Madman
Senior Member
Apostolic succession is not an issue.
What was, is, and remains in all falsehood is that at any given time there remain only one apostle in the earth appointed by the chief apostle of the faith, Jesus Christ.
There's much to this, just as no local assembly has to itself "one" pastor/elder/shepherd. The notion of "associate pastors", "head" pastors, assistant pastors et al, remain also as false.
The church is to have in herself the example of mutually submitted authority in demonstration specifically to this understanding
"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should hold his peace.…"
This not only indicates that there is full expectation of prophets being provided in each local assembly, but such working amongst those of such calling that there is a recognition in spirit of revelation received by another in which the first speaker, aware of such, makes way. This "making way" for one another is a potent demonstration of submission and brings about the growth in love that edifies the body.
Those who will only see or say that this can be nothing but an invitation to chaos have not yet appreciated the Lord's order.
Paul submitted his revelation to his brothers of like calling.
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Much of what has been perceived as set in order, has indeed been nothing but the chaos of the world infiltrating with its "head cheese" model, CEO, wrongly oriented pyramid with a so called laity in support of a clergy.
This will not continue unaddressed.
Israel,
I have a hard time keeping up sometimes so please help me. You said "Apostolic succession is not an issue". I believe it is a big issue, but of course there needs to be an agreement on just what apostolic or an apostle is because that may be where the difference lies.
Can you help me with how you would define it?
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