leading Innov & Apostles Today

“Apostles”

When Jesus was here He had 12 apostles.

After He left, He left the Church behind (His body)

He established a government for the Church.

Three main Bible verses:

[And members of the household of God] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:20

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

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12

This is the way the original Church operated for 200 – 300 years.

The “First Apostolic Age”

Then the Church began to deviate

from: A personalized relational structure

to: A legalized bureaucratic structure

The Catholic Church went one way

The Protestant Church went a different way

“Today”

For around 1800 years the church neglected biblical apostolic government.

They said the ministry of apostles ceased around 200 AD.

The theological term: ceased = “cessationism”

Cessationists can be very strong in their opposition.

Example: Assemblies of God.

They published 2 official denominational white papers.

(1) 1949 against “World War II” apostles

(2) 2000 against “Microsoft” apostles

“The teaching that present day offices of apostles and prophets should govern church ministry”

Is: “erroneous”

“departure from scripture”

“deviant teaching”

Some History

Most of us were brought up with denominations.

A new movement began in Africa around 1900.

China 1975, Latin America 1970s, U.S. after World War II.

This was the apostolic movement. The “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR)

This is what a lot of church leaders are not used to.

It pulls them out of their comfort zone.

Let’s analyze what is happening.

Part of the nature of God:

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons;

Daniel 2:20-21

Every new season God gives new wine.

The new wine needs new wineskins.

Our old wineskin = denominations

The new wineskin = NAR

Jesus taught this in Matthew 9:

Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

Matthew 9:17

God’s motive: His mercy!

He loves the old wineskin.

Why? The old wineskin at one point in history was the new wineskin.

Same with denominations

Protestants from 1517 on formed state churches.

This changed when:

Europeans colonized America 1600s & 1700s

The Modern Missionary Movement late 1700s

God used denominations in USA for 400 years!

But a new season is here.

The Second Apostolic Age began in 2001!

Many will stay in the old wineskin. They just won’t get any new wine!

Four FAQs = frequently asked questions about apostles

What are apostles?

What do apostles do?

Where do apostles get their authority?

What are apostles’ limitations?

1. What are apostles?

The church has a government.

Apostles head up that government.

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

This design is not a bureaucracy or a hierarchy. It is a divine order.

Apostles first = proton.

If apostles are the top leaders, they have tremendous authority. They make the final decisions.

For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 10:8

Two foundational axioms:

The NAR represents the most radical change in doing church since the Protestant Reformation.

Of all the changes, this is the most radical: The amount of spiritual authority delegated by the Holy Spirit to individuals.

Operative words: “authority” and “individuals”

This makes denominational leaders very uncomfortable.

For them, groups, not individuals, make final decisions. Both locally and translocally.

2. What do apostles do?

They lead the church

Locally

Translocally: apostolic networks

They birth

They impart

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

They build

They align

For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:12

“Equipping” = katartizo = aligning

They teach

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (teaching).

Acts 2:42

They set things in order

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking.

Titus 1:5

They father or mother

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.

1 Corinthians 4:15

They war

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

3. Where do apostles get their authority?

Paul gives us the short answer.

For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 10:8

Four more specific sources of authority

They have a spiritual gift of apostle.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 12:29-30

They have a divine assignment or call.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. Are there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

They have extraordinary character.

My brethren let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

James 3:1

Apostles are above average!

The requirement?

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless.

1 Timothy 3:1-2

They have followers.

Followers are voluntary and grateful.

The Law of Apostolic Attraction

Apostle: “How can I help this person be all that God wants them to be?”

Follower: “This apostle adds value to my life and ministry.”

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 4