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Lesson 4, New Testament Prophets, starts with a simple picture. A father and his son compare two cars, and although many features have changed over the years, the engines are the same. In the same way, the prophets of the Old and New Testaments share a consistent message because the Holy Spirit who inspires them has not changed. Sunday begins with Jesus Himself as the prophet Moses promised. Monday explains how apostles and prophets worked side by side, and Tuesday shows what New Testament prophets actually did in the church. The second half of the week widens the circle. Wednesday meets the women prophets of the New Testament and the young leaders whom Paul mentored. Thursday warns again about false prophets, who now appear as wolves in sheep's clothing, and Friday turns to Ellen White, whose ministry kept pointing readers to Jesus and to the Bible. If last week showed us what prophets were like, this week shows us what prophets were for: to lead people to Christ, to build up His church, and to keep every believer anchored in His Word. Jesus as Prophet Moses promised that God would raise up a prophet like himself (Deut. 18:15), and the New Testament identifies that Prophet as Jesus (Acts 3:22; John 6:14). On the road to Emmaus, He showed two discouraged disciples that all of the Scriptures pointed to Him. But Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the Word of John 1, the Creator, and it was His voice that said, "Let there be light." That also means the Creator is the One who died on the cross for our sins. Prophetic words are a light shining in a dark place until the Morning Star rises (2 Pet. 1:19). Apostles and Prophets The word apostle means one sent forth. In the Gospels it points to the twelve, but the New Testament uses it of others too, including Paul, who defended his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles. God chose apostles and prophets by His own will, not by family descent as with the priests. Both received revelation, and Paul says the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20; 3:5). Not every prophet was an apostle, and the gift of prophecy was never limited to the twelve. Because the apostles' message centers on Christ's life, death, resurrection, ministry, and return, the Bible has to remain our final authority on what we believe about Him. Functions of New Testament Prophets Prophecy appears in Paul's lists of spiritual gifts and of the roles in the body of Christ, right after apostles. Its purpose, he says, is to build up, encourage, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). Prophets help equip believers for ministry and build up the body until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:11-13). Judas and Silas were prophets who strengthened the believers with many words (Acts 15:32). Prophets sometimes gave sharp warnings, but they were just as often a comfort to people in persecution. Revelation 22:6 reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of the holy prophets, and His words are faithful and true. Female Prophets and Young Pastoral Associates God called women as messengers in the Old Testament, and the same is true in the New. Anna, a prophetess, served in the temple with fasting and prayer and spoke about the Child to all who looked for redemption (Luke 2:36-38). Philip's four daughters prophesied (Acts 21:9), though their words were not included in the Bible, which shows that not every prophet's words became Scripture. The apostles also mentored younger leaders. Paul called Timothy his true son in the faith and urged him not to let anyone look down on his youth (1 Tim. 4:12), and he gave Titus real responsibility in Crete and encouraged him to speak with authority (Titus 2:15). God still uses those who are willing, whatever their age. False Prophets in the New Testament Jesus warned that false christs and false prophets would work great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:23, 24). That means miracles alone cannot prove that something is from God. False prophets come looking harmless, like wolves in sheep's clothing, and Jesus says we will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20). John urges us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Our protection is not suspicion but a living faith: putting on the armor of God, praying in the Spirit, and staying grounded in the Word (Eph. 6:10-18). Keeping Jesus and His Word at the Center Prophets exist to help people know God and keep a faithful relationship with Him. Ellen White's ministry had two constant themes: leading people to Jesus and pointing them to the Bible. She wrote, "Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness -- all depend upon our union with Christ" (Steps to Christ, p. 69). She described her own writings as a lesser light pointing to the greater light, the Bible (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 29), and urged her readers to take the Word of God as the rule of faith and practice (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 30). She also taught that any prophetic teaching must agree with what Christ taught (The Desire of Ages, p. 826). Christ Connection Every prophet in this lesson points to Jesus, and Jesus is the Prophet to whom they all point. He is the Word who was in the beginning, the Messiah of the Old Testament, the cornerstone of the church, and the Lord of the holy prophets. The test of any prophetic voice is simple: does it lead us to Christ, and does it agree with His Word? Reflection and Application 1. Jesus the Creator is also the One who died for you. What does that say about how much God loves you? 2. Why does the Bible have to stay our final authority, even as we value the gift of prophecy? 3. Prophecy exists to build up, encourage, and comfort. How can we do the same for one another in our church this week? 4. Anna, Philip's daughters, Timothy, and Titus all served in different ways. What is your role in God's work, and how could you do more? 5. Signs and wonders alone do not prove that a message is from God. What can you do to arm yourself against the deceptions of our world? ✨ In essence: "New Testament Prophets" shows that the same Spirit who inspired the prophets of old continues to give gifts to the church, always to build up believers and always to point to Jesus. The measure of every voice is the Word of God, and the center of every true prophetic message is Christ.