After seeing much emotion over Apostles and Prophets in the forums
I redid my homework on the subject, and came to the biblical conclusion
again there are no Apostles and Prophets in the church. Like the ones in scripture.
This thread is to gather information before i make something of my notes
and start a new thread on the subject. Here are my questions, to those
who think there are still Apostles and Prophets.
1 Why do you think the office of Apostles and Prophets are in the church today?
2 What would they accomplish if they were?
3 And do you think it matters as I do seeing all the False Apostles and False Prophets?
4 and would you change your mind if the bible supported that there are no Apostles or Prophets?
Forgive my over simplification on the answers, but it seems to me, people will believe what they believe. And if the Holy Spirit doesn't convince you otherwise, then how will I, a mere mortal do. So I will answer your questions out of courtecy, not to impress you. I am not here for debate. I share what I know for a fact is real. If you choose not to believe me, I will not convince you, nor will I try. I will try my best to reach those who have gifts to explain to them what is going on with them so that they don't feel totally like outcasts in the world of christianity, while people that try on to figure things out can go on with what they are doing.
So to your questions.
1 Why do you think the office of Apostles and Prophets are in the church today?
For exactly the same reason as to why they were initially created. For the edification and equiping of the saints and to spread the gospel of peace.
2 What would they accomplish if they were?
If they are trained as Jesus taught His disciples one can expect the exact same thing from them, them using their gifts to their full potential for the edification and equipment of the body of Christ. And it would look the same as well. People going about aiding others. Miracles flowing, etc.
3 And do you think it matters as I do seeing all the False Apostles and False Prophets?
False Apostles and False Prophets are a part of life, just like their is false Christians. One cannot deny it. One can try to teach the young not to fall into their traps. But most of the time you have to aid them to get out of their own traps. You see in the time of Jesus who was commonly noticed as the false teachers...the pharisees. Yet they swore that they did correct and everyone should follow their example. We all know what Jesus thought about it. Today in the Christian world unfortunately people have become so misguided that they seek their knowledge from other men and books and try to manipulate answers according to what they belief. Few are actually listening to the Holy Spirit and ask Him truthfully what is the truth on a matter with an open mind. It is they that teach others their beliefs, which they have researched and discovered. But they did not take the time to consult Him Who has all the answers. It is they that are teaching falsely, because if your teaching does not come from the Holy Spirit, how then can you state that your teaching is truthful for the person you are giving it to. You see, just because something is truthful for you does not make it truthful. Example. Let's say you do not (per example) have the gift of a prophet, but you have the gift of talking fluently and gaining others trust easily. To you sensing what the prophet sense, would be not true. For you do not sense what he sense. You would not even know what the prophet experience. But your knowledge would be around how well you can speak to others and how well you can resolve issues using wisdom and your skill in words. So is the fact that supernatural senses exist that you can literally "see" things and "hear" things in the supernatural giving you answers to what is around you and to the person standing in front of you, is it going to exist for you. No. That is not your gift. Is it therefore truthful of the possibility for you. No. But it might be for an actual prophet with the ability born into them. And no matter how much you scream or say no it does not exist. Well let me explain it in layman's terms. Imagine a bunch of blind people, that never knew any other people since they were born were to meet one person able to see. They will not find him fascinating...they will disbelief that he can see. No matter how hard he tries to explain to them how it is like. They will never understand or comprehend since they never had it, and might never have it. And never met anyone that had it. SO surely he is lying. That is how it is for most prophets. They have abilities that the other people around them believe does not exist. For the man that can see, it is not maybe. He can see. Clear as day. And he finds it almost frustrating that the others don't believe him. As he gets older. He just talks about it less, rather then to be ridiculed. But no matter how much they ridicule him. He can see still. That is how it is with a true prophet and apostle. You either are it or not. You were born as one. You don't need anyone to tell you that you are different. That you can clearly see. It would just be nice if the rest of the christians who claim to believe in God and the Bible (in which it clearly states apostles and prophets and their tasks functions and what they do - for those who are willing to read) would actually help the youngsters not to have such a hard time getting accepted into the Body of Believers.
4 and would you change your mind if the bible supported that there are no Apostles or Prophets?
To your fourth question. I must ask this in return, if the Bible never talked about apostles or prophets throughout the entire Bible, would the Bible be the Bible then still be?
Let's take a look... shall we
Take out all the books that are assosiated with a prophet in the old and new testament, and I think that maybe you are left with one or two books.
So, would I support it... my friend, you wouldn't even support it. Because there would be no more Bible.
You asked the question already believing in an answer which you pre-ordained in your head that you might be right. Rather you should've asked why is the entire Bible assosiated with prophets and apostles if they don't exist today...
And then redo you process of thinking. The answer is simple. They do.
But if you are ernest in your questioning, and don't have your own preset ideas at a ready as such a one that is trying to convince a Jury. But you are open like a child. Then maybe, you can ask God the truth.
Peace be with you.