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NASB | 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, |
Subject: Apostles, Prophets? An Office for Today? |
Bible Note: Thus the role of Apostle and Prophet was temporary. They were eyewitnesses to the risen Christ that had normative relations of God’s Word. Once the Word was delivered, the foundation was laid for the Body of Christ. Note the requirement for the said positions: The following shows us the requirements of the replacement for Judas: Acts 1:21-26, "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." The apostles claimed to be eyewitnesses: Acts 5:32, Peter and the other apostles stated, "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Therefore, all the apostles were eyewitnesses to Christ and his Resurrection. Luke 1:1-4, "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to use by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Another proof that an apostle must be an eye witness: 1 Cor. 9:1, "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" Paul was the last apostle to see Jesus. 1 Cor. 15:8, "Then He [Christ] appeared to James, then to All the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." We can conclude that since Paul was the last to see Jesus, that the apostles didn’t have successors. Remember that Paul used the example of building a building so that we can understand this. And Paul makes it very clear what the jobs of the Apostles and Prophets were in Eph 2:19. Paul never says anything about them having another job to do. We can’t just assume that they have another job just because it suits us. Paul also makes it clear that the body of Christ needs to be built up. It is obvious from Paul's analogy that the foundation first had to be laid in order for the body of Christ to be built. And in Eph 2:19 Paul says that it has been laid. Therefore, once the foundation is laid, you can't continue to lay it. You must start building on it. That is what is happening now. You can't lay a foundation on a building if it's in the process of being built. That is why Paul uses this analogy. |