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Sandy's newsletter -

>>Subject: Volume 8, Issue 4 - "DECEPTION IN THE CHURCH" e-Newsletter

Want to be able to see your way through to clear biblical discernment? Want a set of tools that will allow you to disciple your loved ones so they will stand firm in the Faith? Want to sort out many of the false arguments and teachings that have invaded the churches? Then DISCERNMENT TOOLKIT is for you! This limited edition book is available now for $15.00 plus $4.00 s/h.  Non US Postal addresses are $15.00 plus $9.00 s/h. Order by PayPal or mail today! .....

WHAT ARE THE GRACE GIFTS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP TODAY?

The grace gifts of leadership, or more accurately servant leadership, are listed as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers or pastor-teachers, depending on your interpretation.  The gift of foundational Apostleship is no longer our concern as no one today fits the criteria to be a foundational apostle........... There is no one today who can meet the biblical criteria to be a foundational Apostle.  But there are "apostles" in the Church today, "sent out" ones, messengers, mainly church planting missionaries....

The gift of prophecy is also somewhat different today. There are no longer any "foundational" prophets (Eph. 2:20)......... There are prophets today. But they are also to be held up to the same standards as any biblical prophet. What they prophesy must be biblical and what they predict must come true (Deut. 13:1-3, 18:20)......<<

Hi Sandy,

With all due respect as much as I would want to sound encouraging and be helpful, I really think you need to give these matters of modern day apostles and prophets another look. I know you won’t listen to me, but have you heard of ‘Peer Review’? I’ve found it so useful. You need to find one who really knows Scripture, not just one who agrees with everything you say, but who can make some sound challenge or objective criticism so you rethink, defend and study before you write.

Your book (if it’s like you say) could even be an endorsed handbook by the very people you label deceivers in the church, and you fail to realise this totally.

I must be ‘cruel to be kind’, I really recommend (at the very least) you get yourself some decent books and do a proper study before publishing another handbook for Pentecostalism. How you can hold such a confusion of doctrine is one thing, but be ignorant of its implications is another. Please, get hold of something like John F MacArthur’s classical book, “Charismatic Chaos” (Zondervan Publ. 1992). Start with the simple and obvious - ask God to reveal the truth. I would maintain God doesn't give Pentecostals miraculous (or semi-apostolic) gifts to interpret Scripture, they must do the ‘hard study’ like the rest of us.

Regards

Mark Purchase