The tests for a prophet are these:
(1) Do their predictions come true (Jer. 28:9)?
(2) Does the prophet have a divine commission (Jer.29:9)?
(3) Are the prophecies consistent with Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21, Rev. 22:18-19)?
(4) Do the people benefit spiritually from the prophet's ministry (Jer. 23:13, 14, 32, 1 Peter 4:11)?
Hebrew has no Word for false prophet. All are simply prophets. Yet some do not obey God. They are false. Jeremiah 14:14 describes them: The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Prophets generally shared several key experiences and characteristics.
(1) A call from God.
(2) A Word from God. This came through many means-direct declarations, visions, dreams, or an appearance of God.
(3) Prophets were primarily spokespersons who called His people to obedience by appealing to Israel's past and future.
(4) Symbolic acts. These served as dramatic living parables (Isa. 20:1-3, Ezek. 4:1-3, Jer. 19:10-11, Hos. 2:1-13).
(5) Miracles confirmed their message (Ex. 4:1-9, 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 5, Isa. 38:6).
(6) Writing God's Word (Isa. 8:1, Ezek. 43:11).
(7) Ministry to their people. Prophets were to test God's peoples' lives (Jer. 6:27).
(8) Ecstatic experiences. These confirmed God's presence and empowered the prophet.
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