The concept of the Promised Prophet is rooted in the anticipation of a divinely appointed messenger who would arise to lead and guide God's people. This expectation is primarily based on the prophecy found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19
The foundational prophecy concerning the Promised Prophet is found in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Moses, addressing the Israelites, declares: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him" (Deuteronomy 18:15). This passage establishes the expectation of a prophet who would be like Moses, serving as a mediator between God and His people. The prophecy continues with a divine promise: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him" (Deuteronomy 18:18). This indicates that the Promised Prophet would speak with divine authority, conveying God's words to the people.

Characteristics of the Promised Prophet
The Promised Prophet is characterized by several key attributes:

1. Like Moses: The prophet would be similar to Moses, who was known for his role as a leader, lawgiver, and mediator. Moses was unique in his direct communication with God, and the Promised Prophet would share this intimate relationship with the Divine.

2. From Among the Israelites: The prophecy specifies that the prophet would arise from among the Israelites, emphasizing his connection to the people and his role as one of their own.

3. Divine Authority: The Promised Prophet would speak with the authority of God, as God would put His words in the prophet's mouth. This underscores the prophet's role as a true and faithful messenger of God's will.

4. Obedience Required: The Israelites are commanded to listen to this prophet, highlighting the importance of obedience to his message as it would be divinely inspired.

Fulfillment in the New Testament
The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Promised Prophet. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is identified as the one who speaks the words of God: "For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit" (John 3:34). This aligns with the Deuteronomic prophecy that God would put His words in the mouth of the Promised Prophet.

In Acts 3:22-23, the Apostle Peter explicitly connects Jesus to the prophecy in Deuteronomy, stating: "For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to everything He tells you. Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people'" . Peter's declaration affirms that Jesus is the anticipated prophet who fulfills the Mosaic prophecy.

Significance in Christian Theology
The identification of Jesus as the Promised Prophet holds significant theological implications. It affirms the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, demonstrating that Jesus is the culmination of the prophetic tradition. As the Promised Prophet, Jesus embodies the ultimate revelation of God's will, serving as the final and authoritative voice to whom all must listen.

The Promised Prophet is a central figure in biblical prophecy, representing God's ongoing commitment to guide and instruct His people through a divinely appointed messenger. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus Christ underscores His unique role as the ultimate mediator and revealer of God's truth.