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COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
Acts 13
New American Standard Bible
13 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
I have been listening to Pastor's Courson's recent sermon series on Acts...
In his parallel commentary series, Pastor Courson opines from 13: 1 that there was clearly a distinction in this text between prophets and teachers. (717).
Prophets: Those who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, guide the Church as they 'speak the heart of God through edification, exhortation, and comfort.' (717).
Teachers: These are those that 'ground the church as they point out the ways and mind of God revealed through the Word.' (717).
Pastor Courson reasons that certain denominations make prophets and teachers one and the same thing, but that actually from Acts 13 there is a quote 'clear-cut distinction.' (717).
John Calvin in his Acts commentary writes that in Acts 13: 1 the terms for prophets and teachers 'may be synonymous.' (207). These contrasted from the differences between prophets and teachers in Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12: 28. (207).
Ephesians 4: 11
New American Standard Bible
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 [a]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 [b]knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature [c]which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Footnotes:
a Ephesians 4:12 Or holy ones
b Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
c Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
1 Corinthians 12:28
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
28 And God has [a]appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then [b]miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
Footnotes:
a 1 Corinthians 12:28 Lit set some in
b 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or works of power
Calvin reasons that in Acts 13, the prophets are not foretellers of the future, but are instead 'outstanding interpreters of Scripture.' (207). He explains that is his opinion these types of prophets could also teach and exhort via 1 Corinthians 14: 37.
1 Corinthians 14:37 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
I favour, non-dogmatically, Calvin's interpretation here. Prophets can reasonably be expected to add commentary on what he/she prophecies at times.
A teacher on the other hand, may not at all prophecy.
I myself, am in the teacher (paid professional) category and certainly do not see myself as a prophet, although I pray for insights by the Holy Spirit in regard to the past, present and future.
Bible Study Tools
1 Ἦσαν δὲ ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ κατὰ τὴν οὖσαν ἐκκλησίαν προφῆται καὶ διδάσκαλοι ὅ τε Βαρναβᾶς καὶ Συμεὼν ὁ καλούμενος Νίγερ, καὶ Λούκιος ὁ Κυρηναῖος, Μαναήν τε Ἡρῴδου τοῦ τετραάρχου σύντροφος καὶ Σαῦλος.
προφῆται καὶ διδάσκαλοι
Prophets and teachers
There is a linguistic distinction, but this does not exclude the possibility of some overlap in function.
CALVIN, JOHN (1552)(1995) Acts, Translated by Watermark, Nottingham, Crossway Books.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
