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.

Rejection of the authority and ministry of the Apostle Paul

Educating you through comparing false doctrines and unbelief with truth and faith

It is heart-wrenching to see the lack of knowledge and understanding of God's Word. The New Testament is short enough to be read over a few days, and its content is not difficult to understand. The problem is that people are either so brainwashed in bad teachings or so rigid in the doctrines they have been exposed to that they refuse to see the truth that is so plainly set out before them, or they claim to be believers but do not really believe that the Bible is God's words. If one does not TRULY believe that the Bible is God's words, then twisting them, adding to them, or scrapping parts of the scripture to make it say what one wants is the order of the day.

It is my heartfelt pray that people will come back to believing that the King James Bible is TRULY God's words and that is they simply read the book without preconceived notions or prejudice, but rather with humility and with a heart that wants to hear what God says, then they will come to see the truth and discover the glories, the wonders, and the majesty in the Word of God.

The following is documented for your learning. There are many who are still in darkness of the truth and do not even know it. Please recognize the false doctrines they proclaim; learn what language they speak and educate yourself to avoid falling into these traps. 

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 5 - Perform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 5 - Perform / Adorn)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Perform (Adorn) 

Being transformed in the mind, by the ‘form of doctrine’ delivered to us by Paul, brings us to conform to the image of Christ. Conforming to the image of Christ is not passive. One cannot show forth Christ without action. Conforming to Christ is active and dynamic. We perform as He did in behaviour, in operation, in function. We present Christ to the world, we execute His will and judgements, we accomplish the work he works within us. All this is performed by the Word of God living within us. It is the truth of the Word that compels us, influencing our thoughts, our speech, and our actions. In Titus, Paul refers to it descriptively as ‘adorning’ the doctrine.

Tit.2:10  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Adorn, the Greek word κοσμέω (kosmeo: Gk 2885) in the above verse, means to put in order, arrange, make ready, or prepare. It also means to ornament or adorn. Metaphorically, it can mean to embellish with honour or gain honour. Synonyms can include: Decorate, Embellish, Adorn, Beautify, Garnish. 

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 4 - Conform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 4 - Conform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Conform (Grk: schematic) 

There is one schematic, one image that God wants you to conform to; the image of His Son!

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Conformation in word and deed can only occur by transformation of the mind, concerning what you believe. The problem and solution are in the mind of man.

Gal 5:19-23  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  (20)  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  (21)  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There is nothing in your flesh except sin and death. The works of the flesh is your natural state. It is the way your mind operates in its default state. Isn’t it interesting to note that what the Spirit produces in you is not called ‘works’ but rather ‘fruit’? The fruit of the spirit is NOT works. You cannot work up love, you cannot produce joy in yourself, you cannot strive for peace. These things come by the operation of the spirit which is of God, 1Cor 2:12, which is present in you through the knowledge and inspiration of the word of God.

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 3 - Transform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 3 - Transform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Transform (Grk: metamorphis) 

The Lord has given us a form of doctrine through the pen of Paul. His 13-epistles are a curriculum, a structure of ordered content that is designed to inform us of God and His will and ways for this dispensation. We can neglect this doctrine concerning God’s will and ways and walk around in the vanity of our own mind, darkened in our understanding, and completely ignorant of the life of God and His plans for us, or we can choose to study this doctrine and allow it to become informed within us, which will lead us to the next step in this study; becoming transformed by the renewing of our mind.

By default, we are in the image of the world. Our mind is in vanity, focused only on this life which is temporary and fleeting. As we become informed of our doctrine, we open ourselves up to be transformed (transported, translated) into a new way of thinking and living, and in essence, to reveal to us a new image of life in Christ.

It is the information of spiritual knowledge within our mind that helps us to connect with, and discern, the spiritual things of God. Without this information, all we have is carnal, emotional religion, that comes from the imaginations of men who have darkened understandings to the truth of God, Eph.4:17-8.

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 2 - Inform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 2 - Inform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Inform (Information - The Work of Faith)

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE which was delivered you.

If you are not delivering a sound form of doctrine, all you are doing is preaching stories and fables based on a vain imagination.

Rom_1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

1Ti_1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith:

2Ti_1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

What do we mean by form?

The doctrine and sound words that Paul gave to us by inspiration of God is structured in a specific form. It’s in the form of a curriculum that is designed to save us and then educate us from babes in Christ to sons of God. Since it has a design, we cannot just live on a few favourite scriptures. We cannot isolate a few passages and not study the form.