Apostles and Prophets - Biblical Basis for Claims

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by JJ

Watchman Née, Witness Lee, and Blended Brothers all assumed to be apostles and prophets. Some Christians follow others making similar claims. Does anyone have good articles discussing “tests of apostleship and/or prophethood” for anyone after the first century making such claims?

I don't have an answer to this question but Ephesians 4:11 has bothered me for a long time. I believe in leadership by the Spirit to 1) build up the body of Christ, 2) so as the body of Christ is built up, they/we will grow strong and also then be able to bring people to Christ, disciple them and build them up so they can do the same.. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing (immersing) them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28).

Bur Ephesians 4:11 and others similar (deacons, bishops for example) opened up a can of religious worms!

Those 'offices' became 'titles of men'. Religious men. Deacon so and so.. Pastor so and so.. Bishop so and so.. and thus the religious institution was born IMHO due to those scriptures.

If someone can explain those scriptures to me, I would appreciate it greatly.

Blessings of Love and Peace to all.