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Priesthood of all believers! so why Evangelists?

Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by BobRyan, Apr 8, 2005.

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  1. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    This thread is started out of courtesy to something that Matt asked on the sola scriptura thread.

    Given the fact of the "approved" sola scriptura practice of Acts 17:11, we see that it is "sufficient" to show the "Sola scriptura" principle to be approved in scripture.

    And given the fact that Gal 1:6-11 "the curse on anyone that would teach anything OTHER than we have from the NT authors" makes it an absolute MUST to practice this "verification process"...

    And given the John 16 work of the "Spirit of Truth" working on each believer (1John 2) in the New Covenant (Heb 8) so that we EACH have "The priesthood of all believers" such that ultimately "EACH ONE must stand for HIMSELF at the judgment seat of Christ" 2Cor 5 --

    Then why does God still use evangelists (that we must then test sola scriptura)?

    (Why would there be church leaders/evangelists/bible teachers for us to TEST in the first place -- if we EACH are being taught by the Holy Spirit??).

    As "with everything" I already have my own opinionated views on this topic... so I will refrain from jumping in "as fast as I normally do".

    Lets assume for the sake of this thread (as I in fact do) that these truths are valid... then why even have evangelists??

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
    #1 BobRyan, Apr 8, 2005
  2. av1611jim

    av1611jim New Member

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    Eph 4:11
    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
    12
    For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
    13
    Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
    14
    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
    15
    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
    16
    From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

    I like to let the Bible speak for itself on these easy questions. That is NOT to say that the Bible can't speak for itself on the "hard" questions. :D

    God has given certain men certain gifts to edify and teach the body of Christ in order that we may all be of "one mind" and "one faith".

    The text also illustrates that there will be men who bring in their own crafty doctrines. It is to this end that the Holy Spirit is given to every believer that we may "Search the Scriptures" to see if those things are so. And in doing so we may "prove all things, hold fast that which is good".

    In HIS service;
    Jim
     
    #2 av1611jim, Apr 13, 2005
  3. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    Eph 4 works fine - and makes the point well. The problem is that we sometimes "speculate" that until all letters are written - nobody can be saved. That was never a statement by the NT authros and was not true in the OT either.

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
    #3 BobRyan, Apr 13, 2005
  4. av1611jim

    av1611jim New Member

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    HUH?

    The proplem is....?

    In HIS service;
    Jim
     
    #4 av1611jim, Apr 13, 2005
  5. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    Matt was arguing that we should not use sola scritura arguments from the NT since at the time of the NT statements - the Bible "Scripture" had fewer letters/texts than it does today.

    But when the point is made that God has never said "scripture is still incomplete so nobody can be saved" - then the argument switches to "Well then if people are saved with INCOMPLETE scripture - why do they need evangelists and apostles to come along with MORE scripture or to EXPLAIN things".

    Hence this thread.

    In your Eph 4 quote it shows that the purpose is to build up the church. But the basic argument was that "salvation is enough" and as soon as ANY scripture (lets say the 5 books of Moses for example) is presented and is available for testing "Sola scriptura" and is also "Sufficient" to lead one to salvation - then why not stop the presses right there! No more scripture, no more evangelists, no more apostles... just stop the bus.

    Everybody just go read whatever level of scripture "is sufficient" and stop talking/preaching/evangelizing or having spiritual gifts.

    As you point out from Eph 4 the reason that the bus never stopped is because God is building up the entire group AND creating even more effective means of evangelism over time.

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
    #5 BobRyan, Apr 14, 2005
  6. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    All priests are equal but some are more equal than others. Especially the female priests.
     
    #6 billwald, Apr 16, 2005
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