Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I understand. We have discussed this before. Wouldn't it be nice if the Bible just said this?
|
I think the Bible does say enough to give us guidance. In Revelation it says
22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Now although this word is spoken directly about the Book of Revelation I think the principle applies to the other books of the NT. Peter and Paul both have other relevant verses as well (for the sake of brevity I will assume everyone agrees). As a result I think you can make a strong case for the "apostolic authority" of the NT and that no one can claim a higher authority than the word of God, which is equated to the incarnated God.
As to "apostles" the only NT figure that was clearly a "Minister of the Age" at the time he was speaking would have been Peter since the Lord promised him the "keys to the kingdom" yet the NT records the Apostle Peter being rebuked and corrected by Paul, and having to have his revelation confirmed by elders in Jerusalem. So I see no NT basis to say that there is ever a "Minister of the Age" in the sense that they are above rebuke and correction. Likewise the Apostle Paul said that he had not arrived, indicating that he also was not full grown or perfect.
As to appointing elders it would be completely pointless for the Book of Timothy to go into such detail about what was necessary to appoint elders if we don't still have brothers like Timothy who might appoint elders. So, if Hudson Taylor preaches the gospel in China, establishes a church, he has the authority to appoint elders according to Paul's instruction in Timothy. Likewise, if the Catholic church has left the apostle's teaching in the NT and Martin Luther has shown them their fault and they refuse to listen to him he is not called to bondage, he can leave and continue to meet with other like minded Christians and again, appoint elders in every church. He will have to stand before the Lord's judgement, but if the Lord agrees with his leaving the Catholic church I doubt he'll be condemned for appointing elders in a church.