Agabus: A Prophet
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Agabus is a notable figure in the New Testament, recognized for his role as a prophet in the early Christian church. His prophetic ministry is documented in the Acts of the Apostles, where he is depicted as a man endowed with the gift of prophecy, a spiritual gift that played a crucial role in the life and guidance of the early church.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 11:27-28: Agabus first appears in the biblical narrative during the time of the early church in Antioch. "During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)" . Agabus's prophecy concerning the famine was significant as it prompted the disciples to provide relief to the brothers living in Judea, demonstrating the practical impact of prophetic ministry in the church.

2. Acts 21:10-11: Agabus is mentioned again during Paul's journey to Jerusalem. "After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, "In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles."'" . This dramatic prophecy served as a warning to Paul about the impending challenges he would face in Jerusalem, highlighting Agabus's role in preparing and forewarning the apostles of future events.

Role and Significance:

Agabus's role as a prophet underscores the presence and function of prophetic gifts in the early church. Prophets like Agabus were instrumental in conveying divine messages and guidance, often providing insight into future events or offering warnings that required the church's attention and response. His prophecies were characterized by their specificity and accuracy, as evidenced by the fulfillment of the famine prediction and the subsequent events in Paul's life.

The ministry of Agabus also reflects the broader context of the early Christian community, where spiritual gifts were actively exercised for the edification and direction of the church. His interactions with the apostles and the church at large demonstrate the interconnectedness and mutual support within the body of Christ, as believers responded to prophetic revelations with faith and action.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, Agabus's prophetic ministry affirms the continuity of God's communication with His people through the Holy Spirit. His prophecies serve as a testament to the active role of the Spirit in guiding and sustaining the church, ensuring that believers were equipped to face challenges and fulfill their mission. The account of Agabus also highlights the importance of discernment and obedience in responding to prophetic messages, as the early church did in response to his warnings.

Agabus remains a significant figure in the study of New Testament prophecy, exemplifying the dynamic and vital role of prophets in the early church and offering insights into the nature of divine revelation and guidance.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 11:28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
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Acts 21:10
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
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Greek
13. Agabos -- Agabus, a Christian prophet
... Agabus, a Christian prophet. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Agabos
Phonetic Spelling: (ag'-ab-os) Short Definition: Agabus Definition: Agabus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/13.htm - 6k
Library

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 30. Narcissus, bishop of Athens. 31. Herodion, bishop of Tarsus. 32. Agabus the
prophet. 33. Rufus, bishop of Thebes. 34. Asyncritus, bishop of Hyrcania. 35. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

Acts XXI
... (10) "And while we were remaining several days, there came down from Jerusalem a
certain prophet named Agabus; (11) and he came to us, and took Paul's girdle ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

Of the Monk's Girdle.
... Paul also, going up to Jerusalem and soon to be put in chains by the Jews, was met
at C??sarea by the prophet Agabus, who took his girdle and bound his hands ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i of the monks.htm

Acts xx. 32
... prophetesses; it is Agabus. "And as we tarried there many days, there came down
from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlv acts xx 32.htm

Drawing Nearer to the Storm
... And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet,
named Agabus.11. ... We have heard of the prophet Agabus before (chap, xi.28). ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/drawing nearer to the storm.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... for some time with Philip the Evangelist. "There came down from Judea a
certain Prophet named Agabus. And, when he was come to us ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

Letter Xli. To Marcella.
... if the Montanists reply that Philip's four daughters prophesied [877] at a later
date, and that a prophet is mentioned named Agabus, [878] and that in the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xli to marcella.htm

The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
... Agabus, the prophet, [67]107, [68]110, [69]234. Agapius, bishop of C??sarea,
[70]320. Agapius, a martyr, [71]344, [72]347, [73]348. Agapius, a martyr, [74]345. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/the church history of eusebius.htm

The Triumph of God's Sovereign Good Will
... the pious faithful who were unwilling that the apostle Paul should go to Jerusalem,
lest there he should suffer the things that the prophet Agabus had predicted ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxvi the triumph of.htm

How Claudius, the Second of the Romans who came into Britain ...
... In which year there came to pass a most grievous famine in Syria, which is recorded
in the Acts of the Apostles to have been foretold by the prophet Agabus. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap iii how claudius the.htm

Resources
What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Antioch in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

New Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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