This topic is for discussion only. I love th hear the viewpoints of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

There seems to be some controversy as to whether the Office of the Apostle is to be operational in the Body of Christ today.

What say ye?

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The LORD bless you my brother in Christ.

Just a reminder, I stated in my question that this topic is for discussion only. I love to hear the viewpoints of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

There seems to be some controversy as to whether the Office of the Apostle is to be operational in the Body of Christ today.

I personally DO believe that the office of the Apostle as well as the Prophet and the others ARE for TODAY!

Again, it was for discussion only. God said: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge! They are also destroyed for rejecting knowledge! I daily pray that each of us will walk honestly in the vocataion to which we were called! Time is winding up, and I believe the Lord's return is soon! It is another reason why I placed this question to stir up my brothers and sisters to GO FORWARD in the power of the Holy Ghost and DO the work of the ministry! Souls are dying and going to a CHRISTless lake of fire! Someone HAS to rescue them, WHY NOT ME? WHY NOT YOU? Let's continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into the vineyard!

God Bless You,
Evangelist Gilbert White, Sr.
Let me begin by saying what is an apostle; just simply a (religious) messenger and ambassador. There many different religious cult that have apostles such as the Latter-Day Saints, Rasul, Islamic prophet or messenger known as Muhammad that had a following called the Apostles of Baha’u’llah. I believe as a Christian in the ministry of an apostle, but I struggle with the title given so loosely by men. Any one of the “Twelve Apostles” 12 of JESUS disciples chosen by him and given “the Great Commission”-Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
And the apostle Paul that given the Gospel message to the Greeks, the Jews and abroad. I question if it is for today with Television evangelism, internet and so many resources to get the gospel message out. It is my understanding that an Apostle is appointed in an area where there is no gospel preached, a prominent Christian missionary, especially one who is responsible for first converting a people. I consider myself being under an apostle through the organization that I service in the Church Of God In Christ.
This not a debate, but it is a very good question for the Body Of Christ to really understand the gifts that God has given unto men.

Apostle are need for today when called by God and not of men.
That is a good question. The Bible teaches us in the book of Ephesians 4:11 that HE - Christ before he assended gave gifts unto men - "So gave some Apostles, Some Prophets, some Evangelist, some Pastors and Teachers: These were gifts of God to the Church- do we still need these gifts? Read on: 4:12 for tthe perfecting of the saints (that's the reason he gave them) so today are the saints perfected? if the answer is no than there is a need, should we stop making saints? if no, then we still need the saints. let us review Gods timeline of expiration of these gifts. 4:13 "Till we all- come fitly joined together into a perfect man" Is the entire body of Christ fitly joined together in purpose thought deed and belief? The body of Christ can barley agree with itself on what we should call ourselves so I dare say that we are a long way off from being perfect and thus the body is in deed need of perfecting so yes according to scripture; Apostles are relevent an needed today.
To answer your question one must consider, what Jesus ordained his disciples (Apostles) to do, what their functions were and is there still a need for that function today. And when I look at their purpose and the state and condition of the world today I believe the need for Apostles is just as great if not far greater today as the population today is more greatly enlarged to the time of Christ. When you look at the theme of the New Testament and the concerns and compassion Christ had for the poor, the sick, sinners the forgotten etc you surly must know there is a real need for true Apostles that believe in the principles that Jesus taught.

Today we have people who have not heard the good news, who are not allowed to read the bible, some who have never seen the bible, who live in fear of death if they proclaim a love for Christ, we have the poor, the outcast the sick the publicans the sinners we have nations without churches- So do we still need the Apostles today, ask your self did Jesus show concern for the one stray sheep or was He more concern about the 99 saved if the answer he was concern for the one then is it not obvious Apostles are need today because they have not completed the task to which they were call.

Your question should not really be ‘Is Apostles for today’, instead it should be are Apostles today carrying out the function to which they were call

Is the Body of Christ today fully equipped right now, is the Body of Christ ready and prepared should Christ return today. Have all nations been penetrated with the good news, is there still nations that is without Christ, Is there unity amongst God’s people, have we got unconditional love amongst the Body of Christ. Is there a Church in all parts of the world if the answer to all this is yes then we don’t need the Apostle because Christ need not delay any more we are ready however, if it is no then until such time as Christ return there is a need for direction from those appointed to feed the flock.
The LORD bless you my dear sister.

