The New Testament has many references to prophets who served God’s church also in the time of the new covenant (see Acts 13:1; Acts 15:32; Acts 21:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28–29; 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Corinthians 14:32, 1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 3:5; Ephesians 4:11). Together with the apostles, these prophets were part of the foundation laying phase of the church (Ephesians 2:20). They preached from and interpreted God’s Word. They also predicted events and gave guidance to the church.1 They were necessary in a time when the New Testament canon had not been completed.2
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.