p. 8 | Apostles and Prophets by S. N. HASKELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1916

Apostles and Prophets

By S. N. HASKELL

S. N. HASKELL

The gifts of apostleship and prophecy are two distinct gifts, and both are essential for the prosperity of the church. Had it not been for the gift of prophecy, there would never have been a Bible. Without the gift of apostleship there would never have been any religious reformers.

Christ is the greatest apostle ever given to this earth. We are admonished to consider him as the apostle of our profession. Heb. 3:1. By considering Christ's apostleship, we can better understand what is embraced by that gift. He was a forerunner, a witness, a leader, a commander. Heb. 6:20; Isa. 55:3-5.

In Christ all the gifts were seen in their perfection. The various gifts were placed in the church, and were to continue “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.” Eph. 4:11-14.

While every prophet was a mouthpiece for God, yet not all held the same position in the church. Not all prophets were apostles, neither were all apostles prophets. In the history of the church, there have been times when many possessed the gift of prophecy. Moses mentions seventy contemporary prophets, and in the early Christian church there were at least fifteen. But there was never more than one leading prophet in the church at one time. A leading prophet possessed the gift of apostleship as well as the gift of prophecy. Such were John the Baptist, Moses, Paul, and all whom God raised up to lead his people from time to time. All other prophets were subject to the leading prophet. 1 Cor. 14:31, 32, 37; Gal. 2:11-14.

Miriam, who was a prophetess herself, was not permitted to criticize Moses, the leading prophet. Numbers 12. God lays responsibility on a leading prophet that he lays upon no other man or set of men. In a special sense he is amenable to God, and God alone. Kings, rulers, priests, and apostles obey the voice of God when instructed by a leading prophet. Aaron and Miriam were chosen with Moses to lead Israel from the Egyptian bondage (Micah 6:4); but God recognized Moses as the chief leader, as shown in the following words: “By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” Hosea 12:13.

Regarding John the Baptist, Jesus said, “What went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” Luke 7:26-30. The life of self-renunciation and devotion to his calling, with the gift of apostleship, or messenger of God for a specific work, made John much more than simply a prophet.

The apostle Paul was a prophet, and not a “whit behind the very chiefest apostles.” He also had the responsibility of “the care of all the churches.” 2 Cor. 11:5, 28. There were opened before him wonders of redeeming grace not revealed to all prophets. “He was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Cor. 12:1-5; 1 Cor. 2:9, 10.

The prophet Agabus gave some important revelations to the church, even to Paul himself, and Philip had four daughters who prophesied; but none of these filled the position of the great apostle to the Gentiles, who was the leading prophet for that time.

The ancient prophets were called seers. 1 Sam. 9:9. The Spirit of prophecy has ever been eyes for the church. It is the gift through which God speaks directly to the church.

An apostle is not infallible. In the days of Paul, the apostles or leading brethren made a serious mistake in advising Paul to follow human policy; and if the overruling providence of God had not interfered, Paul would have lost his life. Acts 21.

When the ark was taken up from Kirjath-jearim, David, with the best of motives, decided to carry it as the Philistines had carried it. He consulted with every captain and with every leader, “and all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” They did more than this: “all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.” Notwithstanding all this, they made a great mistake, and Uzza was smitten simply because they left out of their reckoning the instruction which had been given by the prophet of the Lord. 1 Chron. 13:1-13. Moses, the prophet of God, although he had been dead many years, had given special direction how to carry the ark of God. Num. 4:5, 6, 15; 7:9; 1 Chron. 15:11-15. This experience demonstrated one truth: the death of a prophet does not in any degree lessen the force of the testimony given. Human reason is an unsafe guide when it disregards the instruction given by the prophet of the Lord.

When King Jehoshaphat prayed for deliverance from his enemies, the

prophet Jahaziel planned the entire battle contrary to human reasoning. Jehoshaphat “bowed his head.” He called his army together, and delivered in their hearing a statement which has come down to us through the ages with all the strength that it had that day when all Judah, led by their king, believed the prophet of the Lord and gained the greatest victory recorded in the Bible: “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chron. 20:20.

The course of King Amaziah was in direct contrast to that of Jehoshaphat. Amaziah served God and accepted the testimony of the prophet when the testimony pleased him; but when the prophet came with reproof for the course he was pursuing, he resented it at once, and said to the prophet, “Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldst thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.” 2 Chron. 25:1-16. The remainder of the chapter is not only the history of Amaziah, but a history of many others who have followed their own counsel instead of accepting the counsel of the prophet of the Lord.

God highly honored the remnant by placing among them a prophet who has given a divine setting to every truth that has made us a peculiar people. Many a time we have come up to difficulties which, like the Red Sea, seemed impassable. Apostate prophets and apostate apostles have testified that there was nothing but failure before us; but the old ship Zion has steadily plowed its way through the breakers. From a very small beginning, the work has steadily grown until it has encircled the earth. When unbelief has said “Failure,” the old ship has steadily moved forward, and will continue on its way until it lands all who stay on board, safely on the other shore.

The prophet of the Lord has been laid to rest. Our success depends upon following the instruction given, which is sufficient to carry through safely all who will heed it.

“It is not good to distrust even men when they have managed our affairs well thus far, and it is madness to distrust God.”