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Thanks for that, Andrew. I was thinking this afternoon that John 20:21 seems to support this idea very well: Jesus was the personal representative of the Father. The one who receives Him, receives the One who sent Him. And He seems to put the disciples on the same plane: the one who receives them, receives Jesus.
Don Golden seemed to want to attach it to the whole church. Stott and Ridderbos, however, attach this exclusively to the Apostles as part of their argument concerning the canon. The canon is apostolic tradition: apostolic tradition is canon because the apostles are, in that regard, as Christ Himself. One point against this is that Christ at two points seems to amplify the connection between Himself and His people: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" and "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"
So I think there are strong arguments for limiting this concept to the apostles; but I have not seen anyone interact with other texts which also make a strong connection between Jesus and all His people.
Thoughts?
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