Guidelines for revelation (not talking about the book of Revelation), Part 2.
I see two levels of authority in Apostles.
First we have the New Testament Apostles and afterwards we have "sent representatives" which will never come up to the level of the New Testament Authority of the 12 Apostles.
Acts 14:14 says that Barnabas was an apostle, but he was not on the level of Apostleship as Paul. No NT scripture came from Barnabas because he did not meet the qualifications (saw the Lord personally, called directly by the Lord, not sent by men).
Barnabas was an apostle by the the Spirit through the Church and not directly from God.
Act_11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Let me put this in perspective. Since the completion of Scripture, the level of prophecy and authority will always be lower (subservient) to scripture. No prophecy or authority will result in revelation that conflicts with Scripture. Jesus brought the full revelation of God, and the Apostles saw Jesus Christ. That which follows must always be subservient. If you go beyond Christ you are going beyond grace and truth through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17-18)
The ministry of Apostle came at the time of the full revelation of God in His Son. Apostle today will always be lower than the NT Apostles and are commissioned by the Church. Prophets and Apostles today, bring the Body into maturity and this ministry has not stopped. We need the "old" revelation to come into maturity, not some "new" revelation.
The original Prophets and Apostles still have a ministry today through the Scriptures.
We do not need men to fill the role of the old prophets and apostles because the ministry continues in the body, today.
Apostolic authority and approval was the primary test for NT Canon. Error comes when revelation or prophecy are allowed to come to level of the Bible in authority. The only one who speaks in the NT without authority given is Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
The Apostles that are being talked about in Eph 2:20 are the ones that saw Jesus and were directly called by Him.
All other apostles are sent out by the Church and are subservient in authority to the early church Apostles. The NT Scriptures teach nothing about Apostolic succession. If Apostolic Succession were true and not error it would allow men's traditions and commands to rise to the same level of authority as the Scriptures (OT and NT). But instead of adding to the Bible, separate books are maintained yet they are said to have the same level of authority as the Scriptures.
Axehead
