Covenant Reformed News – August 2022 • Volume XIX, Issue 4
This article examines the distinctive authority and offices held by the apostles in the early church, arguing that apostles uniquely combined the roles of pastor, elder, and deacon while possessing greater universal authority than any of these permanent offices. The author traces biblical support for this apostolic authority across multiple epistles, particularly Paul's defense of his apostleship in 2 Corinthians, providing a Reformed theological framework for understanding apostolic ministry and its relationship to ongoing church governance.
Introducing the Signs of an Apostle The twelve apostles and the apostle Paul possessed the teaching authority of pastors, plus infallible teaching authority, including (for some of them) the authority to write inspired and canonical New Testament Scripture. These apostles also possessed the ruling authority of elders. Like them, apostles had authority to discipline, hear and decide controversies, and ordain office-bearers. Unlike elders, the apostles had the authority to direct the...