This Weeks Bible Question: Are there Apostles today? Or was Paul the last one?
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5 responses to Are there any Apostles today?
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That was a great, biblical, non-denominational response! Thank you Mr. Mike!
I dunno, Michael. Part of your answer is good, but please revisit your view on the Apostle count. It’s not 13. It’s TWELVE. The “Apostle” that was chosen to replace Judas was not God’s choice (he was man’s choice; chosen by the ELEVEN before they were filled (and guided) by the Holy Spirit. Matthias was not otherwise mentioned before this time, nor was he heard of since. But PAUL was added to the number of Apostles, as one untimely born. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, was very clear in his writings that he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, by the commandment of God, and not OF men, neither BY man. (See chapter 1 and verse 1 of Romans, Corinthians, Galations, Ephesians, Colosians, Timothy, and Titus.)
And the Bible is VERY clear when numbering the Apostles in Revelation 21:14 where John writes that the wall of the City had TWELVE foundations, and in them the names of THE twelve apostles. Not thirteen. (I fully believe the PAUL’S name will be written there, which leaves Matthias out in the cold).
Otherwise, I think your answer was excellent.
Elders and bishops are one and the same and they are the only office of leadership in a local church. In the New Testament the words are used interchangeably (Tit. 1:5,7; Acts 20:17,28). Elder refers to the man, Bishop refers to his work – Oversight. Elders may have one or more of each of the below.
This is how those verses should be broken down:
Ministries (Eph. 4:11): Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers
Service Gifts (Rom. 12:4-8): Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhorting, Giving, Ruling, Mercy.
Manifestations (1 Cor. 12:7-11): Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues.
The Holy Spirit has made elders the overseers of the local church. They are responsible for its government. All the gifts, manifestations and ministries operate under their oversight. They encourage every member to use his gifts, and correct those who abuse their liberty.
Every believer is part of the royal priesthood and communes with God, we need to stop believing the clergy/laymen lie that there are some that heard from God and others that don’t.
Thank You!
12 Apostles including Paul does make more sense now than 13 based on Herb’s explanation and Scriptures listed. I always thought it would be wimpy for God to use a gambling type scenario for such an important choice. The Amish choose their church leaders sometimes by lots too maybe because of the Matthias example in Acts, and they often dread being chosen for the job. I can’t imagine any of the real Bible time Apostles dreading the job like Amish men facing the lot, but totally excited to know the truth and have God’s help in sharing the gospel with as many as possible, thoroughly enjoying teaching & caring for fellow Christians too. The way God chose the replacement for Judas was way more exciting and creative and powerful and doubt-free than casting lots. The two definitions of apostle make a lot of sense too. Good video.