All of that you posted in true and I agree.
My entire focus on this matter from the start was that in the Christian church today, there are various groups and denominations who are claiming that the church needs apostles and prophets today. They are doing that for two reason..............
1. They want to practice and be able to say that "they" have the Apostolic Sign Gifts of tongues, healing, laying on of hands etc.
2. They want to be able to say that "God has spoken to ME and given me a word of Knowledge to tell you".
That is what I have been speaking to specifically.
Now, In addressing the question of apostles and prophets today, we must carefully define our terms. We have been using lots of words and definitions and talking around this situation. So allow me to say clearly........YES, Certainly the church today needs church planters, missionaries, or leaders who act as pastors over other pastors. YES.......the church must have the preaching of the Word of God and when the Word of God is preached from the pulpit, most of those offices are in fact fulfilled.
Fortunately, when some people say that the church needs “apostles” today, that’s all that they mean and it seems to me that is what you have said and I agree. And while the usage of the term “apostle” is not biblical, certainly the church does need such persons.
Likewise, when some people say that the church needs “prophets” today, they mean that the church needs Spirit-filled leaders who can inspire the church with a vision for its mission, or who can challenge the church to deeper commitment to Christ. And again, while this may not be the most biblical use of the term “prophet,” there can be no doubt that the church does need such persons.
HOWEVER, and here is my whole point............ if by “apostles” and “prophets” one means Christian leaders of the same kind as the twelve apostles or the apostle Paul, they are clearly mistaken. There are no church leaders today whose authority cannot be questioned, or through whom new doctrinal revelations are given to the church, or whose teachings must be accepted by all Christians.
Speaking only on the words of the Scriptures........The New Testament teaches that the apostles of Christ were persons to whom Christ appeared after His resurrection and whom He commissioned to be His personal spokesmen (Acts 1:21-26; 5:32; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8).
Ephesians 2:20 and 3:5 teach that the apostles and prophets had foundational offices through which Christ established the church as the newly constituted people of God, a church in which both Jews and Gentiles make up the singular body of Christ. Clearly many men today who claim to be apostles have taken upon themselves authority over other people which has not been given to them by God. Additionally, they are making prophetic utterances which they falsely claim to be divinely inspired.
IF......a man gives a "Prophetic Word of Knowledge" which he says came from God and it is not found in the written Word of God then that man is liar!
Jeremiah 14:14 is either true or it is false...........
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds."
It is always a blessing to speak with you sister! I hope this allows you to understand where I am coming from.
