Is a Prophet under an Apostle, in the Church?

By John Chopores

 

1 Corinthians 12:28  And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.[NKJV].

This verse does not seem to giving levels of Authority, but the time order in which the ministry gifts are needed to start a new local church!

First the Apostles come into an area, to help start a church. Then mature Prophets to help build up the people's faith. Then the new local church rises up its own: apostles, prophets; and evangelists, pastors and teachers!

 

As the new local church grows, it will show fore the gifts of the Spirit!

 

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

This verse seems to show that an Apostle is different than an evangelist.

After a local church grows some, it will be sending fore full-time evangelists.

 

 

Ephesians 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In this verse, Apostles and Prophets seem to be equal! The foundation of the Church Universal is the 12 Apostles that had physically seen Jesus; plus the Old Testament Prophets (including John the Baptist). Cf. Mt 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

 5 ¶ These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans

Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

 Re 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The apostle Paul being added after Judas Iscariot fell away.  Cf.

Joh 6:71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Ac 1:25 "to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."

1Co 15:8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Ro 1:1 ¶ Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

 

However, a modern day Apostle becomes a part of the foundation of a church that he helps start! Cf. 1Co 9:2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

The same is probably true of a modern day Prophet.

 

 

Acts 15:4  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:6 ¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

We can see from these verses that both apostles and elders considered some matters.

So, we can see that in the local church, Apostles were not all powerful! Only God is!      

And even the whole local church voted on some things! Cf. Acts 15:22 ¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: