John wrote:
I do believe that the apostles had a measure
of the Spirit that was in addition that of the
gifts of the Spirit
The apostolic office is characgterized by special signs and wonders, yes,
but this should not be characterized as you have done here. Read 1 Cor.
12
for the proper perspective of apostles to the rest of the body of Christ.
John wrote:
... the 7 deacons could not do anything of a
miracluous nature before the apostles layed
hands on them.
Mere speculation on your part, which flies in the face of church tradition
and historical writings. Furthermore, the Scriptures themselves suggest
otherwise when they describe these men already as men of faith, filled
with
the Holy Ghost.
John wrote:
Miracles do continue in the church to this day
but to the exclusion of "faith healings."
An effeminate remark which even the female founder of your church has
disagreed with.
John wrote:
There is no more impa rtation of scripture.
Speculation and presumption, which might be right, but it has no basis of
authority.
John wrote:
In the Pentecostal tradition, I have seen many who
claim to be "apostles." Not a single one can raise
the dead, heal by casting a shadow, walk through
unopened doors and the like. I do not think these
men to be evil -- simply confused.
Surely there are false apostles today just as there were in New Testament
times. Why does Jesus praise the Ephesian church for testing false
apostles
if John was the last one? Why would there be any testing at this time if
John was to be the last apostle?
I have known personally two men who have been raised from the dead. I
have
met apostles who have reported to me experiences of raising the dead, of
people being healed as they walked by, and who have had cloths taken to
the
sick and seen them healed. Just because you have met false apostles does
not mean they are all false apostles. I have met false apostles too.
When Jesus ascended on high, he gave gifts unto men, namely, apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The reason they were given
was
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for
the
edifying of the body of Christ. This was to be until we all come in the
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Now when
someone starts stripping away these gifts, claiming that the apostles are
no
longer in the body of Christ, or that the modern prophet is now the
theologian, or other such fantasies, it only serves to change the body of
Christ into something else, more akin to a Christian social club. Why is
it
that people are so accepting of teachers and pastors, but they do
everything
they can to discredit and remove from the body of Christ the apostles and
prophets? I say that until we are brought into unity of faith and
knowledge, unto a perfect man and the fullness of Christ, we need them
all.
If we have not arrived at such, part of the reason is that we reject the
present day ministry of apostles and prophets, so the local church has no
solid foundation in Christ.
Ephesians 4:8-16
(8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first
into
the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.)
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the
edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ:
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.
Ephesians 2:19-22
(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy
temple in the Lord:
(22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through
the Spirit.
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
----------
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may
know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)
http://www.InnGlory.org
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