Recovering the Apostolic Way

[Jake1611]

Originally Posted by Sam

I attended the Apostolic Bible Institute (ABI) in St. Paul, Minnesota for one year. That was the 1956/1957 school year. It was a UPC school. Bro. S.G. Norris was the president of the school. He taught that there were never any more real apostles than 12. He taught that Matthias was not a real apostle but a mistake made by the other 11 and that Paul was the 12th and last apostle. He also taught that there have never been nor could there ever be any real prophets since the first century church. I was a fairly new Christian at the time I attended ABI, but I had read enough of the Bible in the less than 2 years that I had been saved to know that there were about 20 apostles in the New Testament. If the man, who has taught and influenced hundreds of ministers and many, many officials in the UPC was wrong about this, what else was he wrong about?

Hi Sam. I have always wondered about these extra apostles.Were they really apostles like the original 12? I have read the NT again to see what it says about these other people such as Andronicus,,Junia, etc. I have also read that there are specific qualifications in order to have been an apostle. Such as one had to have been an eyewitness of Christ.

[kingdomapostle]

Extra Apostles? Although many teach this wrong, Apostles ARE still alive and well, just as Prophets, Pastors, Evangelist, and Teachers...the other 5 fold ministries as menitoned in Eph 4:11.

[Jake1611]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

Extra Apostles? Although many teach this wrong, Apostles ARE still alive and well, just as Prophets, Pastors, Evangelist, and Teachers...the other 5 fold ministries as menitoned in Eph 4:11.

I mentioned extra because of the significant of the original 12. Theirs was a special one time mission: to lay the foundation of the church which can only be done once. We cannot lay another foundation. Also, there are very specific qualifications to be an apostle. One had to have been with Jesus or witnessed the resurrection, just to name two. Although Paul came on the scene late, he was visited by the resurrected Christ and singled out for a very important mission: to preach to the Gentiles. Paul said of himself that he was born out of time.

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by Jake1611

I mentioned extra because of the significant of the original 12. Theirs was a special one time mission: to lay the foundation of the church which can only be done once. We cannot lay another foundation. Also, there are very specific qualifications to be an apostle. One had to have been with Jesus or witnessed the resurrection, just to name two. Although Paul came on the scene late, he was visited by the resurrected Christ and singled out for a very important mission: to preach to the Gentiles. Paul said of himself that he was born out of time.

So how do you know that Paul was the LAST one to have this revelation of seeing Jesus Christ in His resurrected body???

Well, up to now, we are certain of 14 Apostles (the original 12, Matthias and Paul). Let's take a look. First, there was Barnabas. Acts 14:14 records,

"Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"

There was also Apollos, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:6-9,

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another…For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Then, there was James, the brother of Jesus Christ, who was not one of the original Twelve (there were two other apostles named James). Galatians 1:19, Paul says, "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." And there was Silvanus and Timotheus. This one slips by some people. In 1 Thessalonians, we find Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus, writing to those in Thessalonica:

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

Then later, we find them referencing themselves as Apostles...

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6)

There are two others that could be considered apostles, but it's not absolutely clear, given the language used by Paul in Romans 16:7. But that could be another two.

So, let's see, where does that leave us? Using the New Testament text, we have found at least 19, perhaps 21, men with the title of apostle. Did all 19 or 21 see the resurrected Lord? We don't know. If they did, it is not recorded in our current New Testament.

Suffice it to say, there were several other Apostles, in addition to the original 12. And while the original 11 (minus Judas) were chosen from men who had been with Christ throughout His ministry, this was never declared a universal requirement and we have numerous examples of apostles who don't meet that requirement.

Apostles are special witnesses of Christ, chosen by God to testify, to lead and teach His children and to manage the affairs of His Church. Whether it be 2000 years ago when they wore robes and sandals, or today when they wear suits and ties, apostles are special witnesses of Christ and we are blessed to have them on the Earth today.

http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Must_All...ee_Christ.html

[Jake1611]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

So how do you know that Paul was the LAST one to have this revelation of seeing Jesus Christ in His resurrected body???

1 Corinthians 15:8 LAST of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.

[kingdomapostle]

See the post above...I added additional info. LAST OF ALL, does not indicated that he was the last to see Christ. Its a matter of expression like, finally my bretheren (was that the LAST thing stated EVER or was it simply a close to his thoughts on the matter).

[Jake1611]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

See the post above...I added additional info. LAST OF ALL, does not indicated that he was the last to see Christ. Its a matter of expression like, finally my bretheren (was that the LAST thing stated EVER or was it simply a close to his thoughts on the matter).

Hi kingdomapostle. Please don't misunderstand. I am not here to argue with anyone. However, the Bible does not record any other post-resurrected visits by Christ after Paul. When we look at the very specific qualifications needed to be an Apostle, no one today qualifies. They cannot in the same category as the original 12. There may be men and women today who are doing some of the duties of an apostle. They are sent by God to do a specific work. But that does not give them the office of an Apostle.

God bless...

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by Jake1611

Hi kingdomapostle. Please don't misunderstand. I am not here to argue with anyone. However, the Bible does not record any other post-resurrected visits by Christ after Paul. When we look at the very specific qualifications needed to be an Apostle, no one today qualifies. They cannot in the same category as the original 12. There may be men and women today who are doing some of the duties of an apostle. They are sent by God to do a specific work. But that does not give them the office of an Apostle.

God bless...

We disagree. Blessings to you as well.

[Aquila]

Is the focus bigger buildings and bigger paychecks? Or is it solid soul winning discipleship? What is discipleship? How is true discipleship accomplished? Can it be done through two or three sermons a week?

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Is the focus bigger buildings and bigger paychecks? Or is it solid soul winning discipleship? What is discipleship? How is true discipleship accomplished? Can it be done through two or three sermons a week?

What does that have to do with this post? Just curious.