"It is clear that the New Testament Church was an apostolic church. Its leadership consisted of the apostles, who were given this authority by our Lord that included the powers to bind and loose (Mt. 16:9; 18:8), forgive sins (Jn. 20:21-23), baptize (Mt. 28:18-20), and make disciples (Mt. 28:18-20). We see it exhibited in numerous ways throughout the New Testament, including teaching that the Church is built on Christ and his apostles (Eph. 2:19-22), deliberating and pronouncing within an episcopal structure about a theological controversy (Acts 15:1-30), proclaiming what constitutes an appropriate reception of true doctrine (1 Cor. 15:3-11), rebuking and excommunicating (Acts 5:1-11;Acts 8:14-24; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:10-11), judging the adequacy of a believer’s penance or penitent state (2 Cor. 2:5-11; 1 Cor. 11:27), the ordaining and appointing of ministers (Acts 14:23; I Tim. 4:14), choosing successors (Acts 1:20-26), and entrusting the apostolic tradition to the next generation (2 Thess. 2:15; I Tim. 2:2)." --Francis J. Beckwith
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 03:22:47 +0000
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