Just a reminder, I stated in my question that this topic is for discussion only. I love to hear the viewpoints of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

There seems to be some controversy as to whether the Office of the Apostle is to be operational in the Body of Christ today.

I personally DO believe that the office of the Apostle as well as the Prophet and the others ARE for TODAY!

Again, it was for discussion only. God said: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge! They are also destroyed for rejecting knowledge! I daily pray that each of us will walk honestly in the vocataion to which we were called! Time is winding up, and I believe the Lord's return is soon! It is another reason why I placed this question to stir up my brothers and sisters to GO FORWARD in the power of the Holy Ghost and DO the work of the ministry! Souls are dying and going to a CHRISTless lake of fire! Someone HAS to rescue them, WHY NOT ME? WHY NOT YOU? Let's continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into the vineyard!

God Bless You,
Evangelist Gilbert White, Sr.
I agree with your post fully.
It is so sad the way people today have ONE dream, see ONE vision and they start calling themselves prophet and apostle!!!
I have dreams all the time.
I have visions on occasion as well.
Am I a prophet?
No.
Am I an apostle?
No.
People have taken the Word and twisted it to fit that they believe and want.
The Word of God lays out simple but detailed information on how the church should be run but people have decided to use the Word when they feel the need to gain control over others!!!
Just as simple as this, the word of God will last for ever, so If God gave us these offices in his word which is the same yesterday today and forever, so is his call to the offices. Let us occupy till he come!!!
Certainly the office of the Apostle is for today. What would Jesus deliver gifts to the Church and omit the Apostle.or put a time limit on those who are sent? My grandchildren would say, DUH PAPPA. Then we must do away with the Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist and teacher.
I believe that the office of the Apostle is a relevant office in the Body of Christ today. One must understand how the four-fold ministry operates in the body of Christ. Some call it five-fold ministry but that is a misnomer. I will share more on that subject at a later date. The Apostle's function in the Body of Christ is to establish a church and then turn it over to a pastor who will shepherd the congregation and then move on to establish another church elsewhere and the cycle repeats. I think the challenge is that Apostles are not establishing churches anymore they are pastoring them. It is my humble opinion that office of the Apostle is relevant as there is a dire need to establish churches all over the world. Take note that there are still countries where the gospel has not reached, and where churches have not been established. I think the challenge is that in the contemporary context people don't understand the how the Body of Christ supposed to operate. So I will sum it all up. The Bishop is an overseer of many churches. The Apostles establishes churches. The Pastor/Teacher is the watchmen who shepherds the sheep. The Prophet's role is to bring order to the Body of Christ. The Evangelist role is to preach the gospel to win souls into the Body of Christ. It is my belief the Body of Christ is not functioning the way Christ intended. You got bishops, apostles, prophets and evangelists pastoring churches. Another challenge is that Pastors are either preaching or teaching. According to scripture, Pastors supposed to do both. This breakdown in ministerial function leads to disorder. The bible says that God is not the author of confusion; He is the God of Peace. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the only person who operated in all ministerial offices simultaneously. He was Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, Pastor/Teacher, and Evangelist. After the resurrection, the Holy Ghost who birthed the church gave some believers ministerial gifts for the equipping of the saints for the edifying the Body of Christ. A strange phenomenon has been occurring in the Body of Christ. In the 70s we had a surplus of Apostles. In the 80s and 90s we had a surplus of Prophets. From the mid 90s until now we have a surplus of bishops. This should not be, when the scriptures, particularly the Pauline Letters shows absolute clarity about how the ministry should function. To further state, Ephesians Chapter 4 outlines the ministry precisely.
Dear Brethren and sisters;

