Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
This is why I don't like the simplified "apostles must still exist because the Bible doesn't say they don't."
That stance doesn't even bother to define an apostle, and so still leaves the door open for giving someone credit for having the authority of a first century apostle. All in the name of what seems to me misguided biblical purity.
|
I really wish the Bible were so much more nice and orderly and packaged for the believers. All these questions would be answered, and the sheep would be so very happy. I really mean it. Compared to religions like Islam, the Bible just don't spell things out sufficiently.
Why would the Spirit of God leave such an open-ended question as the existence of apostles? What was He thinking? Imagine how I felt the other day, in the midst of this "apostle" thread, talking to an old and distant friend about his church. He was describing the appointment of elders and the approval by the congregation. The brother who nominated the elders was applying "
his apostolic authority as the church founder."
Yikes!
I should have immediately drug his butt over to certain forum posters for some needed "education."
Heretic! False apostle! Wolf! Whatever was he doing thinking that there are still apostles today? Imagine the dangers confronting those helpless sheep? Where are the signs and wonders and works of power? Where are the indisputable and verifiable displays of miraculous power?. Where are the CNN news reports of empty graves, with the former occupants "walking and leaping and praising God," and telling all the people it was "Apostle so-n-so" who raised him from the dead. Jesus raised Lazarus, "real" apostles must do the same!
I found it difficult to critique them myself, since they did preach the gospel, shepherd the sheep, and establish the church from "scratch," and whatever "
apostolic authority" he did possess went no further than that little congregation. I have to admit I was taken back at his word, since I have been "properly informed." I had thought that all my "
misguided biblical purity" was in remission, but such was not the case.