It seems that "prophets" is used in the Bible in two meanings. One is the prophecies before Jesus - phrase "
the prophets", usualy used within phrase "the law
and the prophets" and another for prophets anytime, simply "prophets".
The only reason why in 1 Cor 14 and other places this phrase "THE prophets" is used is because prophecying/prophets have been already mentioned earlier in the context. So
the is added because writers are referring to the same thing that is being mentioned again. They also apparently address the church of the day:
1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is
now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles?
are all prophets?
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed
them.
And of course the Revelation of John...
I wont argue that prophets of the New Testament and beyond have the identical calling (or office if you will) as the OT prophets as it offends some believers. God knows. I think the main reason for arguments is fear that by that understanding many nowadays' "prophets" could claim the same authority of the Bible and in case they are false, destroy people. But thank God it does not work that way. God picked out the most important and universally edifying messages to be the authoritative text of the NT. Judas and Silas have been called prophets by the Word of God, but God did not choose to have their words enter the Bible. This was not because they were not prophets but because their messages and predictions have not been as applicable to all times as perfectly as those He chose. A lot of OT prophets are called prophets in the Bible but their words did not enter the Bible, either.
NT uses the same Greek word for prophet which was used for OT prophets, to refer to prophets prophecying at the time of writing of the NT. Imo, it is a strong suggestion of an identical office, but that's just my opinion. God bless
Greek Lexicon :: G4396 (KJV)