Apostles and Prophets
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Since we have a topic on false prophets, let us established what is the office of Apostles and Prophets
one thing we know, these are offices in the Body of Christ (ie. Church ) given to perform specific tasks, to edify, build, and guide the Church (ie. believers), and these 'office bearers' are appointed and annointed by God, not men.
In the Early church, they are very active as they goes about their tasks.
In the modern church context, is there still a place for these office?
This is my personal opinion, In the past,
Prophets (mainly mentioned in OT) were needed to proclaim the word of God to His people in regard to the things God wants them to do or to follow or the things that will be coming.
Apostles (mainly in NT) on the other hand went about teaching, guilding and prononcing the good news of the gospel, and about the things that Christ had tell and/or show them, being the witness to His resurrection.
One thing they do have in common is that God confirms their appointment through signs and wonders.
In the current church context, is there still a need for them? does God still appoints such office bearers?
There are many differing views on this, lets have a meaningful discussion on this topic (and if anyone feels needed, can also discuss on the type of things they do in the past as well)
God bless
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very de cheem
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if i say apostles should be martyred .. who still want to be apostle?
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Only those empowered by Holy Spirit....Originally posted by Icemoon:if i say apostles should be martyred .. who still want to be apostle? -
Christ appointed the Apostles to lead the Church after His Ascension. But who would lead the Church after the Apostles died? They are the Bishops, who were appointed by the Apostles, having recieved the authority to rule the Church passed down from Christ to the Apostles.
It is true that no more Apostles are appointed, but the leadership and ministerial office remains in form of the Episcopate. -
Like what u say vince, a prophet "proclaim the word of God to His people in regard to the things God wants them to do or to follow or the things that will be coming." "Apostles (mainly in NT) on the other hand went about teaching, guilding and prononcing the good news of the gospel, and about the things that Christ had tell and/or show them, being the witness to His resurrection."Originally posted by vince69:Since we have a topic on false prophets, let us established what is the office of Apostles and Prophets
one thing we know, these are offices in the Body of Christ (ie. Church ) given to perform specific tasks, to edify, build, and guide the Church (ie. believers), and these 'office bearers' are appointed and annointed by God, not men.
In the Early church, they are very active as they goes about their tasks.
In the modern church context, is there still a place for these office?
This is my personal opinion, In the past,
Prophets (mainly mentioned in OT) were needed to proclaim the word of God to His people in regard to the things God wants them to do or to follow or the things that will be coming.
Apostles (mainly in NT) on the other hand went about teaching, guilding and prononcing the good news of the gospel, and about the things that Christ had tell and/or show them, being the witness to His resurrection.
One thing they do have in common is that God confirms their appointment through signs and wonders.
In the current church context, is there still a need for them? does God still appoints such office bearers?
There are many differing views on this, lets have a meaningful discussion on this topic (and if anyone feels needed, can also discuss on the type of things they do in the past as well)
God bless
So arent those who tell us the word of God in church abt what God wants us to do or follow or things that will come considered prophets like what u said? Arent most pastors telling us God's word in church abt all these things? As to why i consider certain pastors as prophets bcos they claim to have new revelation from God to the ppl or they relay messages from God to his church.
As to apostles according to ur defn, i think all dont qualify bcos who has seen Jesus personally & physically & witnessed His death & resurrection personally?
But what abt those who have seen Jesus in a vision whether closed or open? Or what abt those who have seen Jesus appear physically in the flesh? What are they called then? -
Aren't Paul and Barnabas Apostles? Yet they did not witness to Christ's earthly ministry?Originally posted by Repented John 2:Like what u say vince, a prophet "proclaim the word of God to His people in regard to the things God wants them to do or to follow or the things that will be coming." "Apostles (mainly in NT) on the other hand went about teaching, guilding and prononcing the good news of the gospel, and about the things that Christ had tell and/or show them, being the witness to His resurrection."
So arent those who tell us the word of God in church abt what God wants us to do or follow or things that will come considered prophets like what u said? Arent most pastors telling us God's word in church abt all these things? As to why i consider certain pastors as prophets bcos they claim to have new revelation from God to the ppl or they relay messages from God to his church.
As to apostles according to ur defn, i think all dont qualify bcos who has seen Jesus personally & physically & witnessed His death & resurrection personally?
But what abt those who have seen Jesus in a vision whether closed or open? Or what abt those who have seen Jesus appear physically in the flesh? What are they called then?
There is no more new revelation. All has already been revealed. -
So can i say the highest office one can go now is an Evangelist? Like Billy Graham etc?Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Aren't Paul and Barnabas Apostles? Yet they did not witness to Christ's earthly ministry?
There is no more new revelation. All has already been revealed.
But i seem not to agree bcos the bible says that the Holy Spirit gives some to be apostles & prophets etc. & Paul was speaking post Jesus earthly ministry. -
There are only three offices. Bishop, Priest and Deacon.Originally posted by Repented John 2:So can i say the highest office one can go now is an Evangelist? Like Billy Graham etc?
But i seem not to agree bcos the bible says that the Holy Spirit gives some to be apostles & prophets etc. & Paul was speaking post Jesus earthly ministry. -
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wah kao .. the true mark of a cessationist!Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Aren't Paul and Barnabas Apostles? Yet they did not witness to Christ's earthly ministry?
