Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Since we've done such a good job of deciding whether there are still apostles today, (that's a joke, son), why don't we move on to the subject of what kind of authority they have today and how is it enforced?
- If there are apostles, who should follow them?
- How much should we encourage others to follow them?
- If "follow" the wrong word, should we use some other term, like "give ear to," etc?
- If someone doesn't follow them, are they outside the move of God?
- What should be our attitude about "non-heeders?"
- And, finally, do any of the above considerations make vivid how warped movements are which insist their favorite son is the one everyone should follow?
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If I could make some observations ...
Some of these same points were debated amongst the Corinthians, and Paul concluded "all are yours." When it comes to uplifting one above another, whether they be apostles or co-workers or full-timers, all are nothing, and Christ is all in all.
Most of these points, obviously taken from the LC context, assume there is only one apostle, or group of blendeds speaking as "one." Hence, these points, unfortunately, might be relevant to them. For example, the entire conflict which resulted in the quarantine of TC, could have boiled down to just one question, "who is your apostle?"
This question then translates into -- Who must we follow? Who must we heed? How do we judge those who disobey?