Modern Apostles

Dr. Couch, do you believe we have modern apostles ("ones sent with a message") in the church today?

ANSWER: No, not at all. After Ephesians 4:11, the word is used sixteen times but it is referring to "evil apostles" or a few who are sent with a message in a general sense. The concept of an apostle has to do with the Twelve, those who were had seen Christ (in actuality—they walked with Him), traveled with Him, verified Him, or in a vision had seen Him, such as Paul, and was then called to verify the gospel message. These could bear witness to His reality and they were commissioned to carry forth the gospel.

Paul was appointed to be part of the "witness-ers" along with the twelve. He wrote that "in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I was a nobody" (2 Cor. 12:1). For "the signs of a true apostle were performed among you [by me] will all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles" (v. 12).

See also 1 Corinthians 15:6-11. Paul was the least of all the apostles. He's talking about the twelve who had a special place in witnessing of Christ and the gospel.

Some have questioned one verse about apostleship, and that is Romans 16:7 where Paul speaks about two men who "are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." "Apostles" in this context has to do with many apostles who were sent with a message but the context is not speaking about the Twelve. These men are never labeled with the twelve as being part of the special apostles. They were simply messengers who were "also in Christ before me" as believers but not as part of the class of the twelve (v. 7). Paul was "called (to be) an apostle of Jesus to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13, 1 Cor. 1:1). The twelve and Paul were the very "chiefest of the apostles" (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11).

The apostles the NT is talking about as the chiefest apostles is explained in Ephesians 3:5-8. There Paul speaks of the special twelve "holy apostles" "of which Paul was made a minister (along with them) according to the gift of God's grace which was given to him according to the working of His power, to Paul who was the very least of all saints to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, to bring to light what is the dispensation of the mystery (of the church)."

Paul makes an interesting statement in 1 Corinthians 15:10b. In reference to the twelve apostles, he says that he "labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." Of the twelve we only have mentioned Peter, James, and John. What were the others doing? They had a key role as witnessing of the actuality of Christ and of His ministry, and of His life, death, resurrection and ascension. Together then, Paul and the twelve "preached" the gospel and the Corinthians and others believed (v. 11). But they were not as vigorous as Paul in traveling about and working and giving the gospel. Not all have the same equal gifts or abilities. Whatever, Paul was not boasting, he was simply giving the facts.

Nicoll writes that Paul had ministered "over a region wider than all the Twelve had traversed up to this date." However, some say Paul is criticizing the apostles (minus Peter, James, and John) because they were more stationary than he. Whichever, the statement is interesting. Mitchell writes in my commentary series that Paul "has not yet recovered" from "the wonder of it all" that he should be elevated to the honor and office of apostleship, 'because I persecuted the church of God.'"

No matter what "the grace of God" was with Paul in placing him alongside the ministry of the Twelve.

Thanks for asking.
—Dr. Mal Couch (4/11)

Matthew 7 and Salvation

Dr. Couch, I have heard some say that Matthew 7:13-27 is about the church; they make a case for belief not being enough to enter the kingdom—only those who do the will of the Father will enter. It seems this section is dealing with false prophets. Aren't these the predominant ones during the time of Christ who claimed to prophesy, etc. And, who were the ones doing this stuff in Israel at the time of Christ? ANSWER:  I won't be able to deal with this entire section in this short answer. It is important to say here that there are many spiritual principles in this section (Matthew 5-7: The Sermon on the Mount). So I will simply point out some observations that would tell us this is not first for the church; it has to do with what was happening with the nation of Israel as Christ began His ministry. And the passage is more than simply about false teachers.    Note the following: (1) The entire section has to do with the presentation of the millennial kingdom, here called "The kingdom of heaven" (5:3; 10, 19, 20; 6:10, 33; 7:21). (2) The church is made up of Jews and Gentiles but in this section, Christ compares the Jews with the Gentiles (5:47; 6:7, 32). (3) The Lord speaks of the synagogue in this section (6:2, 5), and (4) The giving of alms, which was a distinct Jewish practice (6:2, 3). Note 6:2: the church is not even around! "When you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues ..." 5:20 is a distinct Jewish passage that cannot be understood unless one sees that the verse is aimed at the thinking of the Jews. "I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes (Jewish) and Pharisees (very Jewish), you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."    Those who try to make a direct application of the Sermon on the Mount to the church have no understanding of history. There is no question but that the "kingdom of heaven, kingdom of God" is a description of the messianic kingdom! In no way is this used to describe the church age! If this is settled in one's mind, this section of verses makes definite sense. Again, while there are many principles that we can embrace in the Sermon on the Mount, it is not directed to the church age. We can have secondary application in some things the Lord says, but not direct application!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Oct.2009)

Predicting the End Times

Dr. Couch, have you heard of the gentleman in California who is predicting the coming of the End Times on October 31, 2010? ANSWER;  No, I have not, but I'm not interested! I've lived long enough to hear all kinds of things. I personally believe that we can say we are rapidly moving into the season of the rapture of the church and the beginning of the seven year tribulation period, but we must be careful to set dates because the Scriptures do not! I believe we are into what the Bible speaks about—the apostasy of the church. But how long this period will last before the saints are caught away, no one knows. I believe this apostasy because of the "departure" ("the standing away") we see clearly taking place all around us, both in the world and in our churches. These days fit that description perfectly. But even with this, I prefer to be cautious. I could be wrong!    However, several things make me sense that we are indeed into the apostasy. (1) The fact that the entire world is now so tied together. And: (2) What is happening in one place is happening everywhere! (3) Israel is back in the land! (4) And the idea of a one-world global government is part of the discussion among all the nations on the earth! (5) As well, the clear determination to drive the Jews into the sea. (6) The rampant explosion of immorality that is consuming all nations. This is exacerbated by worldwide communications, that whatever happens in one place, quickly spreads to another. Evil is being compounded and in no way is slowing down!    I will not write anymore on this because I have treated it many times in past articles. By the way, everyone should read 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. Does this not sound like what is happening in America today? (Share these verses at your church or with your Sunday school class!)    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch