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they are not equal missionary's are to help the church and spead the word of Christ to the nations ofcourse
But Apostles are called to all 5 offices and are able to move in them
missionaries are not
But Apostles are called to all 5 offices and are able to move in them
missionaries are not
I believe some missionaries are apostles, but one does not have to be a missionary to be an apostle. If the apostle James never ventured out of Jewish territory, then he didn't fulfill the cross-cultural or cross-national we associated with being a 'missionary', but he was still an apostle.
I don't see any evidence that an individual local church is supposed to have some guy in a role similar to the modern role of 'senior pastor' and have the label 'apostle.' Matthew 10 and Acts 13 show us something about apostles. They are sent out to preach and do the mission the Lord has given them. Acts does not call Paul an apostle until after he is sent out in Acts 13. He goes around preaching from city to city. He and Barnabas did evangelistic and teaching work, bringing the Gospel to new areas and laying the foundation of Christ.
To Whom Did Jesus Appear after His Death?
The main reason the disciples believed in the resurrection of Jesus is that they saw Him alive after He was dead. Jesus presented Himself alive on a number of different occasions to His followers.
Thus we see them testifying, time and time again, to the fact they were eyewitnesses of His resurrection. This firsthand evidence of the disciples is a powerful argument for the resurrection of Christ. The disciples knew that He had risen because they saw Him with their own eyes.
Jesus' Testimony About His Resurrection
First, we have Jesus' own personal testimony is that He was raised from the dead.
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18).
Luke records Jesus' saying.
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have (Luke 24:39).
The Various Appearances Of Jesus
Many different people saw Jesus after the resurrection. The appearances were as follows.
Mary Magdalene
The first appearance of Jesus was to Mary Magdalene.
Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!' She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni!' (which is to say, Teacher) (John 20:14-16).
This appearance was totally unexpected.
Mary The Mother Of James, Salome, And Joanna
Jesus also appeared to these three women. This happened after the appearance to Mary Magdalene. After an angel told them Jesus had risen, they were on their way to tell Jesus' disciples when they met the risen Christ
And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him (Matthew 28:9).
Again, we have another unexpected appearance. As was true with Mary Magdalene, these women touched the body of Jesus.
Peter
Peter is the first person mentioned in Paul's list of witnesses, and is the first of the apostles to see the risen Christ. This was a private appearance to reassure him, since he had just denied his Lord. The gospels are completely silent as to the details of this meeting. Luke merely wrote:
The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! (Luke 24:34).
Two Disciples On The Emmaus Road
Later on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place. And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him (Luke 24:13-16).
As was true with the women, these two disciples were not expecting Jesus to rise. In fact, they were leaving Jerusalem because they had lost hope in Him.
The Disciples - Thomas Absent
This is the last of the five appearances of Jesus on Easter Sunday. It took place in the evening, probably in the upper room in which Jesus had instituted the Lord's Supper. It is recorded in both Luke's and John's gospel, giving us two independent accounts as to what happened. John wrote:
When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when he had said this, he showed them both his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. . . But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came (John 20:19,20,24).
All Of The Disciples
Eight days later He appeared again - this time with Thomas present.
And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!' Then he said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and My God!' (John 20:26-28).
Seven Disciples At The Sea Of Galilee
Another appearance was to seven disciples on the Sea of Galilee.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and he manifested himself in this way. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples (John 20:1,2).
A Mountain In Galilee
There is also the account of Jesus appearing before His eleven disciples in Galilee.
But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw him, they worshiped him; but some were doubtful (Matthew 28:16,17).
Over Five Hundred People
On another occasion, Jesus appeared to over five hundred people at one time.
After that he was seen by over five hundred people at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:6).
James
Scripture also says that Jesus appeared to His half-brother James.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7).
The details of this appearance are not recorded.
Saul
After Jesus' ascension He appeared again - this time to Saul of Tarsus.
And as he [Saul] traveled he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are your persecuting me?' And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting' (Acts 9:3-5).
These are the appearances of Jesus that the New Testament records. They caused His disciples to believe that He had risen from the dead. Luke says that Jesus showed Himself alive with many convincing proofs.
To these he also presented himself alive after his suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3)
Summary
The Bible says that Jesus made a number of appearances after His death. They were to a number of different people over a forty-day period. The Bible specifically says that on Easter Sunday Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the women that came to Jesus tomb (Mary the Mother of James, Salome, and Joanna), Peter, and two disciples on the Emmaus road. He also appeared to the remainder of the Twelve Disciples with Thomas absent. Later he appeared to them with Thomas present. There was also an appearance to seven disciples on the Sea of Galilee. On another occasion he appeared to over five hundred people at the same time. There is also an appearance to James. Finally Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus – the man who became the Apostle Paul. These appearances convinced His disciples, beyond any doubt, that He had risen from the dead.
