It's important to contrast how prophecy functions in the Old Testament versus the New Testament. The main difference lies in whom God used and how He used them.

In the Old Testament, God would select individuals for specific tasks, seasons or even lifelong roles, where they became His mouthpiece to their generation. These prophets, often speaking to kings, judges, or rulers of Israel, conveyed God's heart concerning the nation. Their messages included warnings, strategies for national and international affairs, calls to repentance, and appeals to return to God in humility.

These chosen prophets held a unique and rare role in their era. They maintained a deep connection to God's heart and were regarded as His confidants, reflecting a relationship similar to what Christians experience today.  Each prophet bore an immense responsibility as the sole, faithful steward of God's will in their time. Ignoring their messages risked straying from God's path or rebelling against His guidance, potentially inviting His discipline.

Prophecy in the Old Testament primarily focused on obedience to the Lord through His appointed servants. It rarely involved personal messages but rather addressed collective concerns of the nation (corporate words). Attempting to apply corporate prophetic examples as a model for personal words would be misleading, as Old Testament prophets served as God's voice to a nation that acknowledged Him as their sole ruler. God validated their authority in ways that left lasting impressions to help the people believe despite their resistance.

In the New Testament, believers experienced a significant shift in their relationship with God. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to all believers, eliminating the need for a special intermediary to convey God's desires. They relied on the Old Testament Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus passed down by the apostles, which eventually formed the New Testament. Apostles and their disciples assisted in confirming, interpreting, and understanding the Holy Spirit's guidance.

The new reality was that every believer had the Holy Spirit within them and Scripture to guide them personally. This brought about individual responsibility in discerning God's voice, supported by a community of believers for accountability, help, and encouragement.

Each believer in the New Testament takes personal responsibility for their spiritual journey, while also engaging with a community that interprets Scripture relevantly for their time. Dependence solely on the church, prophets, or institutions for spiritual growth is insufficient; believers must cultivate their own relationship with God.

Prophecy in the New Testament differs from the Old Testament as it encourages personal accountability before God, rather than commanding obedience. The Bible remains the ultimate authority guiding believers' lives, ensuring that prophecy does not override personal autonomy.

The church's authority structure differs from ancient Israel. Apostles, not prophets, hold translocal authority in the body of Christ. While prophets can give corporate words, their ministry primarily focuses on individuals. Local church elders, not prophets, oversee personal matters. Misuse of authority by church leaders risks leading towards cult-like practices, where personal decisions are dictated by leaders rather than guided by personal conviction and Scripture.