Q&A - How many Apostles to the Body of Christ?

The following is a reply to a comment on a post called: How many Apostles to the Body of Christ?

Thank you for your comment. You pose a number of questions in it, so I have extracted your questions and reply to each based on my understanding of what God’s word tells us in this regard. I want to remind you that I interpret scripture according to our grace (mystery) dispensation today, recognizing that it is fundamentally different from the Kingdom and law (prophetic) dispensation of Israel. Thus, my replies ultimately distinguish and separate our doctrine from that of Israel. By maintaining this separation, we avoid confusion and contradiction of the two doctrines which, because of this very ignorance, is the cause of such false doctrine, division, and corruption in churches today.

Question 1:

So, by this article, you say that today no man can demonstrate “the signs of an apostle” (II Cor. 12:12), and that these things can only be done by apostles, and not by other believers? So, we can’t lay hands on sick and heal them, cast out demons, speak in tongues, prophecy…? 

Answer 1:

Based on your question above, you are combining two separate matters here. First, there is the biblical office of an apostle including the signs connected to that office. Second, there is the context of spiritual gifts within the members of the Body of Christ. Let me answer them separately since these are two different topics with their own answers.

Edification through Reaction and Response

Edification through Reaction and Response

There have been a number of reactions, comments, and statements made from this post. I thought I'd post these for some reading and contemplation. I trust my replies will provide a suitable dispensational interpretation and correction on the doctrinal confusions or inconsistencies that come from mixing or blended dispensational content together. This post is purely educational. I trust you will either be edified by it, or that it will get you digging into the scriptures to prove that what I say is scripturally true. By no means to I try to appear arrogant or boastful. My motivation is to bring us all into seeking truth that is consistent and contextually correct. God bless.

For convenience, I apply bullets and italics to each comment or statement, and I respond to them below each.

Let's begin...

• I suggest anyone reading this thread put their faith in Christ and the Apostles over your new revelations. How God shows His approval of his saints is through the working of miracles. This was evident in the Book of Acts. There have been many saints over the last 2000 years who God has used to perform miracles.

In all honesty I must inform that you are operating under the wrong dispensation. Today we walk by faith, not sight, 2Co.5:7. It was the Jews in the prophetic program that required signs in order to believe their prophets and apostles, 1Co.1:22; Joh.4:48. Why, because God made a covenant with them to do signs and wonders before them, Ex.34:10. He did not make this covenant with us. In addition to that, consider truthfully what the real value of signs and miracles are. During Israel’s exodus they witnessed some of the greatest signs ever recorded, like the parting of the Red Sea and so forth. But soon after they forgot all about that spectacle and worshipped a golden calf. The value of these miracles for them appeared to mean nothing! Jesus performed more miracles than what books can contain, Joh.21:25, yet only 120 were in the upper room at Pentecost. What was the value of his miracles in the eyes of those Jews who wanted to crucify him? Nothing. Zero! Miracles might have a temporary hype and be beneficial to a few, but they are quickly forgotten. Today, there is something more perfect than signs. The completed canon of scripture, Col.1:25, which provides us knowledge and insights into God and His plan for humanity and creation. By studying this book, believing it, and applying it to one’s life it more profound, more powerful, and more permanent than any physical and temporary miracles.

Why were the baptisms required for Israel?

Why were the baptisms required for Israel?

Exodus 19:5 Now, therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my Covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all the people, for all the Earth is mine. And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 19 is when Moses begins to give the Old Testament law to Israel, and he tells them right up front, God's intention with Israel is to make them a kingdom of priests.

Lev 21:16-21 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (17) Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. (18) For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, (19) Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, (20) Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (21) No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

According to Leviticus 21, there were some obvious requirements placed upon the priests who were to approach to offer the offerings of the Lord. They had to be a perfect physical specimen.

The Glorious Design and Purpose of the Word of God

The Glorious Design and Purpose of the Word of God

The four gospels are a continuation of the Old Testament, and it is all about Israel and the promised Kingdom. So, why then is Paul suddenly writing to the Gentiles in Romans? By the way, who is Paul anyways? Where did he suddenly come from? Well, you are not going to learn this in the Gospels! Acts is a transitional book recording the fall of Israel, the conversion of Paul, and why God turned to the Gentiles. Something very big happened in the book of Acts!

When Jesus was on the earth He said, “I'm not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” When he sent out his 12 disciples, He said, “Go not to any city of the Gentiles, neither go unto the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Now look at how Acts ends. Paul, in Acts 28:28 says, “Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.”

The miracle that hardly anybody speaks about

The miracle that hardly anybody speaks about

Justification is a miracle in itself! It is the declaration of your complete innocence and righteousness by God, through the imputed righteousness of Christ, when you believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, for your salvation (Rom.3:21-28; Rom.5:1-2). This is not the miracle I refer to in this post, but it is certainly connected to what I'm about to share.

The seemingly unspoken miracle that happens after one comes to the knowledge of what Biblical justification really means, is the tangible experience of liberty from a heavy bondage of sin, followed by a slow, but increasing experience of victory over its hold on you, like, the bad habits you were held captive to, the mental prison you endured, the bad language you spoke, anger, lusts, pride, and uncontrollable actions that plagued your life.

I write this, having personal experience of this miracle, and I have heard testimony of others that have had the same experiences in their lives too. Why is it so unspoken? Why don't people perceive it as a miracle? Well, it happens over time. It is not an instant change. In addition, through this whole process, one's mind and attention should be fixated on Christ and His Word, so it is only once you look back on your life that you recognize how it has been liberated, and how it has changed.

How does this miracle work?

This is NOT a sales pitch. The following is a summation formed from verses extracted from the Bible that will help you to understand the gift of justification and how it can change your life. If you are struggling with sin, if you are in bondage to its firm grasp, if you have tried everything without success, you're at the end of your rope, and constantly under condemnation, then the following can help you to break sins hold and find peace with God.

Understanding the New Testament Gospel Differences (Part 8)

Understanding the New Testament Gospel Differences (Part 8 --- Accompanying signs)

We continue with the comparison of the gospel of God and the gospel of Christ by looking at key elements that distinguish them from each other. I recommend to start at the beginning of this comparison to gain the necessary context of this series of posts.

The Kingdom gospel and the gospel of God had accompanying signs

The earthly ministry of Jesus was validated by a myriad of signs (or miracles) that He performed. These signs, according to prophecy, were to validate His ministry and prove to the Jews that He was their Messiah. To confirm this, John ends his gospel with a remarkable statement;

John 21:24-25 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

What is the Greatest Miracle?

What is the greatest miracle that one can give to another?

Is it the opportunity to heal their bodies?

Is it the ability to bring them wealth?

Is it the capacity to change their circumstances?

Q-A: What Happened to the Miracles? Today, God's focus is not on miracles that accommodate the flesh. God wants us to have faith in His Word and in His Son..

Hardships, Trials, Illness, Persecutions, Tragedies, Why? Today, the rules of the grace dispensation do not focus greatly on the physical and the external. God's focus is on our spirit and He is working on our inner man...