Blue Letter Bible - Don Stewart FAQs :: To Whom Did Jesus Appear after His Death? < click
John 15
26"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Acts 1:2
until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1
21"Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- 22beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." 23So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias
Luke 24:48
47and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48"You are witnesses of these things.
Mark 16:
The Ascension
19So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.
1 Corinthians 9:5
The Rights of the Apostles
…4Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?
1 Corinthians 15
1Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;7then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.9For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.11Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Ephesians 2:20
A Temple in the Lord
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
1 Corinthians 3
10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Luke 1:2
Dedication to Theophilus
1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus
The main reason the disciples believed in the resurrection of Jesus is that they saw Him alive after He was dead. Jesus presented Himself alive on a number of different occasions to His followers.
Thus we see them testifying, time and time again, to the fact they were eyewitnesses of His resurrection. This firsthand evidence of the disciples is a powerful argument for the resurrection of Christ. The disciples knew that He had risen because they saw Him with their own eyes.
Jesus' Testimony About His Resurrection
First, we have Jesus' own personal testimony is that He was raised from the dead.
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18).
Luke records Jesus' saying.
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have (Luke 24:39).
The Various Appearances Of Jesus
Many different people saw Jesus after the resurrection. The appearances were as follows.
Mary Magdalene
The first appearance of Jesus was to Mary Magdalene.
Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!' She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni!' (which is to say, Teacher) (John 20:14-16).
This appearance was totally unexpected.
Mary The Mother Of James, Salome, And Joanna
Jesus also appeared to these three women. This happened after the appearance to Mary Magdalene. After an angel told them Jesus had risen, they were on their way to tell Jesus' disciples when they met the risen Christ
And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him (Matthew 28:9).
Again, we have another unexpected appearance. As was true with Mary Magdalene, these women touched the body of Jesus.
Peter
Peter is the first person mentioned in Paul's list of witnesses, and is the first of the apostles to see the risen Christ. This was a private appearance to reassure him, since he had just denied his Lord. The gospels are completely silent as to the details of this meeting. Luke merely wrote:
The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! (Luke 24:34).
Two Disciples On The Emmaus Road
Later on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place. And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him (Luke 24:13-16).
As was true with the women, these two disciples were not expecting Jesus to rise. In fact, they were leaving Jerusalem because they had lost hope in Him.
The Disciples - Thomas Absent
This is the last of the five appearances of Jesus on Easter Sunday. It took place in the evening, probably in the upper room in which Jesus had instituted the Lord's Supper. It is recorded in both Luke's and John's gospel, giving us two independent accounts as to what happened. John wrote:
When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when he had said this, he showed them both his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. . . But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came (John 20:19,20,24).
All Of The Disciples
Eight days later He appeared again - this time with Thomas present.
And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!' Then he said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and My God!' (John 20:26-28).
Seven Disciples At The Sea Of Galilee
Another appearance was to seven disciples on the Sea of Galilee.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and he manifested himself in this way. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples (John 20:1,2).
A Mountain In Galilee
There is also the account of Jesus appearing before His eleven disciples in Galilee.
But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw him, they worshiped him; but some were doubtful (Matthew 28:16,17).
Over Five Hundred People
On another occasion, Jesus appeared to over five hundred people at one time.
After that he was seen by over five hundred people at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:6).
James
Scripture also says that Jesus appeared to His half-brother James.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7).
The details of this appearance are not recorded.
Saul
After Jesus' ascension He appeared again - this time to Saul of Tarsus.
And as he [Saul] traveled he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are your persecuting me?' And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting' (Acts 9:3-5).
These are the appearances of Jesus that the New Testament records. They caused His disciples to believe that He had risen from the dead. Luke says that Jesus showed Himself alive with many convincing proofs.
To these he also presented himself alive after his suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3)
Summary
The Bible says that Jesus made a number of appearances after His death. They were to a number of different people over a forty-day period. The Bible specifically says that on Easter Sunday Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the women that came to Jesus tomb (Mary the Mother of James, Salome, and Joanna), Peter, and two disciples on the Emmaus road. He also appeared to the remainder of the Twelve Disciples with Thomas absent. Later he appeared to them with Thomas present. There was also an appearance to seven disciples on the Sea of Galilee. On another occasion he appeared to over five hundred people at the same time. There is also an appearance to James. Finally Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus – the man who became the Apostle Paul. These appearances convinced His disciples, beyond any doubt, that He had risen from the dead.
