Based on previous online conversations I’ve met at least three of the two witnesses online. Btw, I had a similar experience with someone in the IPHC. I met him and asked him what to call him. He said people usually called him Apostle such and such. I was going to laugh, but then I realized he was serious.Btw, I’m open to the idea that God might give someone an apostolic gift to plaint churches and preach Christ in new areas, for example, but using it as a title is over the top. I’m not a big fan of using ‘Pastor’ that way, either. It’s the same sort of thing to me.I remember in the old days (iow the ’70’s and ’80’s ) , it seems like pastors were ‘brother so and so’ and so were the men in the congregation________________
Big question no short answers but self proclaimed apostles and prophets are numerous in two streams: the black church and of course the prophetic stream. That said, I believe in and support the 5 fold ministry gifts as being valid today just as much as I believe that all 9 gifts of the spirit are in evidence today. Paul gave defence of his apostleship in this way:
You would think, with this new age of apostles, here in the good old USofA we would have much more in the way of signs, wonders and miracles taking place. Also, instead of the current situation of trying to attack Christians who are members of other churches (in what is becoming a zero sum game) we would see many new members being brought in to many new churches. If only a title on a calling card could bring this about, the Kingdom of God rain supreme in the hearts of Americans.
Prophets
Prophets are very few in the COG. Most pastors think they are one.
I took the post as a broad based observation and not as a racial attack. I see this as another manifestation of the self bestowed title issue (Doctor, Bishop, Apostle, Prophet and even Arch-Bishop). What ever happen to the title Brother?
Re: I took the post as …
Now, Mat, son, the ole timer was havin a good day till you had to go an bring up Earl Pearly Paulk, Jr., the most Archest Arch Bishop of all.
JD, the ole timer can ashore ya, the original post had not a hint of racial bias/attack. The two apostles just happened to be African-American. The principle would be and is the same even if the persons were red/yeller/black/white/blue all in one. No anti-African-American sentiment in my post at all.