Comments on: Apostolic Practice, by Vinson Synan

By: Pneuma Review

Pneuma Review — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:29:28 +0000

On https://www.facebook.com/groups/pentecostaltheologyworldwide, JDK wrote:
“Excellent. When Dr. Synan was in Jakarta a number of years ago I had dinner with him and a visiting pastor from the USA. During the dinner some aspects of the modern claims of apostolic ministry were discussed and Dr. Synan shared a number of the things he shared in this article and in more depth and perhaps more current application. It was an interesting evening.”

By: Pneuma Review

Pneuma Review — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:29:28 +0000

On https://www.facebook.com/groups/pentecostaltheologyworldwide, RK wrote:
“I read this overview of the background and current perspectives on the title ‘apostle’ with much appreciation. Dr. Synan summarizes so well the history, the current trends, and the dangers. I particularly appreciate his list of reservations with the current apostolic movement. However, I wonder about the implication of the last paragraph, namely, that the church can content itself with the function of apostle without the title. That seems like a safe path in light of all the abuses that have occurred, but does it also impose a foreign influence on the pattern of ministry we find the NT? I’m still thinking about that one.”

By: Scott Lencke

Scott Lencke — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:29:27 +0000

Just a couple comments to consider about what distinguishes a genuine apostle (from pg3 of the article). The first 2, I think, possibly miss what the noted Scriptures are actually stating.

1) True apostles saw Jesus in the flesh and witnessed the Resurrection (see 1 Cor. 9:1).

This also gets connected with Acts 1:21-22. But none of these verses actually say an apostle must have seen the risen Christ. In 1 Cor 9:1, Paul does point to his seeing of the risen Christ. But this is not unequivocally connected to being an apostle. Otherwise, we need to deal with how his first rhetorical question relates: Am I not free?

With Acts 1:21-22, this is not so much pointing to seeing the risen Christ, but to being witnesses/testifying to the fact that Christ is risen.

2) True apostles are accompanied by “signs, wonders and miracles” (2 Cor. 12:12).

In this passage, the word “signs” is being used twice. In the first instance, the “true signs of an apostle” relate to Paul’s suffering. That’s what takes place in the life of a true apostle, which is in contradistinction to the super-apostles and their boasting. Then, Paul says he came with “signs, wonders and miracles”. So, while I’m happy to attest that apostles normally are used in the the miraculous, it might be a bit too strict to say they MUST be. But 2 Cor 12:12 is not saying what we normally think it is about the “true signs of an apostle”.

By: Bibliata TV

Bibliata TV — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:49:51 +0000

Scott Lencke It looks like a great resource and perhaps Pneuma Review needs to soon create a separate discussion on apostles from MacArthur’s book. Wouldn’t be questionable however to regard the comments of a non-apostle on apostolic ministry? In the same way as the link on the resource you’ve mentioned regarding Ed Stetzer on apostils and missions, who aside of his great accomplishments has never served in full capacity in neither one of these ministerial offices (apostle or missionary).

By: Scott Lencke

Scott Lencke — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:28:49 +0000

UK church leader & theologian, Adrian Warnock, has been regularly engaging with MacArthur's conference and book. Here is his article in which he comments on MacArthur's thoughts on present-day apostles: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/adrianwarnock/2013/11/strange-fire-every-biblical-argument-refuted-apostles-today/.

By: Bibliata TV

Bibliata TV — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:31:34 +0000

Then you get to Paul who saw the resurrected Lord under special circumstances on the road of Damascus. Perhaps Pneuma should pick on MacArthur’s requirements for apostleship as well. Very timely text by Dr. Synan. I love the last words:

It is axiomatic to say that anyone who claims to be an apostle probably is not one. An apostle is not self-appointed or elected by any ecclesiastical body but is chosen by the Lord himself. As Lewi Pethrus, founder of the famous Filadelphia Church in Stockholm, Sweden, has said anyone who claims apostleship is suspect. The one most likely to be an apostle is he who, like John the Baptist, claims only to be “a voice crying in the wilderness.”

By: Pneuma Review

Pneuma Review — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:28:58 +0000

On https://www.facebook.com/groups/pentecostaltheologyworldwide, RK wrote:
"I read this overview of the background and current perspectives on the title 'apostle' with much appreciation. Dr. Synan summarizes so well the history, the current trends, and the dangers. I particularly appreciate his list of reservations with the current apostolic movement. However, I wonder about the implication of the last paragraph, namely, that the church can content itself with the function of apostle without the title. That seems like a safe path in light of all the abuses that have occurred, but does it also impose a foreign influence on the pattern of ministry we find the NT? I’m still thinking about that one."

By: Pneuma Review

Pneuma Review — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:27:22 +0000

On https://www.facebook.com/groups/pentecostaltheologyworldwide, JDK wrote:
"Excellent. When Dr. Synan was in Jakarta a number of years ago I had dinner with him and a visiting pastor from the USA. During the dinner some aspects of the modern claims of apostolic ministry were discussed and Dr. Synan shared a number of the things he shared in this article and in more depth and perhaps more current application. It was an interesting evening."

By: Scott Lencke

Scott Lencke — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:33:39 +0000

Just a couple comments to consider about what distinguishes a genuine apostle (from pg3 of the article). The first 2, I think, possibly miss what the noted Scriptures are actually stating.

1) True apostles saw Jesus in the flesh and witnessed the Resurrection (see 1 Cor. 9:1).

With Acts 1:21-22, this is not so much pointing to seeing the risen Christ, but to being witnesses/testifying to the fact that Christ is risen.

2) True apostles are accompanied by “signs, wonders and miracles” (2 Cor. 12:12).

In this passage, the word "signs" is being used twice. In the first instance, the "true signs of an apostle" relate to Paul's suffering. That's what takes place in the life of a true apostle, which is in contradistinction to the super-apostles and their boasting. Then, Paul says he came with “signs, wonders and miracles”. So, while I'm happy to attest that apostles normally are used in the the miraculous, it might be a bit too strict to say they MUST be. But 2 Cor 12:12 is not saying what we normally think it is about the "true signs of an apostle".