. 11:32-40; James 5:10-11).
• As was the case with King Ahab (1 Kings 22:1-40), and the
Israelites of old (Isa. 30:9-17), many today want a soft, smooth,
self-serving message;
• Yet, true disciples will study to show themselves approved unto
God (2 Tim. 2:15), and will faithfully preach the word, reproving,
rebuking, exhorting, with patience and instruction (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

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