Is my understanding correct? The position of a "Bible Christian" is that, according to the Bible, only the Apostles themselves were given any kind of "authority" to teach in the name of Jesus Christ. Is this authority exclusive to the Apostles, it is not to be handed down, nor is it "transferable" in any way, shape, or form?
only Apostles had authority?
- Thread starter libby
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JPC sr
James P. Cusick Sr.
Mr. Ferrari
Anybody can teach in the name of Jesus Christ.
Where do you get such an idea that some people can not?
I do know that some people claim that their Christian college degree gives them superior preaching rights but every Church of every kind has told the entire congregation to go out and preach.
Anybody can teach in the name of Jesus Christ.Where do you get such an idea that some people can not?
I do know that some people claim that their Christian college degree gives them superior preaching rights but every Church of every kind has told the entire congregation to go out and preach.
Radiant1
Soul Probe
Where do you get such an idea that some people can not?
I do know that some people claim that their Christian college degree gives them superior preaching rights but every Church of every kind has told the entire congregation to go out and preach.
I'm asking a question, JPC. As a Catholic, I believe the authority to teach goes beyond the Apostles, and I'm trying to make sense of what I've been told by Bible Christians.
I believe in the succession of apostolic authority (and by "authority" I mean being able to teach definitive Truth) but Bible Christians do not. So, the question remains, which men were given the "infalliblity" to establish the church?
I think this is very important, and I started another thread that did not yield any conclusive answers, so I'm trying again.
This is exactly what I'm trying to figure out. Is this something the Bible Christians consider an implicit truth based on Jesus' calling to them?
fredcaudle
New Member
Is my understanding correct? The position of a "Bible Christian" is that, according to the Bible, only the Apostles themselves were given any kind of "authority" to teach in the name of Jesus Christ.
Authority is in Jesus Christ, not the apostles: Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Is this authority exclusive to the Apostles, it is not to be handed down, nor is it "transferable" in any way, shape, or form?
Only Jesus' authority is recognized; not apostles, pastors, priests, etc.:
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV) By the grace God has given me, I [Paul] laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV) Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Authority is in Jesus Christ, not the apostles: Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Is this authority exclusive to the Apostles, it is not to be handed down, nor is it "transferable" in any way, shape, or form?
Only Jesus' authority is recognized; not apostles, pastors, priests, etc.:
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV) By the grace God has given me, I [Paul] laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV) Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
ItalianScallion
Harley Rider
Hi Libby. Jesus gave the authority to the Apostles to teach everyone about God. Then they passed it on to others as they made converts. Another point is that the Age of Apostles, I believe, ended with the closing of the Bible Canon. (The end of the writings of the 66 books). There really are no Apostles as such today, though some claim to be. There are many disciples today, however. When Jesus chose his Apostles, He chose the 12. Then Judas killed himself so Matthias replaced him (Acts 1 v 26). Paul called himself an Apostle of Christ but he was really the last one mentioned in the Bible. Acts 1 v 22 stated that an Apostle is one who "must become a witness with us of his (Christ's) resurrection" so that really limits it to those who saw Jesus risen. Jesus commands ALL Christians to carry out the Great Commission. Christianity would have ended if they didn't "pass the baton". There are many people teaching about God & Jesus today but many of them are teaching false doctrines. James 3 tells us that we should be very careful before we consider ourselves teachers, because we will be judged much more strictly. Hope it helps.