Differences between Old Testament Prophets and New Testament Prophets.

Most people don’t realise there’s a di0erence between a New Testament prophet

and an Old Testament prophet, or between Old Testament prophecy and **New

Testament prophecy**.

Where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came

upon him, Numbers 24:2 NLT

The message of one who hears the words of God,

who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 24:4NLT

the message of one who hears the words of God,

who has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 24:16NLT

But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of

another god must die.’

Deuteronomy 18:20–22 NLT

“But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If

the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true,

you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without

my authority and need not be feared.

Deuteronomy 18:20–22 NLT

Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. But if

someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the

one who is speaking must stop.

1 Corinthians 14:29–32 NLT

In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that

everyone will learn and be encouraged. Remember that people who prophesy are in

control of their spirit and can take turns.

Greek study: diakrino*

“diakrino” (διακρίνω)

Diamond dealers evaluate the carat, cut, color, clarity.

In the Old Testament, prophecies were judged. If one part was wrong, then all was

wrong.

In the New Testament, one part may be true, another false—and each part is to be

judged separately.

But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord,

the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to

speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.

1 Corinthians 14:30–31NLT

Greek study: diakrino*

“diakrino” (διακρίνω)

If a New Testament prophet operated like an Old Testament prophet—going into an

open-eyed trance and having God put words into their mouth—then they wouldn’t be

able to stop on command.

Paul commands the prophets to stop when someone else has a revelation.

When the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent troops to

capture him. But when they arrived and saw Samuel leading a group of prophets who

were prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men, and they also began to

prophesy. When Saul heard what had happened, he sent other troops, but they, too,

prophesied! The same thing happened a third time. Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah

and arrived at the great well in Secu. “Where are Samuel and David?” he demanded.

1 Samuel 19:19–24 NLT

“They are at Naioth in Ramah,” someone told him.

1 Samuel 19:19–24 NLT

But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too,

began to prophesy all the way to Naioth! He tore o0 his clothes and lay naked on the

ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who

were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?”

1 Samuel 19:19–24 NLT

In the New Testament, Paul makes it clear: those who prophesy are in control of their

own spirit and can take turns.

Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.

1 Corinthians 14:32 NLT

the message of one who hears the words of God,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 24:4 NLT

Acts 21:10–11 (NLT) Prophecy example

Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from

Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then

he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish

leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’ ”

Acts 21:10–11 NLT

Early on in Acts, Luke shows prophecy recorded and then fulfilled. But in Acts 21, Paul is

determined to go to Jerusalem even after warnings.

Acts 21:29–36

What happened

(For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from

Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

Acts 21:29–36 NLT

The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was

grabbed and dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind

him. As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman

regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately called out his soldiers and

o0icers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the

troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

Acts 21:29–36 NLT

Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. He asked

the crowd who he was and what he had done. Some shouted one thing and some

another. Since he couldn’t find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he ordered

that Paul be taken to the fortress. As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent

the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him. And the crowd followed

behind, shouting, “Kill him, kill him!”

Acts 21:29–36 NLT

New Testament prophecy is revelation from God expressed in human words—which is

why each part needs to be judged.