Dave Hansen wrote:
Terry Clifton wrote:
Dave Hansen wrote:
DAVEH: That seems somewhat contradictory to what Paul described in Eph
2:19-20, where the fellowcitizens with the saints and the household
of God (is that not referring to the greater congregation of the
Church as a whole?) were given a foundation of apostles and prophets
(Jesus being the cornerstone) to form the (hierarchal) framework of the
Church. Could that not be suggesting that a True Church could
not exist without apostles and prophets,
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Mornin' Dave. Glad you had a safe trip. Now if you can survive
reading all your mail, you might just make it.
You are correct that Jesus is the cornerstone and the apostles are the
foundation. Let me add that every new Christian is a living stone,
added to that foundation. These living stones are the living Church,
still being built, a work in progress. Those stones will continue to
be added to this living organism until the end of time, but the
foundation has been laid. We don't need another Jesus and we don't
need more prophets or apostles.
DAVEH: Do you not think Jesus will return, Terry? And do you not
recognize the Bible prophesies there will be prophets in the last
days? (Rev 11:10)
After reading Eph 4:11:14.......
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive;
.........I would ask you Terry, have Christians come to a unity of
faith yet? And, do you think Christians are being tossed around by
every wind of doctrine? If not, then do you suppose apostles and
prophets might be needed in the Christian community?
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You are asking me a question that I cannot answer. My definition of
Christian is more narrow than yours. Your idea of a Christian might
cause you to misunderstand anything I might surmise. All I can tell
you for sure is that there will be a couple of prophets in the last
days because the Bible says so, and though they are necessary for that
to be fulfilled at that time, the Church for the last two thousand or
so years has been built on the originals. One foundation for one
building is the usual ratio.
Terry
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