Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
I think often "prophets" in "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets" to most refers to OT prophets. However this verse might counter that notion.
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Eph 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
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The phrase "the prophets" was used in different ways in the New Testament era. It may have been used to refer to the Old Testament prophets (
Acts 3:24-25). Here, NT believers are called "children of the prophets..."
Acts 13:1 and
Acts 15:32 describe living prophets ministering during the days of the apostles.
1 Corinthians 12:28 and
1 Corinthians 14:29-32 seem to refer to the fact that "prophets" would continue to be found throughout the Church Age.
Ephesians 3:4-5 does set a time frame of "now" for the prophets described in those verses. But it would not make sense (IMHO) to categorically say that the phrase must always be understood in only this manner.
Matthew 2:23, for example, wouldn't make any sense if contemporary prophets were inserted into the meaning.
But I think what you may be looking at is an implication of
Ephesians 3:4-5 being that our faith rests upon the ministry of "prophets" who existed outside the scope of the Old Testament; ie: prophets living at the time of the apostles and possibly even today.
A lot of folks fear to tread down this path because they've been burned before. Personally, I think it's the "prophets" falsely called who will suffer from the burning (
1 Corinthians 3:10-15), but it is wise to avoid foolishness.