What is the boundary of the Local Church?

[ZNPaaneah]

I think what is very safe is that the reference to the name of the apostles as the foundation of the wall refers to these 12. The idea that the wall is the boundary of the church and that the foundation of this boundary is "The apostles" does not refer to future ones, but rather to these 12. Therefore I understand this to refer to the "Fellowship of the apostles".

As long as a meeting of believers is within the fellowship of the apostles it is within the boundaries of the NT for a church meeting.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

I think what is very safe is that the reference to the name of the apostles as the foundation of the wall refers to these 12. The idea that the wall is the boundary of the church and that the foundation of this boundary is "The apostles" does not refer to future ones, but rather to these 12. Therefore I understand this to refer to the "Fellowship of the apostles".

As long as a meeting of believers is within the fellowship of the apostles it is within the boundaries of the NT for a church meeting.

Paul is a problem since he is not one of the 12. It sort of deflates the 12 apostles argument. If the 12 apostles thing is correct then the true church boundary would be messianic Judaism since without Paul protestantism would not exist.

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Paul is a problem since he is not one of the 12. It sort of deflates the 12 apostles argument. If the 12 apostles thing is correct then the true church boundary would be messianic Judaism since without Paul protestantism would not exist.

Yes, it definitely throws a wrench into the equation, however Peter is an apostle and he referenced Paul's epistles as the divinely inspired word of God. That is certainly part of the "fellowship of the apostles".