False Prophet

What is a "false prophet" (Acts 13:6)?
In the narrow sense, a false prophet is a self-proclaimed prophet of God who gives a prophecy that turns out to be false: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him" (Deuteronomy 18:22). In a wider sense, a false prophet is anyone who falsely claims to speak God's truth.

How can you tell whether or not a "prophet" is speaking God's truth?
God wrote the Bible using people as His writing instruments. Because God is perfect, so is what He wrote, and God doesn't contradict Himself. Therefore, a false prophet is someone who contradicts the Bible.

Does a false prophet always contradict the Bible and give prophecies that always turn out to be false?
Then s/he would expose him/herself quickly as a false prophet. A false prophet typically says things that seem true often enough to retain his/her audience.

What must you read constantly to know when a false prophet is contradicting the Bible?
 

How do false prophets present themselves?
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

What do false prophets' "sheep's clothing" look like?
Clean cut, fashionable attire, degrees from well-known seminaries, messages that reassure and please sinners with worldly 'wisdom,' humor, etc., business cards that elevate them as "Apostle," "Prophet," "Bishop," "The Reverend" and with other unbiblical titles (see Acts 13).

Can a false prophet do 'miracles'?
Jesus warned us, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:23-24).

How can a false prophet "show great signs and wonders"?
False prophets are empowered by evil spirits, whose power pales compared to the power of the Holy Spirit but could appear to humans, even Christians - "even the elect" -  as "great signs and wonders."

How can "great signs and wonders" of evil spirits working through false prophets be distinguished from the Holy Spirit's supernatural works?
All works of the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus, who said, "... When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13-14). Therefore, supernatural works that do not glorify Jesus are not of the Holy Spirit.

Where is "Paphos" (Acts 13:6)?
During the Roman era, Paphos, situated on the southwest coast of Cyprus, served as the island's capital. So, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark had traversed Cyprus from its northeast coast to its southwest coast.