Today, apostleship is considered as a unique role within the church that joins flesh and Spirit in focus upon development and promotion of doctrine as well as both institutional and spiritual works. Also, there is more on why judgment means GOD is “no more Mr. Nice Guy.” The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using an ID “ajith t” (Level 3 with 1,062 points, a member since May 09, 2007) posted the following:
What is the exact count of Apostles? 13?
After removing Judas the disciples selected Matthias. Then Paul is also mentioned as Apostle. So the final twelve disciples are Apostles for the twelve tribes of Israel and Paul the Apostle for Gentiles. That means 13 Apostles?
THE BATTLE AXE: No More “Mr. Nice Guy”? (04/28/2014)—(5.) Divine judgment may be delayed, postponed, and rescheduled; however, judgment may not be called off, canceled, or left undone. The demands and procedures for divine judgment are often appear as extreme to finite created beings and living creatures. This seems particularly so where they lack awareness of various cosmic consequences, and damage to divine order that would result without judgment. Through the Holy Spirit, many are granted the breadth of vision, sense of accountability, and mature grasp regarding the importance of righteous judgment. The threats against divinity and eternal order for the universe may not be ignored, and can not be completely and correctly eliminated, or removed without multiple divine operations. Included are atonement (by blood), cleansing (by water), death, judgment, purging (by fire), sanctification and separation. Spiritual operations generated by the wrath of GOD continue in balance with those of divine love, and so, where there is judgment, there is also correction, forbearance, guidance, instruction, mercy, and repentance.
(6.) When the tribes that had left Egypt approached Canaan, the Promised Land was already defiled and polluted by blood from the crimes of blasphemers, from repeated violation of covenant, from unlawful warfare, from animal and human sacrifices to graven images and the worship of idols and false gods. The divine operations and justice needed to bring the land back to a condition that would allow its use for divine purposes—for GOD to restore the land—required that the blood of those who had made victims of others, and who had shed the blood of others, also be poured out upon the land.
(7.) To this very hour there are those who maliciously attack, insult, and provoke GOD as violators of covenant, enemies to the cross of Christ, and those who despise right relationship with divinity. After a point, such persons are no longer as infants, who unintentionally soil their own mother. All are to operate with levels of maturity, reason, and understanding. For those who operate only in terms of actions that are physical and visceral, and may not be appealed to with words, harsh punishments must be used to turn them away from utter destruction. See Numbers 35: 33-34, Jeremiah 22: 16-17, Ecclesiastes 8: 11, Psalms 1: 1-6, Isaiah 59: 1-21 and Revelation 20: 11-13, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2nd Corinthians 12: 10-12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spring-training? (04/11/2014); Saul of Tarsus (03/26/2014); The Nature of Scripture (03/27/2014); Recognizing Divine Wrath? (02/26/2014); In Earthen Vessels (02/27/2014); (02/05/2014) Succession (02/05/2014); On Youth Doing Enough (02/06/2014); And This Was Good News (12/01/2012); A Need to Fear? (12/02/2012); The Slave to Law and Sin Made Free (11/16/2012); Lawful Divorce (11/17/2012)
“ajith t”, here are a few points of information that may be helpful to those in fellowship through the church of Jesus Christ:
(1.) There are two meanings or standards that describe the role of an apostle for the church. On the one hand, an apostle is anyone who manifests divine gifts and prophecy, and goes about within a region (we used to say, rides circuit) to establish new assemblies and congregations within the church body. Along with Peter and James, Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Mark, Silas, and Timothy functioned as apostles for the early church. Today, many clergy serving various denominations use the title of Apostle, in addition to those of Evangelist and Bishop. The title of Pope was not used in the early church, and is accounted as legitimate only within the Catholic hierarchy.
(2.) The apostles chosen by Jesus were all selected, prepared, and granted a personal testimony (we say, eye witness experience) to serve as witnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is what is termed “the testimony of Jesus” that distinguishes the new testament apostles from all those who had seen the Lord in vision, the Patriarchs and earlier prophets as well as those who would prophesy today using gifts to the church from the Holy Spirit.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Many hold that, as a spiritual role like “Messiah”, the presence of an apostle must be discerned and recognized through the spirit matter that he displays, and other operations of faith within believers. Because the offices, practices, presbytery, formal roles, and titles of the institutional church often copy management from worldly organizations (such as corporations, fraternal groups, gangs, universities), congregations often fail to acknowledge the continuing presence and work of modern day apostles.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your standing as a genuine believer.
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. (1st Corinthians 9: 1-2, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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