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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: Prerequisite-infallibility? |
Bible Note: Dear charis, You have stated, "So now we have prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, but no apostles, right?" Just how do you define the word "apostle"? The NIV Study Bible defines it in this way (1 Cor. 12:28 commentary): "apostles. Those chosen by Christ during his earthly ministry to be with him and to go out and preach (Mark 3:14). They were also to be witnesses of the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). The term may occasionally have been used in a broader sense (Romans 16:7; Galatians 1:19)." So dear brother charis, we cannot begin to use this word and assign it as the particular "task" of an individual unless you properly define it and what you mean by it.. Are you an "apostle", charis? You have also stated, "Please, tell me what the 'Biblical sense' apostle is? Is he perfect, without sin, fault, or trespass? Must he have written a book of the Bible? Must he have uttered a never-before-spoken revelation from God? If these are requirements, then several apostles in the Word are not apostles." Never did I say that an apostle was infallible or somehow devoid of their sinful nature. To make such an assumption, one would be reasoning contrary to Romans 3:23 and other passages, since there is only one who was 'without blemish' (2 Cor. 5:21). Charis, you have also stated, "I think that I am fighting against the opinion that 'some are false apostles, so there are no longer any apostles.' In my humble opinion, the fact that we are warned about false apostles proves that there are apostles!" The only places in Scripture where it even mentions "false apostles" is 2 Cor. 11:13 and Rev. 2:2. In my opinion, neither verse should be interpreted to suggest that there are true, genuine apostles today because of the fact that they mention 'false apostles'. This is given to us as a warning, not a presentation of an 'office'. You have also stated, "To claim that the (organized) church is now His spokesman is laughable :-)" Well, charis, that is all that we have in this world that represents Christ (the organized church), and I would not find that 'laughable'. We are His representatives here on this earth, and that is something that should not be 'laughed' at, regardless of your disdain of denominations. --Nolan |