True Women Prophets

True Women Prophets

Philip’s Daughters

Read: Acts 21:8-9

After enjoying huge success as a film star during her early childhood, Shirley Temple Black spent twenty-seven years working for the State Department. Her career included such assignments as U.S. ambassador to Ghana in 1974 and ambassador to Czechoslovakia in 1989 and 1992. As an ambassador for the United States, she represented the American government to these other countries and was responsible for safeguarding her country’s honor.

In the Bible, true prophets were God’s representatives on earth, sharing messages and revelations from him. The Old Testament names Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah as examples of authentic female prophets. They faithfully shared God’s Word with their nation regardless of the popularity of the message or the political climate. The New Testament indicates that the gift of prophecy was also evident in the early church. An evangelist named Philip had four unmarried daughters who were prophets. It must have been highly unusual to have so many in one household with this calling.

Since we have been given the complete written Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide each believer, there are differences of opinion about the gift of prophecy and its place in the modern church. Regardless of this debate, every believer is called to represent Jesus Christ on earth, even as Jesus represented the Father during his earthly life.

Our assignment is to speak for him regardless of the political climate, sharing the good news of reconciliation with God through Christ. Our duty includes safeguarding the honor of the One who sent us. Our words and actions help to shape what others think of him. There is no greater honor than being an ambassador who represents Christ to a lost world.

We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.

2 Corinthians 5:20