In the life of the early Church, as documented in the New Testament Scriptures, God spoke not only through written Scriptures but also through prophetic voices raised up by the Holy Spirit. This immediately creates a need for discernment, because Scripture itself warns believers that not every spiritual utterance is from God. The question, then, is not whether prophecy has existed since New Testament times—it clearly has—but how such prophecy is to be tested and recognized as genuine.
A clear example is found in the ministry of the prophet Agabus. Acts 11:27–28 says, “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.” This prophecy was not a quotation from Scripture, nor was it a direct proclamation about the person or work of Jesus. It was a practical, predictive word concerning events yet to come. Nevertheless, it was received as being from God, and history confirmed its fulfillment.
Later, Agabus again prophesied, this time concerning the apostle Paul. Acts 21:10–11 records, “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” Once again, the prophecy did not directly expound Scripture or explicitly mention Christ, yet it accurately foretold the suffering Paul would endure. The substance of this word came to pass, confirming that the Spirit of God had spoken.
This raises the crucial question: if prophecy does not always directly quote Scripture or explicitly speak of Jesus, how can it be tested? One biblical test is whether the word comes to pass. Deuteronomy 18:21–22 provides the principle: “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Fulfillment, therefore, matters. God’s true word does not fail.
Yet fulfillment alone is not enough. The New Testament adds another layer of discernment by directing believers to examine the spirit behind the prophecy. First John 4:1–3 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist.” This does not mean every prophecy must verbally repeat a confession of Christ, but that the same Spirit operating in the prophet consistently glorifies Jesus as Christ and Lord, rather than drawing attention to the prophet or undermining the gospel.
Jesus Himself gives an additional and vital test by pointing to the outcomes of a person’s ministry. In Matthew 7:15–20 He says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” A prophet, then, is known not only by what they predict, but by what their ministry produces. The fruit of true prophecy is faith, obedience to God, love for the Church, and the building up of God’s people.
When we look again at Agabus, we see this clearly. His famine prophecy resulted in generosity and practical care among the churches. His word to Paul did not manipulate or control, but prepared the Church for suffering and strengthened Paul’s resolve to submit to God’s will. The fruit of his prophecies was good, and the Spirit manifested in his ministry aligned with the work of Christ in the apostolic Church.
Taken together, Scripture teaches that prophecy is discerned by multiple witnesses: whether it comes to pass, whether the Spirit behind it honors Jesus Christ, and whether the fruit of it is good. A prophet is known by their prophecies, and both are ultimately known by the outcomes of that prophetic ministry.
For this reason, the Church is instructed neither to despise prophecy nor to accept it uncritically. First Thessalonians 5:20–21 exhorts believers, “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” In doing so, the Church honors the work of the Holy Spirit while remaining anchored in truth, wisdom, and faithful discernment.
