Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 9, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 32.

Question Corner

By Editor

1700.—Spiritual Gifts.

We believe in spiritual gifts. These gifts consist of apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. Now that apostles, twelve in number, were a very important factor in the early church Acts 1:23-26 testifieth. Where are they to-day? Why should the true church of Christ not have them to-day? H. S. W.

Yes, the perpetuity of spiritual gifts is clearly taught in the New Testament. Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Corinthians 12; Rom. 12:3-5. Their restoration is also clearly implied in these scriptures, and in Rev. 12:17; 1 Cor. 1:7; Joel 2:23, 28-31. But why say twelve apostles? The Lord chose twelve, a number peculiar to Israel, who might be with Him and be witnesses to that people of His work and character. Of that number to that people all must have seen the Lord and been with Him in His work. Acts 1:21, 22. But apostleship was not confined to them. "Apostle" is a Greek word meaning "one sent," a delegate, an ambassador, a messenger who leads out. Jesus was an apostle, the Apostle, sent of God out into this great dark world. Heb. 3:1. Paul was an apostle. Gal. 1:1. Epaphroditus was an apostle. Phil. 2:25. Titus was an apostle. 2 Cor. 8:23. Barnabas was an apostle (Acts 11:22; 13:2; 1 Cor. 9:5, 6), and perhaps the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Here are not less than sixteen apostles mentioned in the New Testament. Any one whom God calls and sends forth to a field, or sends forth to lead out in some great movement, is truly an apostle. The true church has them to-day. In the light of these considerations you will not find it difficult to make all necessary applications.