Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Where did Paul specifically say he never claimed "apostolic authority?"
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1Thess 1:3-6 -- this section talks about all the things Paul didn't do, and they describe false brothers and those that love the preeminence. It is the only reference in the NT that I can find that specifically refers to "apostolic authority".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
The reason I push against the idea that the Apostolic gift still exists is:
(1) We can't even agree what it consists of.
(2) Some, given the freedom to define apostles as they wish, create monsters like the MOTA.
It seems to me what the Church has done, by default, is to define apostles as church planters and missionaries. Certainly the idea of some ongoing care and advisement is there. But not the idea of control and lording which clearly exists in the LCM. Paul advised churches to listen to him, even begged them, but he was never overbearing about it. He was willing to let a church follow its own path rather than try to strong-arm them.
The classic example is what happened in the Midwest ten or so years ago. Rather than allow some Midwest churches to follow their own leading, the Blendeds condemned them and came in and installed new churches in Columbus and Toronto.
This also illustrates a big problem with one-church-one-city. There is only room for one, and the LCM is more than willing to discredit other "squatters." Which as far as I'm concerned shows the hypocrisy of the whole thing.
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Well, that is one way to respond. I have chosen instead to look more closely at the NT and that is why I latched onto Matthew 18.