"Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged" (2 Corinthians 12:11-21).
There will always be fleshly so-called "super-apostles" or as the Greek word says, "outstanding, special, extra-special" apostles who promote themselves as being far superior to the authentic ones, like Paul. They are legends in their own minds who deceive gullible believers into thinking that the real, Holy Spirit-anointed apostles are not really as good as they are.
Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that when he was with them, "the signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works." A true apostle has had a visible encounter with the risen Jesus, has planted churches, and has a ministry of signs, wonders and miracles.
This passage contains a warning to all of us. There are many "super-apostles" on the loose today, who are constantly building themselves up at the expense of other Christians and ministries instead of for the benefit of others.
True apostles work together in the Holy Spirit as Paul and Titus did. They never go beyond Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:4,5). They build up the Church with true Biblical signs, wonders and miracles (Mark 16:17-18).
Prayer
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