| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ( B ) HOLY SCRIPTURE – FIRM FOUNDATION The specific issue regarding the finished foundational work of the apostle and prophet is the Word of God. The scriptures show that God, Christ, is Truth and as such He is therefore the necessary foundation for His church, His spiritual house, which is the body of saints, ( 1 Peter 2:5 ). The apostles and prophets had a specific and direct role in receiving and distributing Gods’ Word to mankind. Therefore, those spiritual roles qualified the apostle and prophet for making up the rest of the foundation of Gods’ church. Gods’ Word, the scripture of truth ( Daniel 10:21 ), is the foundation of the body of Christian believers. For without the Word of God, no one could be born again and no one could then spiritually grow and mature, ( 1 Peter 1:23, 2:2 / James 1:18, 21 / Deuteronomy 8:3 / Hebrews 5:12-14 ). Let’s begin looking at Gods’ foundation and how it relates to His Word starting with Jesus Christ our chief corner stone; 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1 11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. - Rev. 19:11-13 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. - Luke 24:27 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. - Luke 24:44 Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He is Truth. Therefore, Christ substantiates and verifies who His very person and work are by the scriptures. ( Now, Jesus also verified who He was by the many miracles which He performed but here I wish to focus on His relationship to the Word of God, the holy scriptures. John 14:9-12 / Acts 2:22 ) How did mankind obtain that Word of God ? By holy men of God, prophets and apostles such as Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, David, Luke, James, Peter and so on, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. So then Jesus Christ, because He is Truth, is the origin and founder of our faith, the chief corner stone of the churchs’ foundation. The prophet and apostle being the direct link between God and mankind for obtaining and distributing Gods’ Truth therefore enables those holy men of God to join with Jesus Christ and form the foundation of the Christian church. One important piece of evidence to help us understand why the spiritual roles of apostle and prophet have not been needed since the time of the early Christian church is this issue of holy scripture itself, the Word of God. They had the important job, with Gods’ help of course, for establishing holy scripture for mankind. Once Gods’ Truth was in its’ finished written form, once all that God needed to say to mankind was documented in writing, then the need for the apostle and prophet ceased. Truth was established for all mankind to read, search, hear and know for themselves. Let us now see the relationship of the apostle and prophet in regard to the Word of God. First of all, starting once again with Jesus Christ our chief corner stone, the scriptures state; 19. And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: - Luke 24:19 1. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; - Hebrews 3:1 Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, was Himself a Prophet and Apostle. Quite appropriate that Christ, the churchs’ corner stone, should hold those two particular spiritual roles as did the other men of God who help comprise the churchs’ spiritual foundation. The scriptures write further; 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. - 2 Peter 1:19-21 1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: - 2 Peter 3:1-2 17. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; - Jude 1:17 30. Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. - Nehemiah 9:30 6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. - Revelation 22:6 1. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. - Romans 3:1-2 11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. - Gal. 1:11-12 Within these few verses we see a direct connection between Gods’ Word and the spiritual roles of apostle and prophet. God directly gave and committed His Holy Word to the prophets and apostles. Those holy men were the distributors, the propagators of Gods’ very Word to mankind, both in oral and written form. To them was entrusted the receiving and dispersing of Gods’ Word. Notice the words of Abraham to the rich man in hellfire; 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. - Luke 16:29-31 What does Abraham mean when he speaks of Moses and the prophets ? Simply, he is referring directly to the Word of God which had been given to Moses and the Old Testament prophets. Abraham is not speaking of the people themselves. The point being is that Moses, who himself was a prophet ( Deuteronomy 34:10 ), along with the other Old Testament prophets were instruments for receiving Gods’ Truth from God Himself and thus dispersing that holy Word to mankind. Thus, the Word of God having been completed in its' entirety of written form at the time of the early years of the Christian church, there was then no more reason to have an apostle and prophet. All that God needed to say to mankind on earth was completed in the holy scriptures. Therefore, the spiritual roles of apostle and prophet were integrally connected to the Word of God and truly to Christ Himself who is the Word of God and was also an Apostle and Prophet. Keeping this important connection in mind while examining other scriptures will help the Christian reader have a good understanding for why no apostle or prophet of God has ever needed restoring in the Christian church. Moreover, having this understanding will help prove why no apostle or prophet ( and prophetess ) exists today in the Christian church. Next, understanding the righteousness of God is further characteristic evidence which reveals why no portion of the foundation of the Christian church, ( Christ and the apostles and prophets ), need never be restored. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |