Blessings Frank,
Seeing that we are still in the "Age of Pentecost," I doubt if the Father would have made major changes in the Body with regards to First Corinthians chapter 12. The only difference I see, with us being at the end of the "Age," is that the "Tares" have grown so abundant and large, that it is almost impossible to see the "Wheat." Especially when the "Wheat" aren't making every effort to be seen, and the "Tares" are. I would submit that Watchman Nee would probably be considered a 20th century " true apostle." And if there is one, there are sure to be more.
Today, we not only need the "Gift of Discerning of Spirits," we must also be obedient and follow the precepts taught by Jesus. We can apply what Jesus taught about true and false prophets, to every member of the Body. We shall know them by their "Fruits." We should judge what they teach and say by comparison with the Scriptures. But we are to judge the individual by their "Fruits." We are surrounded by the false, because of our failure to judge righteously. We have reaped what the Tares have abundantly sowed. Because we have permitted it. Scripturally, the "Fruits" are presented in Galatians chapter 5 and are contrasted with the "deeds of the flesh." The "fruit" of the person, is the person's character. And you would expect that character to be comparable to the full character of Jesus. And you would expect that character to be consistent throughout the day, and not just when the cameras are on.
Personally, I feel that if someone has to tell me there "position within the Body," they probably do not hold that position. These positions are neither chosen by an individual, or bestowed from a group. They are "recognized." They become self evident. When a Body begins to function properly, each persons position is manifested and is obvious to all. There is no need for the individual to assert themselves. Did our Lord proclaim his title to the " rich young ruler"?
Two things came to my mind when you first mentioned these "apostle want-a-bes;" First Corinthians chapter 12 as discussed above and the Nicolaitans in the second chapter of Revelation.
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
These "apostle want-a-bes" hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. And this doctrine destroys the Body by establishing a hierarchy. Mans hierarchy replaces the Holy Spirit. There is very little written about the Nicolaitans, but Strongs definition of the word is:
Nicolaitans = "destruction of people"
One of the root words means "to utterly vanquish."
A true apostle would be unable to follow the Holy Spirit if he had to go through horizontal/vertical/marketplace " want-a-be apostles". Their system totally negates First Corinthians chapter 12 and the fitting together of the Body under the Head of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Come to think of it, maybe Judas was a marketplace apostle.
Yes, I believe that today we still have within the Body, True apostles, and prophets, along with the teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues. But these "members of the Body" are too busy being obedient to the Holy Spirit, to be seen by man or caught up in the world's system. Generally speaking, most have to make a compromise to be acknowledged and maintained by the system. So the true apostles would be found elsewhere. And the few who are true and widely recognized, are usually recognized only after their persecutions. And the false apostles will do anything to avoid persecutions.
1Cr 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Cr 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Cr 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.
1Cr 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Cr 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Cr 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Cr 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Cr 12:17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
1Cr 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Cr 12:19 And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?
1Cr 12:20 But now [are they] many members, yet but one body.
1Cr 12:23 And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness.
1Cr 12:24 For our comely [parts] have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that [part] which lacked:
1Cr 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.
1Cr 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Cr 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Cr 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
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Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Shalom, John