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NASB | 1 Corinthians 12:27 ¶ Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 12:27 ¶ Now you [collectively] are Christ's body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. |
Subject: The Writings of the Apostles? |
Bible Note: Greetings Charis! Thanks for your response brother! This is an awfully difficult subject to address in short questions and answers because of it's complex nature. However, let me deal with a few points of agreement and disagreement. Points of Agreement: 1) The Holy Spirit is still active in the Church: I fully agree with you here. I am a firm believer in the Gifts of the Spirit. More than that, I do not believe that the Gifts refered to in Scripture are simply natural talents, as many today do. I believe that they are Divine enablements, that may or may not conicide with our natural talents, but spring from God's power not ours. The only distinction I make is that the Holy Spirit's work will not add to the completed revelation. 2) There are no minor servants in God's Kingdom: I fully agree with you here as well. Whatever minsitry God calls a person to is valid and important. However, there are different levels of responsibility inherent within each ministry. Points of Disagreement: 1) The nature of an Apostle: We may simply be using different definitions here, I'm not sure. My understanding of an Apostle is based upon Acts 1:20-26: 20 ‘‘For,” said Peter, ‘‘it is written in the book of Psalms, ”‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ”‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 21 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, 22 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.” 23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, ‘‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Based upon my understanding of this passage, an Apostle by definition had a limited scope historically speaking. He had to be someone who was with Christ from the beginning, who experienced the resurrection, and who was commissioned as an Apostle by Christ Himself. The 12 fits this definition. Paul, bends this definition somewhat, but received his commission directly from Christ. There are others called apostles in the New Testament. It may be that they also fit this definition (for instance James may have received a special commission from Christ) or it may be that they differ from the 12 in that they were called or commissioned by the church rather than Christ directly. Thus, I don't view the apostles as missionaries or evangelists. They were, in my view, founders of the church. Historically, we know that Apostles did not perpetuate themselves. The early church writers bear witness to the uniqueness of their ministry. 2) The Nature of the Gifts in Ephesians 4: Finally, I also view Eph. 4 as refering to offices not ministerial gifts. I take this view for the following reasons: a) The list in Eph. 4 does not refer to individual gifts, like prophecy, ect... b) The list in Eph. 4 does not refer to individual men. c) Rather, it seems to refer to types of ministry - Pastors, Prophets, ect. This is why I use the term office. These five words seem to describe a ministerial position to which believers are called. As a pastor yourself, you know what I mean. Not everyone is called to be a pastor. Not everyone is called to be an evangelist. Those who are called are placed in that "office" by God Himself. This is all I mean when I speak of an office. I simply refer to a minsitry position to which people are only called by God. It is with this understanding that I say the Apostles and Prophets were offices which fulfilled their purpose, by definition, at the founding of the Church. Is the Church complete? Of course not! That is why pastors, teachers, and evangelists are still working to apply God's Word in the hearts, minds, and lives of people today. Does God still speak to us today? Of course He does! He speaks primarily through His Word, but He also speaks through the indwelling Spirit. However, the Spirit will always be in harmony with the Word. I hope this explains my position a little better. Even if we disagree on this issue, we are still brothers. My only concern, not with you, is that many who promote the restoration of the ministry of an "Apostle" also promote the believe that God gives ongoing "new" revelation through that office. Thus, their theology tends to be very wacky! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |