Primal Fire refutes the cessationist argument, but specifically the view that the apostolic and prophetic gifts ended after the first century. Opposition
to the prophetic and apostolic gifts is nothing new. Jesus spoke against the
religious leaders of his day who were honoring the prophets that were previously killed by their own ancestors. He said: Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them… For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute. (Luke 11:47-49)
Today the resistance toward the apostolic and prophetic from
the religious institution is not any less. Instead of making martyrs of these
people and then having to raise statues in their name, the religious leaders of our day have
found it far easier to theologically define these gifts out of existence.
Instead of killing them in public, they have aborted them in the wombs of their
theological textbooks, classrooms, boardrooms and pulpits. They removed them
before they can even become a problem. This is another way of killing them,
without getting blood on their hands. They simply deny their existence and do
not allow any place for them in the church. This they do with their Bibles open but without a syllable of Biblical support.
My good friend Alan Hirsch points out how we all agree that the later results of Ephesians 4:11-16 is universal and for today. He also notes that scholars all agree that the first part of Ephesians 4:1-10 also has universal application today. Why then would we say that two (or three) of the gifts in the center of that passage are not for today? Nothing in the text would indicate that. In fact, there is a verse in that passage that seems to indicate that the work of all five gifts is still incomplete and currently essential (Ephesians 4:13).
Not only should we allow for their existence, but we should not be content without them. To suppose otherwise is detrimental to the church, to those who are meant to fulfill such roles and even to the world itself that needs to see Jesus as He truly is. We must end this abortion of the apostolic and prophetic in our churches.
11 comments:
And the unbelieving world aborts apostles with the diagnosis of A.D.D. I don't have ADD I have A.P.P. APostolic Passion.
I guess all depends on how the terms (prophet and apostle) are defined.
Even in those churches that do recognise the gifts, there is a tendency to reject the message when it's too 'outside the box'.
I don't know if it's accurate to say they abort them because that would mean they would have to acknowledge the fact that they are valid, yet not want anything to do with it. Or they are actually convinced that it really isn't for today. Yes there was originally few who were with Jesus from baptism to His ressurection. I think it can be hard to comprehend what an accurate example of a modern day apostle or prophet would look like, considering travesty of current self proclaimed apostles & prophets. Could it be as simple as the apostle who is sent to proclaim the gospel, and the prophet who encourages & buiilds up others instead of himself?
Good comments.
I am a prophet in "professional ministry". I can't tell you how much I am constantly compared to evangelists. I am told to change to become more like evangelist. It is implied that evangelists are the real stars and us prophets, though fun to listen to and be challenged by, are not much more than a side show. Nothing is more lonely especially since I find myself in an already very lonely profession. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to just walk away from it all and leave the idolatry of evangelism to continue to suffocate under it's own bloated weight. This post is a drink of cool water to my exhausted soul.
Thank you Neil.
I hope you understand my opting for anonymity in this issue.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE A TRUE APOSTLE BY STEVE FINNELL
SIGNS OF A TRUE APOSTLE.
2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
If you are not performing signs, wonders and miracles, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 9:36-41 ....Tabitha...37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died...40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise."....41...he presented her alive.
If you cannot pray the dead back to life, you might not be a true apostle.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;
If you do not possess the ability to impart spiritual gifts, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 3:1-8 ...2 And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb....6 But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene---walk!"......8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk...
If perhaps, you do not have the power to heal men who have been crippled from birth, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 5:3-10 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit...9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last....
If you cannot predict the immediate death of someone who has lied to the Holy Spirit, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 13:8-11.....9 But Saul, who was also know as Paul...10...said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time....
If for some unknown reason you lack the ability to temporarily blind a sorcerer, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 16:16-18 ...a slave-girl having a spirit of divination... 18 But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment.
If you cannot cast out occult spirits, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
If you are not capable of performing many signs and wonders, you might not be a true apostle.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER, IS THE APOSTLESHIP CEASED WITH THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLE JOHN 99 AD.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE A TRUE APOSTLE;BECAUSE ALL THE TRUE APOSTLES ARE DEAD!
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http//:steve-finnell.blogspot.com
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