Definition of Apostle and the 5-Fold Ministry
The word, Apostle, means one sent. An apostle is one who is sent by God.
652 αποστολος apostolos ap-os'-tol-os 1) a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
Define apostle from the context of the Bible. (reference verses can be found further down the page.)
- Apostles are to be here until the entire church comes into unity. They are a gift given to equip the church for that very work and are absolutely necessary so that the church can come to maturity.
- There will be false apostles and we are all responsible to be close enough to God that we can tell the difference between the real and the false.
- The apostles equip the church with a foundation.
- The apostles equip the church with doctrine and have the authority to determine the interpretation of Scripture.
- The apostles receive the revelation from God of the meaning of Scripture as God unveils it to them as a body (they are in unity and there is only one apostles' doctrine. No apostle receives any private interpretation of the Scripture.).
- An apostle teaches only the apostle's doctrine.
- This is the doctrine that has been revealed to all the brethren.
- An apostle doesn't teach his own doctrines but apostles are in unity and submission to each other.
- The apostles equip the church with government.
- The apostles are given universal authority for the entire church.
- An apostle is under the government of all the other apostles.
- An apostle must be able to receive discipline from the other apostles.
- The apostles are in unity and harmony. They must be submission to each other.
- Each apostle is under the government of all the other apostles.
- There is no such thing as a maverick or independent apostle.
- There is no such thing as a chief apostle.
- An apostle is not driven after money.
- An apostle doesn't seek fame.
- The apostles set local elders and deacons by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- The apostles have authority to deal with problems in the local churches.
- The apostles are set for the safety of the Church. They are a covering for the Church.
- The apostles equip the members of the church with spiritual gifts and ministries.
- There were 20 apostles named in the New Testament.
- The apostles have the ministry of prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher.
- An apostle is financially supported by the church, while local elders and deacons are not.
- An apostle is set by God. Once the first apostles are set, later apostles, such as Paul, came to the previously-set apostles to receive authority to minister in the capacity of apostle.
- The apostles completely equip the believers so that the believers can do the work of the ministry.
- The apostles travel from local church to local church.
- The apostles are either traveling elders of traveling deacons who are directed by the traveling elders.
- The apostles cannot send themselves. If an apostles sends himself, he is a false apostle.
- Apostles are not elected.
- Apostles are not hired.
- Apostles must be called and set by the Holy Spirit.
Can we pick and choose those parts of the Bible that we want and leave the rest, sort of like a cafeteria Christian? There are many Christians who want to leave certain parts Bible for either the past or else the future. They don't want them to apply to their own lives. For many Christians, apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry would really cramp their lifestyle, just as for others any moral precepts would certainly cramp their lifestyles.
In a day and an hour when the church has become a good way to make a lot of money, get a lot of recognition, and create a religious experience without ever really having to submit to anything, what a weariness it would be to institute apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry as it is explained so well in the Bible--or else, they want to establish apostles and the 5-fold ministry who were not called by God. We can see this in many of the televangelists who gather people around themselves and create wealth (not to say that all Christians who appear on TV are bad, but some are). We also see this in some radio ministries who throw out huge amounts of Scripture and claim an authority far beyond what God has even given to the apostles, the 5-fold ministry. We also see this in local "pastors" and other "ministries" as they have been redefined in the church of today.
- The apostles have the responsibility to perfect the saints, which is to say to bring them into completeness, to fully equip them. They equip them with doctrine and revelation of the Scripture, with the gifts of the Spirit, with government, with local elders and deacons, with the orders and the pattern of the church that God is building, with the foundation on which to build and with many other things.
- Ephesians 4:11-16 "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 [hwee-os] of God, to a perfect man, to 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: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love."
