5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Fifteen

OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT PROPHETS

A s we now know in the Old Testament there were three types of prophets, nabiy, raah, and chozeh and two types of prophets who were in process - man of God and sons of the prophet. One represented character and integrity, a systematic process of maturity and growth, and the other represented relationship and impartation. In 1 Kings 13, the “man of God” had his ministry abruptly and prematurely ended because he chose title over character. It is possible in the prophetic ministry to fall into criticism and negativism. This can be a sign of an un-mentored prophet. Those who are in a submi tt ed relationship to apostles, mature prophets, and elders will not fall into soulish criticism, and if they do there is a mentor to pull them out. In the New Testament much of the disciplinary actions carried out in Old Testament by prophets are now properly carried out by apostles and elders. There has been a lot of discussion about the di ff erence, if any, between the New Testament prophet and the Old Testament prophet. There are no di ff erences in light of the person and the power, however there are di ff erences in light of the application and the population of people which they serve. There is not so much di ff erence in possible function, or in level of power possible, but in practical application, including relationship with, and within, the fi ve-fold ministries and to the congregation of the Lord. The Old Testament had prophets, some were apostolic, also there were shepherds, and teachers. Even the closest example of an evangelist in the Old Testament, Jonah, was a prophet. In the Old Testament the word signifying apostles spoke of simple messengers, very hidden and not much delegated authority. When Jesus says in Luke 11:49, “Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute” He was most likely referring to 2 Chronicles 36:16. In this piece of scripture the word translated as messenger is the

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