Acts 21 - Words of the Prophets

The church's letter to the gentiles comes up again in today's reading of Acts 21.

That and several examples of the early first century prophetic office.

Three times the churches exhortation is mentioned explicitedly in Acts.

Act 15:20  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and fromfornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Act 21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

It is also mentioned in reference to certain specific actions.

They wrote letters....

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

Act 15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Act 15:23  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

We don't have the actual letter, but certainly the key point of it is preserved.

Acts 15:23 Gill

And wrote letters by them after this manner,.... Not that they made use of them as their amanuenses, to write their letters for them; but being written they put them into their hands, and sent them by them, and they were written in the following form:

the apostles, and elders, and brethren; which belonged to, or were members of the church at Jerusalem; they are severally set in their proper place and order: the apostles, Peter, and James, and John, and it may be some others first; for these God had set in the first place in the church; then the elders, or preachers of the Gospel, such as were Judas and Silas: and then the brethren, or private members of the church; who are called so, because they are of one family, and have one Father, and are partakers of the same grace and privileges: these,

They sent truthful witnesses to say the same...

Act 15:27  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

And then we are told they actually read and the disciples, i.e. Prophets, confirmed the message.....

Act 15:30  So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Act 15:31  Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Act 15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Act 15:33  And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

What is a prophet...or rather the first century office of prophet.

Acts 13:1   (KJV)

13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 15:32 Gill

And Judas and Silas being also prophets themselves,.... As well as Paul and Barnabas, and others, that were at Antioch; see Act 13:1 and by prophets are meant, not only such who had the gift of foretelling things to come; though such there were, and these might have that gift; but such who were able to explain the prophecies of the Old Testament, give the true sense of the Scriptures, and open them to the edification of others; wherefore having such gifts, they made use of them; Beza's ancient copy adds, "full of the Holy Ghost":

and exhorted the brethren with many words; which does not so much design the prolixity of their discourses, and the frequency of their ministrations, though they might preach both long and often; as the richness of the matter of them, as the Syriac version suggests, rendering it, "with a rich word"; with copiousness, fulness, and abundance of Gospel truths, with which they comforted the brethren, giving them many useful instructions and exhortations:

and confirmed them; in the doctrines of the Gospel, and particularly in their Christian liberty, and freedom from the law of Moses, in which the false teachers had endeavoured to stagger them.

Note I recently found a useful quote of old Scottish teaching on this subject.

I include a quote from a source I list below, but I have heard this taught in other reformed churches.

First, we believe that the office of Prophet is extraordinary and has ceased along with the offices of Apostle and Evangelist just as it is stated in The Second Book of Discipline (Of the Parts of the Policy of the Kirk, and Persons or Office-Bearers to Whom the Administration Thereof is Committed), and The Form of Presbyterial Church Government ("Of the Officers of the Church"), both of which are subordinate standards adopted by the General Assembly of Scotland 1638-1649, inclusive. 

The Second Book of Discipline, ratified by the Church of Scotland in 1578, contains the following statement, respecting the extraordinary officers in the Church:

In the New Testament and time of the evangel, he [Christ] has used the ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and doctors in the administration of the word; the eldership for good order and administration of discipline; the deaconship to have the care of the ecclesiastical goods.

Some of these ecclesiastical functions are ordinary, and some extraordinary or temporary. There are three extraordinary functions: the office of the apostle, of the evangelist, and of the prophet, which are not perpetual, and now have ceased in the kirk of God, except when he pleased extraordinarily for a time to stir some of them up again. There are four ordinary functions or offices in the kirk of God: the office of the pastor, minister or bishop; the doctor; the presbyter or elder; and the deacon.

These offices are ordinary, and ought to continue perpetually in the kirk, as necessary for the government and policy of the same, and no more offices ought to be received or suffered in the true kirk of God established according to his word (The First and Second Books of Discipline, Dallas: Presbyterian Publications, 1993; Second Book of Discipline, Chapter 2,Of the Parts of the Policy of the Kirk, and Persons or Office-Bearers to Whom the Administration Thereof is Committed, pp. 127-28, emphases added).

The Form of Presbyterial Church Government states :

The officers which Christ hath appointed for the edification of his church, and the perfecting of the saints, are, some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and prophets, which are ceased. Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors, teachers, and other church-governors, and deacons (The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, in The Confession of Faith; the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, etc. , Inverness: Publications Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, 1976, p. 398, emphases added).

