As Paul continues his travel by ship, he comes to Caesarea and to Philip’s house. Luke tells us that Philip had 4 unmarried daughters who prophesied. This Philip was one of those appointed to serve and also preached Christ in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8). He is a different person than Philip who was one of the 12 apostles (Luke 6:14).

What we discuss is how Luke ties together narrative themes in Luke/Acts. Mentioning the daughters who prophesied picks up themes found earlier in Luke and in Acts. The key passage is Peter’s citation of Joel 2:28 in Acts 2:17 that all types of people would prophesy in the last days when God pours out His Spirit on all mankind (which happened at Pentecost). In Acts 21:9 Luke mentions the 4 daughters who prophesied. Right after this he will mention Agabus who prophesies. Early in Luke, Anna (Luke 2:36-38) was an older women who prophesied.

In Luke various women and men prophesied about God’s mighty deeds in bringing Messiah. Anna gave thanks to God. We discuss the nature of prophecy in Luke/Acts which proclaims presence of Messianic salvation through Jesus Christ, the mighty deeds of God, and what God would do through Christ to bring both judgment and salvation.

We also discuss the difference between authoritative apostles and prophets who spoke authoritatively for God and gave us the NT scriptures, and people who prophesy in other ways which could apply to anyone who is born of God. The fulfillment of Joel 2:28 cited by Peter at Pentecost applied to all upon whom the Spirit came.

We pointed out that declaring the person and work of Christ and terms of the gospel by those filled with the Spirit is prophesying. Those who claim to be prophets like the Biblical ones who wrote Scripture and made detailed and accurate predictions of the future are of a different sort. Many Scriptures are read and discussed. We will discuss Agabus the next time we teach from Acts.