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NASB | Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], |
Subject: Are there any true prophets/prophetss' t |
Bible Note: Greetings Brad! Again, thanks for the response my friend! I am familiar with this particular theory. I was first exposed to it down in Florida, many years ago, while I was visiting a Pilgrim Holiness Church. I notice that several responses have been given to your post. I haven't read them yet, so I apologize if I repeat anything. My difficulties with this particular view are severalfold. 1) 1 Cor. 13 does not give a timetable for the doing away with the gifts. The only identifier listed is 'when that which is perfect is come'. My understanding of the passage has always been that these gifts will be done away with when Christ returns, since that is the only time when we will 'know as we have been known'. But, this illustrates my point. 'When that which is perfect has come' could mean almost anything. 2) Heb. 1:1-2 says nothing about the completion of the canon. In fact, it is not certain that it says anything about the cessation of prophecy. Evidence for this includes the fact that the canon was not closed with the completion of Hebrews, as it was not the last book written. My understanding of this verse is that it deals with the superiority of direct revelation from Jesus Christ as compared to revelation given through the prophets. This would make sense given that other writings of Scripture were yet to come when this verse was written. 3) Finally, the most telling argument against this view is that prophets are yet to appear according to Revelation 11. Perhaps part of our modern difficulties with prophecy is that we only tend to think of prophecy as foretelling. However, forthtelling was a much more characteristic of prophecy. In other words, applying God's Word to a group of people in terms of their society is also prophecy. For instance, read the minor prophets. They very seldom deal with future events. Most of what they have to say concerns their present culture. Well, I have to read these other posts my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |