What does the Bible say about prophets? Accept them or reject them all?

[BobRyan]

I am going to address this topic in a meeting in the future - and would like to hear your thoughts.

1. Given that we all accept that the Bible is written by prophets

2 Pet 1: 19 And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
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2. And given that ALL scripture is given by inspiration from God and is to be used for doctrine and correction. 2 Tim 3:16

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof , for correction, for instruction in righteousness,​

3. And given that many deceivers have gone out into the world 2 John 1:7

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Matt 24:11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

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4. And given that Jesus said " I am sending you prophets" Matt 23:34 and He condemns anyone who opposes those prophets that he sends.

5. And given that the Bible says to "desire earnestly spiritual gifts but especially that you may prophesy" 1 Cor 14:1

6. And given that the Bible defines communication between God and His prophets as direct communication in a dream or vision - Numbers 12:6

If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.​

What is your view of anyone claiming to have the gift of prophecy after the close of the NT canon of scripture?

 

[BobRyan]

Prophets are given as a help to protect from doctrinal error according to Eph 4

Eph 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

Yet we are to test the prophets 1 John 4:1 to see if they are true or false prophets

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I am going to address this topic in a meeting in the future - and would like to hear your thoughts.

1. Given that we all accept that the Bible is written by prophets

2 Pet 1: 19 And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
​

2. And given that ALL scripture is given by inspiration from God and is to be used for doctrine and correction. 2 Tim 3:16

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof , for correction, for instruction in righteousness,​

3. And given that many deceivers have gone out into the world 2 John 1:7

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Matt 24:11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

​

4. And given that Jesus said " I am sending you prophets" Matt 23:34 and He condemns anyone who opposes those prophets that he sends.

5. And given that the Bible says to "desire earnestly spiritual gifts but especially that you may prophesy" 1 Cor 14:1

6. And given that the Bible defines communication between God and His prophets as direct communication in a dream or vision - Numbers 12:6

If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.​

What is your view of anyone claiming to have the gift of prophecy after the close of the NT canon of scripture?

I have never met a modern day prophet. Those that like to merchandise their position as a modern day prophet are either vague or completely wrong. So for now I will stay with prophesying as those who preach the Gospel. If one were to rise he/she would have no confusion, fear or error in their message.
Blessings

 

[Tolworth John]

There is one sure test of a prophet. If they say something will happen and it doesn't, then they are a blasphemer and not of God.

God does not make mistakes in giving a message or in its transmition from the prophet to listeners.

 

[Hawkins]

Sending prophets is a matter of God's business. He sends prophets whenever He sees fit.
When the two prophets/witnesses are literally mentioned in the book of Revelation, it means God will continue to send prophets after the Bible is completed, both OT and NT.

However, God may not need to make them publicly known as before, as their testimonies are no longer needed to be included in the Bible. And for the same reason, they may not need to fore-telling publicly for God to authenticate them publicly. What will be common among them is that they may convey truth which possesses an impact on the world, in one way or another.

Important prophets are usually sent alone, including Jesus (John the Baptist is considered as "before" Jesus). So if more than one important prophet is sent at the same time to the same situation echoing each other, there's a chance that they may turn the world upside down. This may happen when the end draws near.

Revelation 11:10
The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

 

[Always in His Presence]

This is perhaps the best statement on prophets I have ever read -

Prophetic Standards Statement – A Unified Call for Prophetic Accountability

WE BELIEVE that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of prophecy and the ministry of the prophet, are essential for the edification of the Body of Christ and the work of the ministry, which is why Scripture exhorts us to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that we may prophesy (see 1 Cor. 14:1, 39). Prophetic ministry is of great importance to the Church and must be encouraged, welcomed, and nurtured.

WE BELIEVE it is essential to create an environment in which prophecy can flourish, side by side with the other gifts of the Spirit and together with apostolic, evangelistic, pastoral, and teaching ministries. To create this environment, we need to encourage freedom in the Spirit in a faith-filled atmosphere, making room for spontaneous utterances as the Spirit wills. But all this must be done with proper accountability and oversight.

WE BELIEVE that the general function of the gift of prophecy, as it relates to the church, has to do with edification, exhortation, and comfort (see 1 Cor. 14:3). As this gift relates to unbelievers, it can reveal the secrets of their hearts and bring them to repentance, demonstrating God’s reality to them (see 1 Cor. 14:24-25).

WE BELIEVE that the essence of the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, hence the ultimate goal of prophetic ministry is to exalt the lordship of Jesus Christ, even though we recognize that not every prophetic word will specifically point to Him (see Rev. 19:10; 1 Cor. 12:3).
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It continues in the link.