Apostles in The Church: Yesterday and Today

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Drake

Your argument that Paul was the last apostle has no scriptural basis

Originally Posted by Igzy

There is also no scriptural basis that the New Testament is scripture.

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Many protestants believe that the "bible replaced the apostles".

Apostle Paul in Eph. 2.20 tells us that "the household of God, the church, is being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." This clearly identifies an accomplished foundation work of God's house. For two millennia the church has readily identified certain initial apostles as both patterns for the church and writers of New Testament scripture. Yes they were "sent ones," but more than that, they were literally Ambassadors for Jesus Christ Himself. Unfortunately today, of these original 12 ambassadors plus Paul, we really only have the writings and work of Peter, John, and Paul.

On the other hand Paul also told us in Eph 4.11 "that He gave some apostles ..." clearly informing us that the Head of the body will continue to give gifts for building up. Church history is filled with gifted men, including genuine apostles, who did not lay another foundation, but built well on the original apostles. Their anointed ministries made alive what we know as scripture. In this regard, I agree with the statement, if properly understood, that "the New Testament has replaced the apostles," not the apostles acc. to 4.11, but the apostles acc. to 2.20.

How can we not make a distinction? Does anyone really believe that "Andronicus and Junia notable among the apostles, and in Christ before Paul," (Rom. 16.7) should be measured by the same standards? And this highlights the difficulty we face on this forum. How do we measure Witness Lee? What are the N.T. standards by which the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers are measured?

In the US, WL did not do the work of a missionary apostle bringing the gospel to new lands. Some have testified that he left Taiwan under questionable financial impropriety. He began working here after a period of sincere repentance. Personally I think WL was a gifted teacher who failed in many regards.