He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
Ephesians 4:10-15
The greatest danger the present-day Church and believers face is not persecution, terrorism, or collapsing political and economic fabric of the society, but falsehood and doctrines of devils. Mostly in Western societies, where the concept of spiritual authority I greatly negated. The average believer today, even the new believers, has a thousand teachers and preachers they listen to at their own volition. The infiltration of subtle doctrines and self-willed biblical interpretation will wreak more havoc in the church than adultery, pornography, or divorce. Under the umbrella of the apostles and prophets of God, the saints of old were preserved from this decadence, and so it must be today.