In understanding Ephesians 4:12-16, you must go back to the main verb, edoken, in verse 11. Christ gave the gifts. He gave the office of apostle. He gave the four ministries. Those gifts are not the persons but the Christ in those persons, as another passage says, "Christ in us, the hope of glory." The text cannot be read any other way than to understand that these gifts are performing all of this work as the gifts proceed from Christ. Grace means, literally, free gift. This is grace, and we know from Scripture that it is grace that does any work that is done. In fact, God could give no greater gift, so He gave us of Himself. He chooses to do it through apostles, ones sent. He chooses to not use those who send themselves or who are sent by men. It is plain from the Greek that it is not gifted people who do any of this work, but rather the Gift Himself does the work through the members. This is true whether it is the apostle who is totally equipping and completing the member or the member who is now also moving in the power and authority of the same gift. When any member comes into submission to the apostle, that person carries the same anointing and authority of the apostle just as long and to the extent that they are in submission. They are not submitting to a man but to Christ Himself. If you can discern the Body of Christ, you will see this. If you see this, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but your Father in Heaven has revealed it.
You can go many places on the internet, on Christian radio, or in the religious world where you will find people twisting this Scripture. They will twist "apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" into "teacher/pastors" or some other misquote. The Bible says what it says. The Scripture cannot be broken. Satan hates the Bible and he hates God's church and the orders of God's church. If you see someone doing this, run, do not walk, away.
Duration:
- The apostles will be here until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
- Though the church lost these gifts within the first centuries, God has been gracious to restore them in that great move of the Spirit that began in 1948. There are false apostles. This is certainly true, and there have always been such. But the fact that Satan sends false apostles does not negate the reality of the true apostles whom God has chosen and sent
- There is one office gift, apostle, and four ministry gifts, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher here. As a result, the term, 5-fold ministry, may be a bit incorrect, but most people know what they mean when they say, "five-fold ministry."
- Ephesians 4:11-13 "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 [hwee-os] of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
False apostles:
- False apostles:
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." and Revelation 2:2 "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:".
- False prophets:
- Acts 13:6 "And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:"
- 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
- Mark 13:22 "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."
- Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
- Mathew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
- Mathew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- Luke 6:26 "Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
- Isaiah 44:25 "That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;" KJV, "who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense," NIV
- Jeremiah 50:36 "A sword is upon the liars [false prophets in NIV]; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed."
- Jeremiah 23:16 "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD."
- Jeremiah 23:21 "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied."
- There are many other such Scriptures.
- False teachers:
- Acts 20:29 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
- 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
- 2 Peter 2:12 "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;"
- False pastors:
- Ezekiel 34:2-10 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them."
- Ezekiel 34:17-22 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. Seemeth it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD to them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle." This is to the sheep, but it is the responsibility of the shepherd to keep this from happening.
- John 10:12-13 "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth... The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep" It is common for men who claimed to be Shepherds to leave a church high and dry if there wasn't enough money for their salary or because another church somewhere offers them more money.
Apostles are NOT infallible:
- Apostles make mistakes. Though they have responsibility to rule over the entire church and to receive revelation and doctrine for the entire church, yet, they can make mistakes. This is why apostles make every effort to only teach the apostle's doctrine, that doctrine which has been revealed to all the brethren. There is a time recorded in the Bible when Peter was in the wrong and Paul had to correct him. This also shows that each apostle is under the government of all the other apostles. God left no person who does not have to submit to others.
- Galatians 2:11-15 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,"
- James 3:2 "For all of us make many mistakes. If someone does not make any mistakes when he speaks, he is perfect and able to control his whole body." James 3:2 KJV " For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
Equipping with the Foundation:
- Jesus declared that He would build His church on the foundation, a mighty boulder (Himself) and that Simon was a little stone, indicating that Simon Peter would become part of the foundation.
- Matthew 16:18 "And I say also to thee, That thou art Peter [little stone], and upon this rock [mighty boulder] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
- The apostles and prophets become the foundation of the church, and they are built on the Chief Corner Stone, the Lord, Jesus Christ, the only chief apostle.
- Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
- Abraham sought a city with foundations:
- Hebrews 11:10 "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
- The apostles not only are the foundation built on Christ, the Chief Corner Stone, but they also lay the foundation:
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 "According to the grace [free gift, the ministry, the Anointing] of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."
- There is one sure foundation. Now, we know that that foundation is Christ and the apostles have become part of the foundation by submission to Christ and by the setting of God:
- Isaiah 28:16 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
- There is a tremendous stability of this foundation. Though the apostolic offices and much more was lost for centuries, Christ has restored it to the church in that great worldwide move of the Spirit of God that began in 1948. From that time, though some went out from us, God continues to unfold His Kingdom from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord:
- 2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
- The church cannot stand without the foundation, and this is why Satan has set out to blind so many to this restoration:
- Matthew 7:27 "And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house on the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
Equipping with Doctrine and Revelation:
- The apostles' doctrine--the church is to abide continually in this doctrine:
- Acts 2:42-43 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."
