Quote:
Originally Posted by awareness
Sorry I don't follow your scriptural reference. Please quote the verses that support apostolic authority.
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1Thess 2: 3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
There is a clear contrast in this section between those who spoke in error, uncleanness and / or guile. I would say that this forum has done a nice job of exposing the error in WL and LSM, the uncleanness, and the guile.
4 but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.
Once again, a contrast between the sycophants, the puppet elders, etc and the apostle Paul.
5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; 6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
Now we have discussed the aspect of covetousness that is common to false prophets (Judas, Balaam, and WL). We have discussed WL's boasting "who said this? Lee, Lee, that's who" etc. So the context of Paul saying that he might have claimed apostolic authority (but didn't) is the same context where he said he hadn't done any of these other things either. This is the only mention of "apostolic authority" in the NT. You don't see Peter claiming it, you don't see John claiming it, you don't see Paul claiming it.
But obviously someone is. Diotrophese who loves to have the preeminence uses his "authority" to reject those from John. False brothers in Galatians try to bring the saints into bondage (under their authority). Judaizers from James intimidate Peter into not walking according to the truth. And, here in this section we can infer that those speaking in error, uncleanness and guile do this as well.
Then Paul charges Titus to speak "with all authority". Now the term "all authority" would have to include "apostolic authority" if there were such a thing. But that would be hypocritical for Paul to exhort Titus to use "apostolic authority" if he has said he didn't. On the other hand, if Paul is exhorting Titus to speak "with all authority" then surely he must have done so too. Therefore I conclude that "apostolic authority" is a bogus term made up by false brothers and false prophets. No doubt, authority has been given to us, and Paul says the same, so it is difficult to debate whether or not there is such a thing since Apostle's have been given authority, the same authority promised to all believers in Matthew 18, Ephesians 1, etc. So instead of being dragged into that swamp Paul makes it clear he has not claimed this, nor has he done any of the other things these false brothers do.