Faith without religion.
The Legitimacy of Modern LDS Apostleship Through Biblical Criteria
In a recent episode of “Heart of the Matter,” host Shawn McCraney delved into the topic of apostles within the LDS Church, contrasting them with the apostles of early Christianity. Reflecting on a personal experience at the LDS Church Headquarters, McCraney questioned the qualifications of modern LDS apostles compared to those chosen by Jesus Christ. He emphasized that the original apostles were firsthand witnesses of Jesus and were called directly by Him, a standard he argues is not met by LDS apostles today.
McCraney explored the biblical foundation of apostleship, citing Ephesians 2:19-20, which describes the church as being built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. He argued that this foundation was laid once and for all, and does not require continual replacement. The qualifications for apostleship, according to McCraney, include being a firsthand witness of Jesus, being called by Christ, being infallibly inspired, and possessing the power to perform miracles.
The episode challenged the notion of a revolving quorum of twelve apostles within the LDS Church, suggesting that this practice undermines the original foundation laid by Jesus. McCraney called for transparency from LDS apostles regarding their personal experiences with Jesus, urging them to openly declare any firsthand encounters with the resurrected Christ.
In conclusion, McCraney questioned the legitimacy of modern apostleship within the LDS Church, encouraging viewers to consider the biblical criteria for apostles and the implications of deviating from these standards. The episode invited further discussion and reflection on the role of apostles in contemporary religious practice.