- The apostles receive the revelation and equip the Body with it:
- Matthew 16:17 "And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
- To understand the apostles' doctrine, even when the apostles are right there teaching it to us, we need the Holy Spirit of revelation.
- Ephesians 1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:"
- Things hidden in ages past are now being revealed to the apostles and prophets:
- Ephesians 3:5 "Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;"
- There will always be those who cause divisions. These were people bringing in doctrines that were not the apostles' doctrine. It might be noted that the word, heresy, means "dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims" in the original Greek:
- Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
- The apostles declare to the churches those things that have been revealed to them:
- 1 John 1:3-5 "That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we to you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
- The apostles are not infallible and that they correct each other. They are in submission to each other and each apostle is under the government of all the other apostles:
- Galatians 2:11-15 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,"
- One of the functions of the apostles is to make it so the believers are not blown around by winds of doctrine. The apostles are united in ministry and in doctrine. None of them teaches a variant doctrine, and they discipline themselves:
- Ephesians 4:14 "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;"
- The apostles delivered the decrees. They traveled and delivered the revelation and established it in the local churches:
- Acts 16:4-5 "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."
- The apostles determine doctrine and how they make sure that everyone is teaching the same doctrine once it has been revealed. It also shows that a single apostle ought not consider himself able to establish doctrine on his own. Note how the spiritual gifts in apostles gave the final answer. Then, the doctrine was entrusted to faithful men and carried to the local elders who must be apt to teach--the must be able to cause the people to understand the doctrine. This is the pattern as it stands today:
- Acts 15:1-31 "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken to me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation."
- The apostles equip the church with revelation of the doctrine and the meaning of the Scripture:
- Ephesians 1:8-9 "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known to us [the apostles] the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"
- The revelation is given to the apostles by supernatural means, but the local church at Corinth was unable to accept it because of their spiritual immaturity. No one was able to understand these parts of Scripture until they were revealed to the apostles.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:2 "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
- Paul speaks of his gospel, and we can be sure from other Scripture that Paul's gospel was the same as the gospel of all the other apostles:
- Romans 2:16 "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my [Paul's] gospel."
- Romans 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
- The revelation of the meaning of Scripture is not given to one person. If it is revelation, it is given to all the apostles. Private interpretation is certainly not God's method by which revelation is given to a local elder or deacon or member of the church. They must have had theologians in that day just like they have them today:
- 1 Peter 1:16-21 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son [hwee-os], in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
- Revelation is given a little at a time. Many times, God has tried to move through people over the centuries, and they went so and so far, then claimed to have it all. Often, what they had was truth mixed with speculation. By their stubborn attitude, they forced God to find someone else who was not so puffed up in their thinking:
- Isaiah 28:9-10 "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
- The doctrine is not given by man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Only God can reveal the interpretation of Scripture:
- Galatians 1:11-12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
- Sometimes, the apostles would give advice which was not revelation as in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, and sometimes, the apostles would teach the revelation:
- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife."
- The book of Revelation is an example of a something that God revealed to the apostle through a vision alone. Note that the revelation was given to an apostle.
- Paul had to go and confirm that the revelation he had been given was correct. This is still the pattern today:
- Galatians 1:15-18 "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days."
- Galatians 2:1 "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also."
- Paul assigned Timothy to work in Ephesus to guard against corrupt doctrine:
- 1 Timothy 1:3-4 "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
- Paul taught the people to withdraw themselves from anyone who teaches a doctrine other than the apostles' doctrine.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
Equipping with Government:
- The apostles have authority to command and the members of the church have a duty to do what they were commanded to do. The authority of the apostles goes beyond establishing doctrines to government:
- 2 Thessalonians 3:4 "And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you."
- The government shall be upon His shoulder. The shoulder is part of the body:
- Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
- The Kingdom and Dominion is given to the saints of the Most High:
- Daniel 7:27 "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."
- Disobedience to the apostles' commands resulted in putting the offender out of fellowship:
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14 "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed."
