Modern Apostles

PublishedBy Patch BlakeyHave you ever met an apostle? I mean someone who claims to be like Peter, James, John, or Paul. Maybe, maybe not. One of my friends was approached by a self-proclaimed modern apostle during a conference. Some churches teach the continuation of the apostolic ministry in the present, while some Christians, in an attempt to avoid a confrontation on the subject, give a rodeo to say that they are only "filling the apostolic office." The implication is that the function is somehow different from the position (or ministry), as if such a thing as possible to fill the role of an ambassador without being an ambassador. Where is the authority that supports this?What should we think of this? The Bible says that the position of apostle is the preeminent ministry in the church (speaking of the historic church). "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of tongues" (1 Cor. 12:28, cf. Eph. 4:11). The position of apostle of the New Testament is above prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, to name a few. Therefore, a modern apostle claims for itself a wealth of authority.But is this apostolic ministry force in the modern church? How do we know? The answer probably depends on whether the person believes the foundation of the church has already been made, or if the concrete is still leaning.Paul says that the apostles played a key role in the establishment of the church:"Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ Himself" (Eph. 2:20). Elsewhere, Paul says that he laid the foundation:"By the grace of God that was given to me as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it but every man take heed how he builds" (1 Cor. 3:10). Apparently, the foundation has been laid and the concrete has dried two millennia. But while these passages suggest that the apostle ministry is no longer required, some may say they are not definitive.What if some have claimed it signals that identify them as apostles?Paul claimed it for himself before the church at Corinth: "But the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, wonders and miracles" (2 Cor. 12:12). But these signs are proof enough for someone who claims to be an apostle? Paul indicated that there may be false apostles: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13). How can we distinguish between true and false apostle based on the fact that both claim to have made the signs of an apostle? This in itself is not yet enough evidence to affirm or deny the current validity of the ministry of an apostle.But there is more we can use detector, and this may be to reach a definitive conclusion. Paul said that all the apostles had seen the risen Lord: "Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles" (1 Cor. 15:7). All you have to do is ask our alleged modern apostles if they have seen the risen Lord. If they say no, do not pass the test and should apologize for his false claim. But what happens if they say yes? Paul seems to indicate that possibly had a special experience in which ascended to the third heaven and saw the Lord, "Surely I should boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or out of body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven "(1 Cor. 12: 1-2 .) What if our assumption apostle said to have had a similar experience? This is not a science project in which experiments can be carried out repeatedly. Do we accept your word or not?If he says he has seen the Lord, we know that is not an apostle, but a liar. How do we know this? Because the Bible says so. Paul writes that there was an end to those who saw the risen Lord, and Paul was the apostle who last saw him. "And last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me" (1 Cor. 15:8). What else besides "last" Paul meant when he said "last of all"? The clear testimony of Scripture is that after the apostle Paul no one saw the risen Lord. Any attempt to distort the Scriptures to say otherwise is a violation of the text. A true apostle must affirm the Scriptures. A denial at this point is for an alleged informer fatally apostle.The Bible says the apostle ministry and provides methods to identify it. Fortunately, it also marks the limits within which the apostles served the church. There were no more apostles after Paul. The modern apostles should be classified as false apostles.