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, February 10, 1645, Session 16, affirms that the Books of Discipline are an abiding part of the covenanted uniformity sworn to be upheld in the National and Solemn League and Covenant:

The General Assembly being most desirous and solicitous, not only of the establishment and preservation of the form of Kirk Government in this kingdom according to the Word of God, books of Discipline, Acts of General Assemblies, and National Covenant, but also for the uniformity in Kirk Government betwixt these two kingdoms, now more straightly and strongly united by the late Solemn League and Covenant... (The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, 1638-1649 inclusive, p. 259, emphases added).

Furthermore, our Terms of Communion also bind us to affirm both the the First and Second Books of Discipline and The Form of Church Governmentas authoritative and agreeable to Gods Word.

Sources..  

http://www.reformedpresbytery.org/books/prophecy/prophecy.htm

Certainly, an area were understanding ones terms and definitions is important for conversation.

Btw prophets are also mentioned in 35 verses in Acts. See list below, and they refer to OT prophets, and 1st century prophets, and just as Gill says some telling God's word or making it clear, and some at times are predictive.

Just who were these two? Gill writes.

namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas; See Gill on Act 1:23.

and Silas, the same with Sylvanus:

chief men among the brethren, leading men among them, who went before them, were guides to them, in doctrine and discipline; for these were prophets or preachers, as appears from Act 15:32 and these they pitched upon, partly out of respect to Paul and Barnabas, as being suitable companions for them, and partly out of respect to the church at Antioch, and chiefly because of their ability, and capacity, for such service they were sent upon.

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Act 1:23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Gill writes..

The former of these has three names; in one ancient copy of Beza's he is called Joses; and by some thought to be the same with Joses, surnamed Barnabas, in Act 4:36 partly because in one copy, and in the Syriac version there, that Joses is called Joseph; and partly, because of the nearness in sound between Barsabas and Barnabas: hence the Ethiopic version here reads, "Joseph, who was called Barnabas", and so Beza's most ancient copy; but though Joses is here meant for Jose, or Joses is, with the Jews, an abbreviation of Joseph; yet not Joses the Levite, who was of the country of Cyprus, but Joses of Galilee, the son of Alphaeus and Mary; and who had two brothers, James and Jude, already apostles; see Mat 13:55. Moreover, though the two names, Barnabas and Barsabas, differ little in sound, yet much in sense: the former is interpreted "the son of consolation", Act 4:36 but the latter signifies much the same with Bathsheba; as that may be interpreted "the daughter", this "the son of an oath"; or as others, "a son of wisdom"; and by others, "the son of fulness"; I should choose to take it to be the same name with בר סבא, and interpret it, "the son of an old man"; as Alphaeus might be, when Joses, or Joseph was born, and he be the younger brother of James and Jude; as for his surname Justus, this was a name not only in use among the Grecians and Romans, especially the latter, but among the Jews: hence we often read of Rabbi יוסטא, "Justa", and sometimes, יוסטי, "Justi", and at other times, יוסטאי "Justai" (x) whether he had this surname from his being a very just man, as Aristides was called Aristides the just; and so Simeon the high priest, the last of Ezra's great synagogue, was called Simeon the just (y); and so James the brother of this Joseph, or Joses, was called by the Jews (z); and it may be, that he himself might have his name from the patriarch Joseph, who used to be called by them, Joseph, הצדיק, "the just" (a)

Note Silas, was to become along with Timothy and Luke, one of Paul's closest co-workers.

KJV Search Results

13 Verses Found, 13 Matches

Act 15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Act 15:27  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

Act 15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Act 15:34  Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Act 15:40  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Act 16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Act 16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Act 18:5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

Other Prophets mentioned in Acts.

KJV Search Results

35 Verses Found, 53 Matches

Act 2:16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophetJoel;

Act 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Act 2:18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Act 3:18  But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Act 3:21  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Act 3:22  For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophetshall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Act 3:23  And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Act 3:24  Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Act 3:25  Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Act 7:37  This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

Act 7:42  Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Act 7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Act 8:28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Act 8:30  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Act 8:34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Act 10:43  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Act 11:27  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Act 13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Act 13:6  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Act 13:15  And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Act 13:20  And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Act 13:27  For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

Act 13:40  Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Act 15:15  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Act 15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Act 21:9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Act 21:10  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Act 24:14  But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Act 26:22  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Act 26:27  King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Act 28:23  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into hislodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Act 28:25  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,