As the apostle Peter stated on the day of Pentecost, prophecy was a result of God's Holy Spirit poured out (Acts 2:17–21; see Joel 2:28–32). The book of Acts mentions a few Christian prophets (Acts 11:27–28; 13:1; 15:32; 21:9–11; see also The Martyrdom of Polycarp 12:3; 16:2). One of these prophets was Agabus, who acted like an Old Testament prophet by performing symbolic acts (Acts 21:10–11; see 1 Kings 11:29–32; Isaiah 20:2–6; Jeremiah 13:1–11; Ezekiel 4:1–5:17). He also prophesied future events (Acts 11:28; 21:10–11).
Philip the Evangelist had four daughters "who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). The apostle Paul also recognized that some Christian women had this prophetic gift (1 Corinthians 11:5). In the Old Testament, most prophets were men, but some women were also prophets, like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14–20; 2 Chronicles 34:22–28). In the New Testament, both men and women, young and old, receive the gift of prophecy, as Peter mentioned in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17–18).
Prophecy sometimes involves predicting the future (Acts 20:22–23; 21:10–1; see Romans 9:24–33; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). At its core, prophecy is about sharing God's message by preaching, urging, and explaining God's will (Acts 15:32; 19:6; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:3–4, 29–33; Revelation 19:10). The gift of prophecy is plainly mentioned in the letters of 1 Corinthians and Ephesians as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and Jesus to his church (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–13). It is intended to benefit Christians (1 Corinthians 14:22).
Prophecy needs testing (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21). The church receives strong warnings about false prophets (1 John 4:1; see also Revelation 2:20–23). Christians must use this gift faithfully and as the Scriptures and God's Spirit instruct. Boldly sharing God's truth helps the church understand God's will and motivates people to obey it.
Passages for Further Study
Exodus 15:20; Deuteronomy 13:1–5; Judges 4:4; 1 Kings 11:29–32; 2 Kings 22:14–20; Isaiah 20:2–6; 44:25; Jeremiah 13:1–11; 23:25–32; Ezekiel 4:1–17; 13:2–9; Joel 2:28–32; Matthew 7:15; 24:24; Acts 2:17–21; 11:27–28; 13:1; 15:32; 19:6; 20:23; Acts 21:9–11; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 12:4–11; 14:1–40; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1–3; Revelation 2:20–23; 19:10