- The letters of Paul are either exercises of government over local elders and deacons or traveling deacons.
- The letters of James, Peter, John, and Jude are letters to local churches.
- The apostles have authority to deal with troublesome members in local churches:
- 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 "Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?"
- 3 John 1:9-10 "I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church."
- The apostles also equipped the saints by caring for their material needs:
- Acts 24:17 "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings."
- Paul commended the Corinthian church for keeping the orders, the ordinances, in the same way that he had delivered those orders to them. They gave themselves over to Paul's instruction. When God restored the pattern of government for the church shortly after 1948, that is exactly how He revealed the pattern:
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."
- God establishes the authority of the apostles over the local churches.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 "Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:"
- The apostles can be either elders or deacons, depending on the call of God. Taken in the context of all the other scriptures describing their authority, the apostles are set over the entire church with universal authority for government of the entire church.
- 1 Peter 5:1 "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:"
- Apostles take the same role as a father has to his own children, but to the whole church. As the father governs the home, the apostles govern the entire church, each apostle being in submission to every other apostle in government:
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his kingdom and glory."
- Paul is an example of the apostles' fatherly relationship to the church:
- 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church."
- Apostles have authority to establish the pattern for the churches:
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches."
- Scripture warns that in the last days there will be some who scoff at the authority and sound doctrine of the apostles:
- 2 Peter 3:1-3 "This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,"
- The safety of the church is in following the teachings and the government of the apostles:
- Jude 17 "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
- The members, the ministries in the local churches, build on the foundation that was laid by the apostles:
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 "According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."
Apostles equip the members of the churches with Spiritual Gifts:
- Paul was part of the presbytery that prayed and prophesied over Timothy, imparting spiritual gifts to equip him for his ministry:
- 1 Timothy 1:18-19 "This charge I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:"
- 1 Timothy 4:14-16 "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all. Take heed to thyself, and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
- 2 Timothy 1:6-8 "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"
- Paul desired to impart a spiritual gifts to the members of the church at Rome. His purpose is that they would be established:
- Romans 1:11 "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"
- The gifts and ministries in the church and how they lead to unity. These gifts cannot be separated from Christ:
- 1 Corinthians 12 "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb [incapable of articulate speech] idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I to you a more excellent way."
- The ministry that we have is the Anointing of the Holy Spirit on us. It is not the fleshly nature. The two cannot be mixed. They are at war with each other:
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
- 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
- Romans 7:15-25 " For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
- The Anointing is truth:
- 1 John 2:20 & 27 "But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.... But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
Twenty apostles are named in the New Testament of the Bible.:
- Twelve apostles are named:
- Matthew 10:2-3 "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"
- Barnabas and Paul are called apostles. Paul called himself an apostles in some of his letters:
- Acts 14:14 "Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"
- Andronicus and Junia are of note among the apostles:
- Romans 16:7 "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
- Paul calls Silvanus and Timothy (and himself) apostles:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 & 2:4-6 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ."
- Paul calls Apollus (and himself) an apostle:
- 1 Corinthians 4:6-9 "And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men."
From the following Scriptures, we can see that apostles had the ministries of prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. This is exactly as it is today:
Jesus is the Chief Apostle:
- Jesus is the apostle.
- John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with him."
- Jesus, the Chief Apostle, was referred to as prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. In reality, Jesus is the Anointed One. He is the Only Anointed One. He is the only Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. If any man is set into one of these offices or ministries, it is the Christ in the man Who is set into the office or ministry.
- Jesus is the prophet. In the same way, the man who is set by God into the office of prophet has a flesh but is the ministry, the Christ in him, the hope of glory:
- Hebrews 3:1 "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;"
- Jesus is the evangelist:
- John 4:19 "The woman saith to him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet."
- Jesus is the pastor (shepherd). It is He appearing in His church in His abiding presence (parousia) with every member He has called to be a shepherd:
- Luke 8:1 "And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,"
- Jesus is the teacher living in each one who is called to be a teacher, not to help them in the role but to be the Teacher within them and to do the work through them as they yield to the Holy Spirit.