This is such a wonderful question. But do you really want to know the truth about what you have described as an office of the apostle? I don't think so, I don't think you could handle the truth, because indiviuals make a living by using such titles today. Therefore, they really don't care about the truth of the Word of God, because it just forces them to be converted, then they will apear to be just like everyone else. You see they can't make money unless they have something different. What is it called? "A gimmick"! Well I could go on and give you a complete discourse on using such titles, but I won't because people won't change, and it will only create division among believers at all levels. However, I will encourage all of you to seek the truth on God's terms and not your own. Get into a seminary that will give you knowledge about the biblical languages, and not just commentaries of others, and then you will discover the mind of the writers and not the listeners. I wrote in my earlier comments introducing our seminary of how ministers bring disgrace to the ministry by misusing terms and titles and mostly using words in the bible improperly. Some ask me to prove that our school is different, so send a catalouge and never heard from them again. Some called themselves Drs. and was offended that I mentioned, those who purchase a degree but not the knowledge from a degree mill. Again, they asked me to prove that our's is better and not like the others. So I did, and I have never heard from them again. This have lead me to believe that folks are not seeking truth they are seeking something or someone of authority to compliment what they are doing, even if they are wrong. I plead to you all to take the high road and apply yourself in learnng the truth and then have the courage to change your life accordingly. God bless you all; for your hearts to please the Lord.
@ Xavier C. Joshua Th.D.,
And ALL


wonderful comments , i respect you.

We all ought to be seeking the Truth but most seek tradition and mammon (money).
And have unknowingly taken on a doctrine, from outside the "bible". From the folk whom nailed Yehoshua's/Yeshua's/"Jesus' " hands and feet to the wood.



a few notes on Nicolaitanes doctrine
which has taken over the gentile "church" maybe even seeded the "church"



Nicolaitanes doctrine (rev 2:6,15) is
Nicolaitane means, "to conquer the laity."

Nicolaitanism -The "church" to be "in the hands of an elected leadership which moves with political mindedness".

was not roman emperor constantine the sunworshipper the "church"(basilica father) founder


In matt 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Above is the real example-
The Disciples was to live with the people (Lay) .

Nicolaitanism – "separates the ministers from the people and makes the leaders overlords instead of servants".




" Sunday worship, Christmas with its Saturnalian excesses, New Year's with its night-watch and attendant debaucheries, Easter with its eggs, bunnies, hot cross buns and sunrise worship, May Day with its May-poles and lawn festivals, and Halloween, with its attending misrule, are not the feasts of Yahweh as commanded in the Bible. They are all perpetuations of the old pagan Babylonian feasts, belonging to the pagan deities, Lord, God, Jesus Christ (i.e. Zeous-Xristos of the Greeks), and Ma-Rhea, or Maria, the English Mary.

The doctrines of an ever-burning hell, Purgatory, going to heaven when you die, immediate transition, infant baptism, sprinkling, and the conscious state of the dead are not Apostolic, but purely and simply Babylonian. Their presence in the Christian Church identifies Christianity as the product of Babylon's fornications as evangelized by the Nicolaitanes. The 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation are prophetic of the history of the church, or assembly, and depict its transformation from the Apostolic faith to Babylonian apostasy."


May the Elohym of
"Jesus" (Yeshua), AbraHam, Yitzhaq ("Isaac") , Ya'aqov ("Jacob"), "James" (Ya'aqov) The Just, and Yochanan ("John") The Immerser ("baptizer") Be with Us All






reference

King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 2:6
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.


Revelation 2:15
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.




sidenote -
"Christians" did not Change his (Yehoshua) name first, but blatant pagans were first to change his name. Not 'closet pagans' (people that accept Nicolaitanes doctrine (rev 2:6,15) under that guise of "Christianity".



The Truth will set us free
Apostle:
a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
Original Word: ἀπόστολος
Transliteration: apostolos
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os'-tol-os)
Short Definition: apostle

Word Origin
from apostelló
Definition
a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
NASB Word Usage
apostle (19), apostles (52), apostles' (5), messenger (1), messengers (1), is sent (1).
apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers) -- apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

see GREEK apostello
Therefore apostle refers to all born again believers, we are all sent to proclaim the word of God not all in the same authority,but we are commanded to preach Jesus.. meaning all who have been born again are apostles..

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