A movement is afoot that is convinced in a modern-day restoration of apostles after the Twelve found in the Gospels and Book of Acts. This movement has twisted the words of the Holy Spirit by imposing a false teaching on Ephesians 4:11-12…
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
If we let Scripture interpret Scripture (versus imposing our own views) we discover one chapter earlier – in Ephesians 2:20 – how the apostles in Ephesians 4:11 must be understood…
[H]aving been built (that is, God’s household / the Church) on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.
A foundation is laid once. It isn’t laid a second time. The apostolic foundation was laid 2,000 years ago by Christ Himself (the corner stone) in twelve men (plus one untimely born). (1 Corinthians 15:7-9)
Thus, there are no (and cannot possibly be any) apostles alive / living in our day (let alone “restored”).
(We must also not overlook the requirement of an apostle according to Acts 1:21-22 that he must have been present during the earthly ministry of Jesus and eyewitness of His bodily resurrection.)
(Further reading: The Roots and Fruits of the New Apostolic Reformation)
(The Exhortation To The Apostles via wikimedia. PD-US)
About Pastor Mike
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