- John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
If a man is called and set by God into the office of apostle, whether elder or deacon, the office is the Christ, not the man. The ministry is the Christ in us, the hope of glory. The gift that He gave is Himself. The office of apostle is not the fleshly man, it is the Christ in the man holding the office. If we can discern the Body of Christ, we can see this. The Anointing of the office is on the office, not the fleshly man. A man cannot take the Office and the Anointing out of its place in the Body of Christ. This is why there can be no chief elder, deacon, apostle, prophet, teacher evangelist, pastor, or any other ministry or office in the Church. This is also why there can be no maverick, independent apostle or group of apostles. The apostles are set for the purpose of the coming together of the Body of Christ.
- The four ministries, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teacher, are the ones that apostles carry. Grace (free gift) is given according to the measure of the gift. When Christ ascended, He gave gifts to men. He gave some apostles (Meaning literally, "one sent." Apostle is an office, not a ministry. Prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are ministries, not offices. An apostle is either an elder or a deacon to the entire church as opposed to a local elder or deacon.), prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers:
- Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11 " But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
Apostles may have the ministry of prophet:
- There must be prophets in the church. Agabus is one who is named:
- Acts 13:1 "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."
- Acts 21:10 "And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus." Prophecy encourages, builds up, and comforts the church. The ministry of the prophet does the same:
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 "But he that prophesieth speaketh to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."
- Prophecy will be used to bring the Body of Christ into unity.
- Ezekiel 37:1-10 "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said to me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say to them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD to these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."
- There are different levels of authority in prophecy:
- The lowest level of authority is the spirit of prophecy:
- Revelations 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
- There is another level of authority in the gift of prophecy:
- 1 Corinthians 12:10 "To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
- The highest level of authority is the ministry of the prophet:
- Ephesians 2:19-20 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
- Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11 "But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
- Acts 13:1 "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."
Apostles may have the ministry of evangelist:
- Timothy was doing the work of an evangelist. Timothy is named among the apostles and he is an evangelist. It is obvious that Paul, the elder, is directing Timothy's work as a deacon, but both were apostles, sent by God as traveling ministries:
- 2 Timothy 4:5 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
- Timothy was an apostle with the office of a traveling deacon to the entire church, and he had the ministry of an evangelist:
- 2 Timothy 4:5 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
- Timothy had authority to minister to the whole church--he had universal authority as an apostle, a traveling deacon:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ....Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ."
- Philip the evangelist was an apostle in the office of a traveling deacon. Some think that Philip was a local deacon, though he was set as a deacon to the apostles so that the apostles would not have to deal with the distribution of bread. It is possible that an evangelist could be a holder of a local office in a local church rather than having the universal authority of a traveling ministry. Philip did travel:
- Acts 1:13 "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James." Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
- Acts 8:5-6 "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did."
Apostles may have the ministry of pastor (shepherd--this has no relationship to the common understanding of the word, pastor, in the church today.):
- Peter, a traveling elder, had the ministry of a pastor and also of a teacher:
- John 21:15-17 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep."The ministry of the pastor or shepherd is one of the apostolic ministries. It is amazing the amount of emphasis that is given to "pastors" in today's churches. The word, pastor, is mentioned only once in the Bible as a noun and then it is mentioned as a ministry of an apostle, a traveling ministry with universal authority over the entire church. It isn't even mentioned that much as a verb, as an action that is done, but it is mentioned more as a verb than as a noun. The word, pastor, means to care for the people as a shepherd cares for sheep:
- Peter acted as pastor (shepherd):
- Acts 9:32 "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."
- Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Apostles may have the ministry of teacher:
- Paul was an apostle, a traveling elder, and he had the ministry of a preacher of the gospel and a teacher of the Gentiles:
- 2 Timothy 2:7 "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."
- 1 Timothy 1:11 "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."
Isaiah 30:20-21 "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
- The teaching ministry does not work according to men's wisdom but the things that the Holy Spirit teaches:
- 1 Corinthians 2 "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them to us [the apostles] by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Who sets an apostle?
- An apostle must be an apostle by more than just his own commendation and appointment.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
- Scripture records the setting of a number of deacons to help the apostles:
- Acts 6:1-7 "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."
- The apostles must be on guard against false apostles, but Peter, James, and John discerned the call on Paul and a door opened so that Paul could enter into his ministry with the sanction of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of the apostles. This Scripture also sets the order that new apostles must be recognized by those who were set earlier in order to be considered legitimate apostles.
