Theology | The Overflow

Apr 30 2013

New Wineskins: Rethinking Apostleship in the Churches of Christ

In Ephesians 4:11, the apostle Paul informs believers of various leadership roles present in the church:

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up … ~ Ephesians 4:11 (NIV11)

Five roles are listed: 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) evangelists, 4) pastors, and 5) teachers.

Unlike gift lists found in other places (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8), here Paul specifically calls different types of leaders the “gifts” Christ gave to serve the church. Each role was ordained by Jesus, and specific individuals were created, uniquely gifted, and “given” to fill them.

The goal driving this five-fold organizational scheme was exceedingly lofty – “so that the body of Christ may be built up” – so here’s my question: why does the traditional Church of Christ interpretation of Ephesians 4:11 eliminate one of these roles from the contemporary church equation? —> Continue Reading in New Wineskins

Tagged apostle, apostles, apostleship, big a apostle, church of christ, churches of christ, do apostle's still exist, do apostles exist today?, little a apostle, new wineskins, restoration movement, what are apostles, what is an apostle

Mar 27 2013

21 Comments

Baptism, Theology

David Platt: ‘What is a Biblical Response to the Gospel?’ Answer: Calvinism?

Well known Reformed Southern Baptist pastor David Platt caused a stir last year by criticizing the sinner’s prayer – the traditional prayer most Baptists (and several other groups) teach new believers to pray to “accept Christ.”

At that time David passionately pointed out that the practice is not in the Bible, that our role is not to “accept” Christ, and that Christians should not practice something that is not in the Bible.

Recently, David sat down to answer some follow up questions about his statement last year. In this short video, David answers the question, “If there is not a specific prayer to pray, how then should we respond to the gospel?” Here’s his answer: Continue reading →