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The Gift of an Apostle
The Greek word "apostolos" means "one who is sent forth” as a
messenger and one who represent the name or authority of the person that he
speaks for. The role of an ambassador is as close to this concept that we have
today. The modern term `missionary’ is also similar because both are “sent
forth”. However, many denominational missionaries today are not sent out
specifically by the Lord and do not have apostolic authority operating in their
ministries.
THREE CATEGORIES OF
APOSTLES
There are three categories of apostles:
1. JESUS
WAS THE CHIEF (FIRST) APOSTLE
“Therefore, holy
brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High
Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus...”
(Hebrews 3:1)
Jesus serves as our foremost model of the ministry of the apostle. We can look
to Him alone for the full expression of the apostolic ministry, as well as the
prophet, the evangelist, the pastor/shepherd and the master teacher. When He
ascended, He divided up His ministry into five parts and gave them to men so
that no one could function alone and so that team ministry would be necessary to
fully express His ministry in the earth.
2.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB
“Now
the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter,
and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip
and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus,
and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas
Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”
(Matthew 10:2-6)
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
(Revelations 21:14)
3. A LIST
OF OTHER APOSTLES
People tend to only think of the twelve apostles when they hear the word apostle
mentioned. We have so elevated them in our thinking that it is difficult for
some to consider that there may be other men with the same gift and calling. But
the fact remains, that there were other apostles in the New Testament Church
other than the original twelve, and there are many more apostles in the church
today. In fact, we know that there were over twenty apostles overseeing the Church
when it consisted of only a few thousand people. Today, we should expect many
more apostles to oversee the Church worldwide. Since Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us
that the apostles are needed for the building up of the Body until we all attain
to the unity of the faith, then we should be able to recognize more than the
original twelve apostles of leaders, who have served as apostles during the
history of the Church.
Nowhere is it taught that the apostolic ministry would cease. Apostles are
needed until the Church is perfected and presented to Jesus, her Husband. We
need EVERY gift given to the Church by Jesus.
“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
fullness of Christ:”
(Ephesians 4:11-13)
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
administrations, varieties of tongues.”
(1 Corinthians 12:28)
A LIST OF OTHER APOSTLES
There are more than
ten apostles specifically mentioned in the New Testament, besides the original
twelve:
Matthias: An apostle chosen by lot
in Acts 1:13 (Joseph Barsabas was also qualified to be an
apostolic replacement for Judas but was not chosen in the lot)
Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy: “To the church of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. “
(1 Thessalonians 1:1)
Then he continues
on in chapter 2 verse 6, saying of these men and himself, “Nor did we seek
glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands
as apostles of Christ.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:6)
Barnabas: “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they
tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out.”
(Acts 14:14)
Andronicus and Junia: (Junia
was likely a woman)
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my
fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ
before me.”
(Romans 16:7)
Apollos: When Pal wrote about
the apostles who were made a spectacle of in the world and to angels, he seemed
to include Apollos with himself in 1 Corinthians 4:6,9.
Titus and two unnamed brothers:
(The word messengers used here is apostolos)
“If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and
fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are
messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 8:2)
In Philippians 2:25, Paul referred to Epaphroditus as
a messenger, which is the word apostolos.
James: and possibly the other four
natural brothers of the Lord Jesus were considered apostles in 1 Corinthians
9:5, 15:5-8, Galatians 1:19.
APOSTLES TODAY
In my opinion there are several high profile apostles in modern history, but
even now, there are many apostles who do not have the stature of these:
Count Von
Zinzendorf who was the leader of the Moravians; Hudson Taylor to China; John G.
Lake to South Africa; Smith Wigglesworth; John Wimber.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
The apostle has grace to minister each of the other four ministry gifts in a
limited way: prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. The apostle often will
raise up pastors, evangelists, teachers, and other leaders to help them fulfill
their calling. Often, the calling of an apostle is specific to a region or a
people. Paul wrote that he was an apostle to the Gentiles and that Peter was an
apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:8). The apostle becomes a father to the
work, and he may remain as head of the ministry with several leaders under him,
or he may move on, as Paul did, turning the established work over to someone
else. The Apostle Paul is the best type to illustrate all of the statements
above.
AN APOSTOLIC TEST
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ. Do not marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works.”
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
“I know
your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you can not bear them
which are evil: and you have tried those who say they are apostles, and are not,
and have found them liars...”
(Revelations 2:2)
Of course in this day
and hour many are proclaiming themselves apostles. Should we accept everyone’s
word for it if they come calling with the word “apostle” on their business card?
Of course not! In fact, in the book of Revelation the Lord commended the Church
in Ephesus for adequately distinguishing between those who were true and false
apostles. I wish I had a copy of the test they used. If I were writing my own, I
would hold up the person who claimed to be an apostle by the following
characteristics:
Apostles have the grace upon their life to carry a revelation of Christ.
In Ephesians 3:5 Paul speaks of the mystery “…which in other ages was not
made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His
holy apostles and prophets:”
While there are many other aspects to the work of apostles
and prophets, this one function is primary - the ability to unfold the
revelation of the unified corporate Body called the Church. Stated more
simply, the greatest purpose apostolic and prophetic ministries have - the
ultimate goal above all else - is to bring a revelation of Jesus; to bring to
light an unfolding of the unsearchable riches to be found in Jesus. It is to
reveal the Cornerstone, who is Christ Jesus Himself!
Apostles have the grace upon their father and mentor others.
Paul told the Corinthian church, which he had planted: “For though you might
have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for
in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you,
imitate me.” (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)
Many of the apostolic ministries I have been exposed to simply have the “feel”
of being a “father”. They will often have actually “begotten” and raised
up sons in the faith, but will also have such a fatherly nurture, care and
steadfast heritage about them that makes younger ones want to be “adopted”.
Apostles are usually team players.
While an apostle
can sometimes seem to be a jack-of-all-trades; he knows the overall objective
can best be served through a team effort. Knowing the value of team, and being
able to accomplish it however, are two different things. Part of the apostolic
grace is that of being a kingdom diplomat. He is also able to command the
respect of leaders who would be leadership material in their own right; but have
seen, as well, the higher good and greater accomplishment team effort will
bring. A survey of apostle Paul’s ministry shows he always traveled with a team.
Jesus Himself instructed His apostles to go two by two.
Apostles are general contractors for the building of God. Paul
called himself a master builder.
The term “master builder” is actually “architekton” in the Greek language and is
the derivative of our word “architect” who has the big picture. He knows what is
to be built.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I
have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed
how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is
laid, which is Jesus Christ”
(1 Corinthians 3:9-11)
Apostles usually have governmental authority and dominion. The
essential meaning of the word apostle is “sent one”. One very solid consequence
of being sent by God is the authorization He gives. If you are sent by God, you
have the very authority of God Himself backing you up. The restoration
of apostolic ministry includes restoration to a whole new level of kingdom
dominion and authority.
“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the
word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in
word but in power”.
(1 Corinthians 4:19-20)
He was saying, in
essence, “Talk is cheap but let me see if you carry power”.
TITLES AND TERMINOLOGY
While
we believe that there many today who function in apostolic gifting, within Word
of Grace we do not use this title when referring to one another.
We believe that the elder who leads the church, which is called
the presiding elder, or Senior Pastor
holds the highest level of authority within a local church and all other
five-fold ministry must defer to this office.
This study includes some insights gleaned from a study written by Jim Wies at:
www.cornerstonemin.org
Destiny Image Publishers
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