There was no person who in writing the NT was either an apostle or a close associate of an apostle. If, for example, they weren't an apostle, their information was gained from an apostle. Luke traveled with Paul. Mark was with Peter. Both James and Jude were brothers of our Lord, and well accepted by all the Apostles. James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem where the council of chapter 15 was held.
Researching apostles...
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by awaken, Apr 4, 2013.
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...plus...it still does not prove that Jesus did not send apostles AFTER he ascended! Eph. 4 says he did! -
This is demonstrated well in the OT. Isaiah was a well educated man who could write in a poetical fashion and use many literary devices. And all of that comes out in his writing, in the Book of Isaiah.
The personality of Amos comes out in his book. Amos was a farmer, a sheep-herder. His style is completely different as one would expect.
In the NT the writing of John, a fisherman, is completely different than Paul, a highly educated man. God allowed their personalities to shine through their writings. They were not simply mechanical robots.
Where do you think Paul got all his information from? It is true much of it was direct revelation. He describes in detail his voyage to Rome and how he was shipwrecked. Did that come from the Holy Spirit, or did the Holy Spirit inspire what he wrote? -
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Which three of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries are mentioned most in the New Testament?
Which two of those fivefold ministries are mentioned least in the New Testament? -
He gave to the church OT prophets also. He gave to the church the OT prophets in the form of the OT itself. Do you use the OT, or have you thrown it in the garbage? If you use it, then Christ has given you the OT prophets. The verse does not mean that all the positions listed continue today or were appointed after the ascension. There is no such meaning in that verse.
He is speaking to a first century church, the church at Ephesus, of whom Timothy was the pastor. Timothy, no doubt had mentioned many of the Apostles. He traveled with Paul, had met with Peter and James; traveled also with Luke, and no doubt had met many of the others. He was Paul's disciple and went with Paul wherever he went until Paul had sent him to Ephesus. The verses you reference are written in context to the local church at Ephesus, not to a universal church that doesn't exist.
The we, probably referred to Paul, Timothy and the members of the Ephesian church. They were to come into the unity of faith, which they probably did.
The lessons of the church of Ephesus every Bible believing local church should apply to themselves today, with the exception that we don't have apostles and prophets today. -
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Were they living in the time of Jesus or after? -
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There were some NT prophets like Agabus, but not many.
There was the gift of prophesy, strictly a revelatory gift, used only when the canon of Scripture was incomplete. When the canon was completed (made perfect) it was no longer needed. It ceased, as the Bible said it would. The "office" of the prophet disappeared with it. -
Because...
1 Corinthians 14:29, 32, 37 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.... [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.... [37] If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
The early church — here, the church at Corinth — found it quite normal to have a prophet or prophets in the church.
Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers
Again, it was not unusual, but accepted, that there might be prophets (even plural prophets) in a local church. And the New Testament church recognized other Christian prophets by name...(as you said they were a few)
Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10) Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32)
Matthew 10:41a, KJV He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.
Why beat around the bush? Jesus tells us to receive someone who is a prophet “in the name of a prophet.” There is no biblical encouragement for identifying certain ones as “evangelists, pastors and teachers” and then identifying true prophets and apostles with correct but controvery-avoiding phrases like: “He has an apostolic [or prophetic] ministry.” As if the Lord has given three nouns (evangelist, pastor, teacher) and two adjectives (apostolic, prophetic)! No! Jesus said to receive a prophet “in the name of a prophet.” It’s time for the Church to shake off the fear of man and return to biblical patterns. -
NOT for today, as we now have the completed word of God to us!
Interesting that there appeared to be 'charasmatic chaos" even in the early churches, eh? -
Show me where there is a difference in the church then and what he wants for the church now.
It was not just for a certain time! It was for an example for us to follow!
Eph. is plain...he sent them after he ascended.
THe early church had them!
No where does it say they are not needed today! Just the opposite is recorded in the Word! -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Since no one alive today, as I have shown biblically, qualifies to be an Apostle then your personal application of Ephesians 4 is in error. -
That would answer Awaken on the 5 fold ministry for today question! -
Jesus said: "John was the last of the OT prophets." Was he lying or so great is your unbelief in the Scriptures that you don't believe His words.
Believe me; that is not my opinion. Neither were the other things that I said to you.
Be careful what you say, lest it come back to bite you.
If you knew what this verse meant:
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Then you would know that prophecy is not for today. They have failed, come to an end, ceased. They are no longer needed. They have served their purpose.
Just because there were prophets in that first century church does not mean there should be prophets today. They did not have a finished or completed canon of Scripture either.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
--Have you lost the context somewhere? I will quote it for you:
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
--He was speaking to his disciples or shall I say The Twelve Apostles.
The sometimes acted in the capacity of prophets. That was the context.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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