Bible Handbook

Characteristics of a True Prophet

• Matthew 24:24. There will be false prophets. BHB 138.17

• 1 John 4:1. Test all prophets. BHB 138.18

• 1 John 4:2, 3. Must confess Christ came in the flesh. BHB 138.19

• Isaiah 8:20. Tested by the law and the testimony. The words of a true prophet will harmonize with the law of God and the testimony of all previous prophets of God. One who claims to be a prophet may fulfill every other test, but if his instruction is contrary to the Bible and the testimonies, he proves himself to be false. BHB 138.20

• Deuteronomy 13:1-4. Exalt the true God. BHB 139.1

• Deuteronomy 18:21, 22. Words must come true. BHB 139.2

• Deuteronomy 13:1-3. A false prophet’s words may come true. BHB 139.3

• Numbers 12:6. Will have visions. BHB 139.4

• Daniel 10:7; Acts 9:7, 8. Open or public visions with witnesses present. Testimonies for the Church 1:58, 70. BHB 139.5

• 1 John 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16. Witnesses relate what they have seen. BHB 139.6

• 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Daniel 2:19; 7:1. Night visions and dreams. Testimonies for the Church 1:569. BHB 139.7

• Acts 9:3. A great light encircles them. Testimonies for the Church 9:66. BHB 139.8

• Acts 10:9, 10; Daniel 9:20-23. Vision given while praying. Testimonies for the Church 5:68. BHB 139.9

• Ezekiel 8:3; Daniel 8:2. Taken to other places while in vision. Testimonies for the Church 5:68; Early Writings, 32. BHB 139.10

• Matthew 7:15-20. Known by fruits. Testimonies for the Church 5:671. BHB 139.11

• Jeremiah 7:13, 25; 25:4. Early risers. Testimonies for the Church 5:67. BHB 139.12

• Acts 13:8-11; 2 Chronicles 20:14-19. God sometimes speaks through a prophet without a vision. Testimonies for the Church 5:678. BHB 139.13

• Jeremiah 23:16. Never flatter. BHB 139.14

• Acts 11:27-30. Warn of danger. BHB 139.15

• Acts 15:1, 2:27-29. Settle doctrinal questions. Testimonies for the Church 1:76, 86; Early Writings, 74, 75. BHB 139.16

• Acts 16:4, 5. Testimony establishes churches. BHB 139.17

• Acts 16:6-10. Directs the laborers. Early Writings, 63. BHB 139.18

• 2 Kings 8:9-12. Countenance of persons reminds the prophet of what he has seen. Testimonies for the Church 5:65, 671. BHB 139.19

• 2 Kings 4:27. Everything is not always revealed. BHB 140.1

• 2 Kings 5:20-26. Reveal unexpressed desires of the heart. BHB 140.2

• Isaiah 38:1-5. Prayers and tears change a testimony. Prophets and Kings, 340, 341. BHB 140.3

• Jeremiah 18:7-10. Principle governing all testimonies. BHB 140.4

• 2 Chronicles 21:12, margin. Testimonies written before time for their delivery. BHB 140.5

• 2 Peter 1:20. Every word far-reaching. BHB 140.6

• Isaiah 44:26. God confirms the words. Early Writings, 59. BHB 140.7

• Jeremiah 36:32. Never take back their testimony, but rather add to it. Testimonies for the Church 5:677. BHB 140.8