"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are {232} BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE." (Ephesians 2: 19, 20). POWER GIVEN APOSTLES AND PROPHETS. Apostles and prophets in olden times were men who received power from the Lord to act in His name. "And when he called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." (Matthew 10: 1). "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18: 18). They were also men who "spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1: 21). OBJECT OF INSPIRED MEN IN THE CHURCH. St. Paul tells why apostles and prophets and other officers are in the Church. "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: . . that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Ephesians 4: 12, 14). HOW LONG THEY SHOULD REMAIN. He shows plainly that these inspired officers should remain in the Church of Christ "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God." (Ephesians 4: 13). As that condition has not yet been attained, there is still need of apostles and prophets to bring mankind to the "unity of the faith." This desirable state cannot be brought about without living apostles and prophets, who are inspired of God. People are divided in their opinions about the meaning of many things written by ancient apostles and prophets, and they will not unite without receiving new revelation to enlighten them. Some may be led to think prophets are no longer needed in the Church because of the words of Paul: "Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail. . . For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (I Corinthians 13: 8, 9, 10). The time he speaks of, "when that which is perfect is come," has not yet arrived. When it does come prophecies may fail or be "done away;" but that time will be when "they {233} shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 31: 34; Hebrews 8: 11). IS THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE FULL? The following words of St. John are supposed by some to imply that no more revelation is to be given: