Ephesians 4:8-16 ...Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he
led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended,
what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the
earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above
all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 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; 15 But speaking
the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Exhortation: Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Many church groups today are taught that there are no longer apostle or prophets in the NT church.
But the above scripture explains that after Jesus was crucified and arose, HE gave gifts to the church, ministers to work in the church ... and it names these "gifts" to the church as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Paul was not the last of the apostles. Paul was the first example we have of a NT apostle for Paul did not walk with Jesus in the flesh as the other apostles did. Rather Paul was called and given to the church after Jesus arose. Paul is an example of the first of the apostles set in the church after the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul is the first NT apostle set in the church by Jesus.
Eph. 4 explains today in NT church we have apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
And in I Cor. 12, Paul explains "some" in the body of Christ are apostles ... some are prophets, some are teachers ... I Cor. 12:28
One of the things God showed me a NT apostle does is to work with scripture, setting doctrine in the church according to scripture and dealing with false doctrine in the church groups. There are many doctrines in churches today that are not according to scripture.
To see examples of apostle working with scripture, please read following:
- The New Testament Church
- Divorce/remarriage: What the Bible teaches
- Example of work of NT apostle