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Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 7307 **3/9/13 12:51 pm**

The Twelve (including Paul) were just that twelve in number.

I have yet to meet an American who could claim the title.

Unless it were Bro B. H. Clendennen.

Bro Moses Choudary would be the closest to one that I know personally.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God

www.spwc.church

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/9/13 12:54 pm**

Is see no scriptural indication that any of the gifts of the Father, Son, or the Spirit have ceased in the sense of Him somehow withdrawing them.

That said, I don't believe God is still inspiring people to write Scripture today, so to that extent I suppose all evangelicals are cessationist; no one today carries the kind of authority to write Holy Scripture (or to supercede the Holy Scriptures, as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox do with their appeal to "Holy Tradition" as authoritative) like the early apostles and their protégés did.

I also would say I don't believe we should uncritically accept all claims to apostleship as being of God:

"I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (Revelation 2:2 ESV)

If there were no other apostles possible after the first generation of Christianity (scholars seem to agree that the Apocalypse was written in the latter part of the first century, when John himself was the last living of the original apostles), then verses such as the above are plainly nonsensical. If no other apostles were even possible after the first generation, ALL who called themselves such could be easily dismissed as frauds simply for making the claim. No testing needed.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5431 **3/9/13 2:03 pm**

There are different types of apostles according to the time they were appointed and the scope of their ministry.

Jesus is the Apostle of God. (Heb. 3:1)

The twelve Jesus appointed during His earthly ministry to be witnesses of His resurrection are The Apostles of the Lamb. (Mark 3:13-19)

Judas lost his place of leadership and was rightfully replaced by Mattathias, since Mattathias met the qualifications enumerated in Acts 1:22-23:

"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— 22 beginning 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.”

Paul should also be included in this group as "one born out of time" because of the circumstances of His calling on the Damascus road. The original twelve, including Mattathias and excluding Judas, are the apostles of the Lamb to the Jews, and Paul is an apostle of the Lamb to the Gentiles.

The third group of apostles are post-Ascension apostles. They are the apostles of Ephesians 4, ascension gifts of Christ to His Church, and are rightfully designated Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Barnabas and Silas, who accompanied Paul, fit into this category of apostle.

It is important to point out that not all New Testament scripture was written by an apostle. Luke was not an apostle, neither was Mark, James, or Jude.
_________________
Randy Johnson, Pastor
Ickesburg Church of God
85 Tuscarora Path
Ickesburg, Pennsylvania

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/9/13 3:06 pm**

Acts-celerater Posts: 593 **3/9/13 4:10 pm**

They have regular programs on TBN and Daystar.

Charismatic Entertainers

Friendly Face Posts: 473 **3/9/13 6:12 pm**

Diamonds have neither the sparkle nor clarity of cubic zirconia. I certainly believe that (Joel 2:28,29 Acts 2:14-39) there has been no change in the working of the Holy Spirit among mankind since the day of Pentecost. Surely, there are men and women today anointed to serve as apostles and prophets. However, those who promote themselves as Apostles and Prophets, IMHO, are by virtue of their own proclaimation, not. We have come to an era in the church where religious entertainment has become confused with ministry.

All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgement old
Your answer had not been inscroll'd
Fare you well, your suit is cold.
(W. S.)
_________________
http://areyoureadyfortherapture.blogspot.com/

Acts-celerater Posts: 566 **3/9/13 6:16 pm**

Quiet Wyatt...on what do you base that assertion?

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **3/9/13 6:25 pm**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/9/13 6:46 pm**

Aaron, as you know, we've been down that pointless argumentative road before. Please refer to all the previous arguments we've had before on that point.

If so have other positions ceased

Acts Mod Posts: 3346 **3/9/13 6:52 pm**

Eph 4:11-13 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. NASB

Remember I am a simple man. I do not know Greek. But as I understand this Scripture above Jesus placed "apostles", "prophets", "evangelist", "pastors" and "teachers" in the church. Some say that that there are only four offices, that "pastor/teacher" are the same. (This is not my arguement here).

Where does Scipture suggest He removed the office of "apostles"?

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **3/9/13 7:35 pm**

Apostles

Acts-celerater Posts: 552 **3/9/13 8:00 pm**

Why would anyone want to call themself an Apostle?
On what grounds would they determine this?

All I know is that every person I have seen or heard about that puts the title "Apostle" before their name looks and acts like anything but an Apostle. They are almost always ostentatious, flashy, gawdy and seeking affirmation. I will not use the term "narcissistic" because they seem to be very insecure.

Probably just me, but I have refused through the years to put "Reverend" in front of my name. Some tagged me as being Church of Christ. The only prefix I permitted was "Pastor" and felt humbled by that title.

As far as I am concerned, forget all of the titles and just tag me as being "real" or "genuine" or "honest" and I will feel honored beyond measure.
_________________
We always reap what we sow. Remember...the quality of your future is decided by the choices you make today.

Re: Apostles

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5431 **3/9/13 8:09 pm**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5431 **3/9/13 8:10 pm**

Of course, not only only do those who call themselves apostles exhibit all the negative traits listed in this thread, but they also hijack and pervert the meaning of the word and bring it into disrepute.
_________________
Randy Johnson, Pastor
Ickesburg Church of God
85 Tuscarora Path
Ickesburg, Pennsylvania

Acts Mod Posts: 3346 **3/9/13 8:19 pm**

I am not interested in the flashy one who call themselves apostles only for a title. I want to hear from a real apostle.

I can think of one. David Wilkerson. Some would consider him a prophet and I will agree with that, but I see him as an apostle.

One of our very own would be T.L. Lowery.

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/9/13 9:45 pm**

Men and women are sent "apostled" all the time in the sense of missionaries, especially those who blaze the trail into unreached areas.

I'm starting a message series on the 5 fold ministry...

Acts-celerater Posts: 841 **3/9/13 10:07 pm**

And so glad to see this topic come up.

Anyone have an good material on this. Would love to have a broader knowledge on the 5-fold ministry.

Not crazy about calling it that, but its just what I've heard them called.

Re: I'm starting a message series on the 5 fold ministry...

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5431 **3/9/13 10:27 pm**

There were at least 19 Apostle's

Friendly Face Posts: 276 **3/10/13 7:32 am**

The word "apostle" means "to send forth".

Jesus originally picked twelve (Mat. 12:2-4).

Matthias was picked to replace Judas (Acts 1:22). #13

Paul was an Apostle (Acts 14:14) #14

Barnabas was an Apostle (Acts 14:14). #15

James the brother of Jesus was an Apostle (Galatians 1:19). #16

Andronicus and Junia were Apostles (Romans 16:7) #'s 17 & 18

Christ was considered an Apostle as well (Heb. 3:1) which makes #19

Re: Are there apostles today???

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **3/10/13 12:44 pm**