The Ministry of the Apostle – Part One

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Introduction

My wife and I are planting a new church in Dallas, Texas.  In preparation for this church plant, I have been studying the ministry of the apostle.  It has been a fascinating study.  Through this study, God has reminded me of some aspects of the apostolic ministry I had forgotten.

Apparently, the Lord was not through speaking to me about the apostle’s ministry.  A brother who I had lunch with recently brought it up.  He has a prophetic ministry and confirmed how the ministry of the apostle would impact our church plant. He said, “pastor you have an apostolic vision for the city.”  That prophetic word rung my bell.  God really then had my attention about the apostolic ministry.

I want to share in this two part article a little from my study of the apostolic ministry especially as it relates to church planting.  It’ll help those who are embarking upon the gargantuan task of planting a church or contemplating planting one.

The Apostle

Jesus is the Head and Chief Shepherd of His Body, the Ekklesia.  He promised to build His Church.  The Holy Spirit helps Jesus build His church. And Jesus created the ministry offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to also help Him build the church.

Some clergy and theologians erroneously believe and teach these ministry offices ceased with the early church.  Their position is incorrect because we have not fully accomplished the purpose for which Jesus gave the ministry offices in the first place. Below are the purposes for which Jesus gave us the fivefold ministry offices.  After you read them ask yourself whether we still the need the fivefold ministry.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (1) for the perfecting of the saints, (2) for the work of the ministry, (3) for the edifying of the body of Christ: (4) till we all come in the unity of the faith, (5) till we all come in the knowledge of the Son of God, (6) till we all come unto a perfect man, (7) till we all come unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (8) 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, (9) may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  Ephesians 4:11-15

From here we will focus on the apostle’s ministry.

What is an apostle?

The word “apostle” comes from the Greek word apostolos which means messenger or sent one.  Thus, an apostle is a person who Jesus sends to accomplish a task.  For example, God sent Paul to reach the Gentiles and Peter to reach the Jews (Romans 11:13; Galatians 2:8). Both were apostles because God sent them with a task. God continues to send missionaries and church planters to advance His Kingdom.  These modern-day missionaries and church planters are apostles.

How does a person become an apostle? 

A person  is not an authentic apostle unless Jesus sends him. He cannot send himself (Luke 6:13 and Acts 1:2). He will lack the apostolic anointing if he sends himself. 

Purchasing business cards with the title “Apostle so-and-so” makes no person an apostle.  The apostolic ministry is a divine calling that must come through the will of God (1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1).  Paul made this point clear when he asked in Romans 10:15 how can a person preach except God sends him. 

Still, many people call themselves apostles although they have no fruit supporting their claim of apostleship.  These people are false apostles. (2 Corinthians 11:13).  This hideous practice of calling oneself an apostle without God’s approval causes much confusion and disrepute for the office of the apostle. You can recognize authentic versus false apostles, however, if you know the irrefutable signs of apostleship.

In part two of this article, I’ll share those irrefutable signs of true apostleship. 

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