5 Smooth Stones

Today there is not much opposition to the idea that there are pastors, teachers and evangelists in the church. But there once was. When the Wesley brothers were used to help restore the o ffi ce of the evangelist to the church, the justi fi cation often used by others to persecute them was that there were no more evangelists since the fi rst apostles died. As the Lord is currently calling men to serve as ministers representing all fi ve of the gifts it is important that we understand that heaven will continue to hold the Lord and delay His second coming until He has completed the restoration of all these things (Acts 3:2). ENDNOTES: 3 Many Scholars have suggested that somehow the eleven apostles who chose Ma tt hias to replace Judas Iscariot were somehow mistaken and the Lord really wanted Saul, who became known as Paul. However, this cannot be the case as Paul did not then nor ever ful fi ll the requirements as one of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14). This title and the position of the twelve apostles was only available to someone who met the requirements laid out in Acts 1:21-22, only someone who was a disciple present with the company of Jesus from his baptism by John all the way until the day when He ascended as a witness with us of His resurrection. The apostle Paul and all other apostles after him do not ful fi ll these requirements. 4 An example of those who believe there are no apostles since the twelve, based upon the requirements for the twelve, is found in THE BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY (New Testament, originally published in 2 volumes) WARREN W. WIERSBE One of the quali fi cations for an apostle was that - he had seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:22; 1 Corinthians 9:1); and, since nobody can claim that experience today, there are no apostles in the church. The Apostles and prophets laid the foundation for the church (Ephesians 2:20), and the pastors, teachers, and evangelists are building on it. If there are no apostles, there can be no "signs of an apostle" as are found in the Book of Acts (2 Corinthians 12:12).” (from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) “The Generosity of the Believers (Acts 4:32-37) Of course none of the other apostles listed in scripture are known to have seen Christ before his ascension, most notably the apostle Paul, who wrote these verses. The scriptures always hold more weight in interpreting their own meaning than the scholars who contradict the clear meaning found in scripture. (Acts 1:22; 1 Corinthians 9:1); and, since nobody can claim that experience today, there are no apostles in the church. The Apostles and prophets laid the foundation for the church (Ephesians 2:20), and the pastors, teachers, and evangelists are building on it. If there are no apostles, there can be no "signs of an apostle" as are found in the Book of Acts (2 Corinthians 12:12).” (from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) “The Generosity of the Believers (Acts 4:32-37) Of course none of the other apostles listed in scripture are known to have seen Christ before his ascension, most notably the apostle Paul, who wrote these verses. The scriptures always hold more weight in interpreting their own meaning than the scholars who contradict the clear meaning found in scripture.

16