Blue Letter Bible - Don Stewart FAQs :: To Whom Did Jesus Appear after His Death? < click
John 15
26"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Acts 1:2
until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1
21"Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- 22beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." 23So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias
Luke 24:48
47and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48"You are witnesses of these things.
Mark 16:
The Ascension
19So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.
1 Corinthians 9:5
The Rights of the Apostles
…4Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?
1 Corinthians 15
1Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;7then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.9For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.11Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Ephesians 2:20
A Temple in the Lord
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
1 Corinthians 3
10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Luke 1:2
Dedication to Theophilus
1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus
P
Yes..
1 Corinthians 12:1
[ Concerning Spiritual Gifts ] Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:30
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:31
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. [ Love Is Indispensable ] And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1
[ Intelligibility in Worship ] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:12
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 12:1
[ Concerning Spiritual Gifts ] Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:30
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:31
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. [ Love Is Indispensable ] And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1
[ Intelligibility in Worship ] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:12
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Christ appointed Twelve apostles before His ascension. We also see from scripture that there were apostles gifted after the ascension.
The twelve were made apostles before the ascension. At the ascension, Christ received the gift of 'apostles', among other gifts, and gave these gifts to men. Paul became an apostle after the ascension. Various other people are referred to as apostles after the ascension, Barnabas, Apollos, Timothy, Silas, Epaphraditus, and possibly Andronichus and Junia.
The twelve were made apostles before the ascension. At the ascension, Christ received the gift of 'apostles', among other gifts, and gave these gifts to men. Paul became an apostle after the ascension. Various other people are referred to as apostles after the ascension, Barnabas, Apollos, Timothy, Silas, Epaphraditus, and possibly Andronichus and Junia.
K
Pretty much. Paul wrote to, what, 13 churches that we know of? I'm sure he worked in way more cities. But read the whole thing. Paul had his own tentmaker business, and thus could stay longer wherever he was wanted. Also, you will see that everyone is welcomed, in case they might be an apostle of prophet (Heb. 13:2), and there is a discernment process. Once he had a rep, churches welcomed him to stay longer.
K
The related webpage has been pulled I think, as I have not seen it for over two years, or I would put the link up.
There was a man named John Ruthven, who from 1930 to about 2008 was an evangelist, and a true apostle, having founded hundreds of churches by the simple gimmick of having a portable prefab church on a trailer, and spending six days in each town in the western US. Tuesday-Friday he knocked on doors, and invited people to watch the assembly of the building on Saturday. Then he led the inaugural service on Sunday. Monday was his day off, so he moved to the next town. The church plants that took, he got pastors assigned to. He retired in 1980, continuing only door-to-door work until his death.
In retirement, he started a church in Lincoln, NE, which my wife and I attended. At one point, he offered us his ministry, which we turned down, as times had changed and God was now moving in TV, rather than this type of work. The man never called himself an apostle, and had no role in this church other than being honored as an older, successful retired pastor.
The pastor he appointed to run the church threw my wife and me out of the church for refusing to disclose a counseling confidence. That pastor was gone in two weeks.
That is the difference between a senior pastor being called an apostle, and a real apostle.
There was a man named John Ruthven, who from 1930 to about 2008 was an evangelist, and a true apostle, having founded hundreds of churches by the simple gimmick of having a portable prefab church on a trailer, and spending six days in each town in the western US. Tuesday-Friday he knocked on doors, and invited people to watch the assembly of the building on Saturday. Then he led the inaugural service on Sunday. Monday was his day off, so he moved to the next town. The church plants that took, he got pastors assigned to. He retired in 1980, continuing only door-to-door work until his death.
In retirement, he started a church in Lincoln, NE, which my wife and I attended. At one point, he offered us his ministry, which we turned down, as times had changed and God was now moving in TV, rather than this type of work. The man never called himself an apostle, and had no role in this church other than being honored as an older, successful retired pastor.
The pastor he appointed to run the church threw my wife and me out of the church for refusing to disclose a counseling confidence. That pastor was gone in two weeks.
That is the difference between a senior pastor being called an apostle, and a real apostle.
1
I really think we need to look at descriptors used when the temple that God is building is described.
Jesus is called a cornerstone.
Apostles/Prophets are called foundation.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers, are not given any type of description like cornerstone or foundation.
Jesus being called a cornerstone indicates it's a once and for all thing.
We won't be looking for any more Jesuses.
One shot deal.
THE cornerstone of the temple.
A building only has one cornerstone.
Apostles/prophets are considered foundation in that temple.
That like the cornerstone, indicates it's a one time, not continued thing.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers on the other hand, are not given a once and for all descriptor such as cornerstone, or foundation, which indicates it's not a one time happening, but continues.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers, proclaim the once and for all work of Jesus the cornerstone, and they rely on the once and for all teaching of the apostles/prophets foundation.
Jesus is the cornerstone, and apostles/prophets are foundation, because they form the basis of the work which evangelists, pastors, teachers carryout.
Eph 2
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For through him we both haveaccess in one Spirit to the Father.[SUP]19 [/SUP]So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[SUP][d][/SUP] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,[SUP]20 [/SUP]built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,[SUP]21 [/SUP]in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.[SUP]22 [/SUP]In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[SUP][e][/SUP] the Spirit.
Eph 4
[SUP]10 [/SUP]He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [SUP]11 [/SUP]And he gave the apostles, the prophets, theevangelists, the shepherds[SUP][c][/SUP] and teachers,[SUP][d][/SUP] [SUP]12 [/SUP]to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [SUP]13 [/SUP]until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[SUP][e][/SUP] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [SUP]14 [/SUP]so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Jesus is called a cornerstone.
Apostles/Prophets are called foundation.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers, are not given any type of description like cornerstone or foundation.
Jesus being called a cornerstone indicates it's a once and for all thing.
We won't be looking for any more Jesuses.
One shot deal.
THE cornerstone of the temple.
A building only has one cornerstone.
Apostles/prophets are considered foundation in that temple.
That like the cornerstone, indicates it's a one time, not continued thing.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers on the other hand, are not given a once and for all descriptor such as cornerstone, or foundation, which indicates it's not a one time happening, but continues.
Evangelists, pastors, teachers, proclaim the once and for all work of Jesus the cornerstone, and they rely on the once and for all teaching of the apostles/prophets foundation.
Jesus is the cornerstone, and apostles/prophets are foundation, because they form the basis of the work which evangelists, pastors, teachers carryout.
Eph 2
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For through him we both haveaccess in one Spirit to the Father.[SUP]19 [/SUP]So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[SUP][d][/SUP] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,[SUP]20 [/SUP]built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,[SUP]21 [/SUP]in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.[SUP]22 [/SUP]In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[SUP][e][/SUP] the Spirit.
Eph 4
[SUP]10 [/SUP]He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [SUP]11 [/SUP]And he gave the apostles, the prophets, theevangelists, the shepherds[SUP][c][/SUP] and teachers,[SUP][d][/SUP] [SUP]12 [/SUP]to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [SUP]13 [/SUP]until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[SUP][e][/SUP] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [SUP]14 [/SUP]so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
To me this whole thing is simple.
Jesus whilst on earth called and elected 12 Apostles...
Later Judas was replaced.
Then Paul was called and elected by command of Christ to be the apostle to the gentiles.
After this there are no Apostles..in this sense..
If a man is now calling himself an apostle he is either deluded or he believes his own self grandeur!
Jesus whilst on earth called and elected 12 Apostles...
Later Judas was replaced.
Then Paul was called and elected by command of Christ to be the apostle to the gentiles.
After this there are no Apostles..in this sense..
If a man is now calling himself an apostle he is either deluded or he believes his own self grandeur!
1
That's the thing.
Modern day apostles do have grandeur.
Biblical apostles were naked, homeless, scorned, flogged, whipped.
The closest a modern day "apostle" comes to whipped, is maybe whipped cream on his chocolate soufflé as he flies to his next crusade on his private jet. Original Apostles got flogged. Modern apostles spend their time flogging their hearers with their coats as they get slain or whatever.
Modern day apostles do have grandeur.
Biblical apostles were naked, homeless, scorned, flogged, whipped.
The closest a modern day "apostle" comes to whipped, is maybe whipped cream on his chocolate soufflé as he flies to his next crusade on his private jet. Original Apostles got flogged. Modern apostles spend their time flogging their hearers with their coats as they get slain or whatever.
D
Stilly, that is guilt by association. Pride, hubris and grandeur exists in many people. I know a man who lives with his mother at age 50, unemployed and reviled by many because he thinks he is always right, perfect and believes he is better than anyone he has ever met. I also know many people who are humble and selfless.
To say all who claim to be apostles are "whipped cream" is your own attempt to discredit them all because you can point to a televangelist nut who claims to be an apostle.
To say all who claim to be apostles are "whipped cream" is your own attempt to discredit them all because you can point to a televangelist nut who claims to be an apostle.