There is no more new revelation. All has already been revealed. -
why? bible not enough? still want to rely on new things?Originally posted by Icemoon:wah kao .. the true mark of a cessationist!
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woot!Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:why? bible not enough? still want to rely on new things?
Are you sure you're catholic? -
......subject to the interpretation of Mother Church.Originally posted by Icemoon:woot!
Are you sure you're catholic? 
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This is so true, even the Apostle Paul, also praise the Bearans for checking his teaching against that which was written (probably OT then) and see if they match.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Aren't Paul and Barnabas Apostles? Yet they did not witness to Christ's earthly ministry?
There is no more new revelation. All has already been revealed.
Meaning, evening Apostles teaching must be inline with the Scriptural principles/writtings. Cannot anyhow say one...
God Bless -
different office serve different purpose, so cannot compare like this one, there is only One Highest Office, but this job already done, that is the Head of all Christian Churches.... Jesus Christ ....Originally posted by Repented John 2:So can i say the highest office one can go now is an Evangelist? Like Billy Graham etc?
But i seem not to agree bcos the bible says that the Holy Spirit gives some to be apostles & prophets etc. & Paul was speaking post Jesus earthly ministry.
God Bless -
Oh ok. So they are all important & equal.Originally posted by vince69:different office serve different purpose, so cannot compare like this one, there is only One Highest Office, but this job already done, that is the Head of all Christian Churches.... Jesus Christ ....
God Bless
Yes, Jesus is the Head of all Christian Churches. Praise Him! -
I am too afraid to contribute to this thread. I do not believe the office of apostieship and prophecy still exist. Yet I am not willing go beyond this, lest, I be branded as heretic.
Sorry Vince.... -
so what's the job scope of the Bishop, the Deacon and the Priest? Any differences?
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whilst the role of apostle and prophet do not exist per se, I believe that the gifts of apostleship and prophecy do exist, these are gifts that when exercised properly, can serve to edify and build up the church. My two cents worth.
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The Deacon has the basic powers of Holy Orders, and is allowed preach and confer blessings. Deacons aid the Priests and Bishops in any way that is needed. Deacons also serve the people, especially the poor and the needy. The Deacons also distributes Communion. They are like a bridge between the clergy and the laity.Originally posted by nightzip:so what's the job scope of the Bishop, the Deacon and the Priest? Any differences?
The Priest has more powers. He is allowed to say Mass, hear confessions and absolve sins in the name of Christ. The Priest is always on standby for sick call, bringing Christ's peace to the those in their last moments.
The Bishop exercises the fullness of Holy Orders. The Bishop is the head of a group of parishes in a certain geographical area. He has the authority to ordain Deacons and Priests. All clergy and laity are subordinate to their Bishop. St Ignatius says, "Where the Bishops are, there is the Catholic Church."
In any case, one thing is certain: All clergy must be ready to die for their flocks, if need be. We must pray for our clergy always. -
Its ok, I just want to ask the question if they still exist. I do believe they do serve a different functions. Personally, I don;t really think they are really needed, hence exist, but on the other hand I don't feel that its right to say they don't exist just because I don't think we need them.Originally posted by Chin Eng:I am too afraid to contribute to this thread. I do not believe the office of apostieship and prophecy still exist. Yet I am not willing go beyond this, lest, I be branded as heretic.
Sorry Vince.... -
the apostles and prophets were there to lay the foundational doctrines of the faith.Originally posted by vince69:Since we have a topic on false prophets, let us established what is the office of Apostles and Prophets
one thing we know, these are offices in the Body of Christ (ie. Church ) given to perform specific tasks, to edify, build, and guide the Church (ie. believers), and these 'office bearers' are appointed and annointed by God, not men.
In the Early church, they are very active as they goes about their tasks.
In the modern church context, is there still a place for these office?
This is my personal opinion, In the past,
Prophets (mainly mentioned in OT) were needed to proclaim the word of God to His people in regard to the things God wants them to do or to follow or the things that will be coming.
Apostles (mainly in NT) on the other hand went about teaching, guilding and prononcing the good news of the gospel, and about the things that Christ had tell and/or show them, being the witness to His resurrection.
One thing they do have in common is that God confirms their appointment through signs and wonders.
In the current church context, is there still a need for them? does God still appoints such office bearers?
There are many differing views on this, lets have a meaningful discussion on this topic (and if anyone feels needed, can also discuss on the type of things they do in the past as well)
God bless
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
And we know that foundations can only be laid once. This and many other reasons, there are no more prophets and apostles today. -
]Originally posted by Ironside:the apostles and prophets were there to lay the foundational doctrines of the faith.
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
And we know that foundations can only be laid once. This and many other reasons, there are no more prophets and apostles today.
Some pastors claimed that nowadays is still the same as the time of the apostles, that they have given special authority to cast out demons and to heal. What's your take abt it? -
hello there Laoda!!!!!Originally posted by laoda99:]
Some pastors claimed that nowadays is still the same as the time of the apostles, that they have given special authority to cast out demons and to heal. What's your take abt it?
About miracles and the gift of healing. I cannot dogmatically say that these are out and gone. I think it is God's soveriegn right to give this gift or not to give to persons.
for me as an evangelical. i believe that revealations has ceased. The cannon is complete. but with regards to miracles and gifts of healing, i cannot say anything dogmatic for sure.