The idea of Elders is older than the New Testament and much more widespread. Cities had elders who sat at the gates, and we see an example of that in the story of Ruth. Boaz went to the gates and made a transaction for a...
The twelve apostles walked with Jesus, so they certainly saw him. Paul also saw Jesus, he had a specific encounter with Christ that actually left him blind, but additionally he was caught up to heaven. He wrote saying, 'Am I not free? Am I not an...
The story of Cain & Abel is a story of competition, pride, jealousy, and ultimately about true motivations towards God and others. Abel had a good motivation towards God, made a true sacrifice, and God considered him righteous. Jesus said so in Matthew 23:35. But Cain...
During one of Jesus' visits to Jerusalem for the Passover, many people saw the miracles he did and wanted to follow him. But Johns gospel records the following: 'But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any...
Little kids love to copy their fathers. If Dad is changing a tyre, a little boy has to be out there doing it too, even though they may not actually help in any way. There is something that makes them want to copy. Jesus, even as...
It's easy to understand why people struggle with the idea of there being apostles. I think we are all wrestling with it, because it is what it means that we are wrestling with. For some, the wrestle is with the supernatural. Nobody today seems to have...
There was a time not so long ago when to say that there were still apostles was almost heretical, but if you got away with saying it, people would certainly disagree. There were of course apostles in Bible times, they wrote a lot of the New...
A few years ago I read 'The Great Emergence' by Phyllis Tickle. It's basic idea was that Christianity is changing and she gave reasons for that thought. In the introduction to the book Phyllis said that it seemed that about every 500 years the Lord...
There is a clear, biblical way to understand and teach what an apostle is. Prior to appointing the 12 apostles of the Lamb (and afterwards various others referred to in Ephesians 4:11), there first was established another apostle. This prior apostle, Christ himself, defines the role....
Why the the future of the church depends on healthy leaders, not on better attractions and entertainment. I just returned from a ‘Missional Café.’ It is an annual event for church planters. I must confess that although it was great to connect with people, my mind...