- Galatians 2:8-9 "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision."
- Acts 9:26-30 "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus."
- Acts 11:19-26 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but to the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord. Then tidings of these things came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
- Acts 13:1-2 "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."
- An apostle must be called and appointed by God to be an apostle:
- Luke 6:13 "And when it was day, he called to him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"
- Acts 1:1-2 "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:"
- Romans 1:1-5 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"
- Ephesians 4:7-8 "But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."
Apostles Build the Church:
- The apostles have the responsibility to perfect the saints, which is to say to bring them into completeness, to fully equip them. They equip them with doctrine and revelation of the Scripture, with the gifts of the Spirit, with government, with local elders and deacons, with the orders and the pattern of the church that God is building, with the foundation on which to build and with many other things. shows that an apostle must be able to lay the foundation:
- Ephesians 4:12-16 "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, to a perfect man, to 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: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love."
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 "According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Discerning apostles:
- All traveling elders with universal authority must meet the same criteria of qualification as the local elders:
- 1 Timothy 3:1-13 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
- Scripture tells us about the signs of the apostle in signs and wonders:
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds."
- There is an example that is to be set by the apostles--they must be above reproach. They must be followers of Christ in a very real sense:
- 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."
- Philippians 3:17 "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample."
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7 "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;"
Apostles link the church to Jesus and the Father:
- God has linked the Church by the Spirit through the apostles to the Father and to Jesus. For this reason, the apostles are necessary for the Church to come into completeness. The purpose of the orders, offices, and ministries in the church is to bring the church into completeness, that is the manifestation of the sons of God. There is no place in the church for independence from Christ or from the rest of the Body of Christ:
- 1 John 1:3 "That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
There is no chief apostle:
- There is NO chief apostle, that it is an act of immaturity to compare apostles, that apostles are servants, that apostles plant and water but God gives the growth, that they are laborers together with God, and that they lay the foundation that is Jesus Christ.:
- 1 Corinthians 1:12-15 & 3:3-10 "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.... For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."
- 3 John 1:9 "I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."
Apostles are servants:
- 1 Corinthians 4:1 "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."
- The apostles, above every other office, live a life of self-sacrifice and dedication. The apostles live a difficult life, not like some today, who call themselves apostles or act as if they were apostles, who live in luxury, drive around in limousines, and fly in private jets.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things to this day."
- There is a great weight of responsibility of the apostles and the life of the apostle is not a life of ease--it is not like the life that some professional "ministries" enjoy today.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."
Some have tried to turn the apostles into local elders, no doubt to try to justify salaries for local men, but the apostles traveled:
- Paul traveled:
- Acts 15:36 "And some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do."
- Paul and Silas traveled:
- Acts 15:41 "And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."
- The apostles delivered the decrees as they traveled:
- Acts 16:4-5 "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."
Apostles receive their living:
- We should get two improper uses of Scripture out of the way. In one, Paul, the apostle and traveling elder instructs Timothy the apostle and traveling deacon not to get entangeled in the affairs of this life. Many have taken this to say that apostles cannot refuse their rightful pay and earn their living at a trade; however, Paul did exactly that, so Paul must have been getting at something else. What is obvious here is that this applies to traveling ministries, not to local elders and deacons or fathers and mothers in the home. At the same time, local elders and deacons and fathers and mothers in the home must also be careful that they don't become entangled in the affairs of this life. In the parable of the sower, there was some seed that fell among thorns "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." Every Christian must avoid this choking out of the word [logos, a word uttered by a living voice, a declaration of His mind] of God.
- 2 Timothy 2:4-6 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
- The other is a proverb that says that in all labor, there is profit, but all profit is not monetary except in the eyes of hirelings. Proverbs 14:23 is actually making the point that there is a difference between working and talking. Work leads to wealth and talk leads to poverty. Someone has to do something or no one makes any money.
- Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
- Apostles receive their living. They are paid enough to sustain them for their work. In most cases, it would be impossible for an apostle to fulfill both the duty as an apostle, traveling around and serving, and also hold down a job. The following verses apply only to apostles. They do not apply to elders and deacons in the local churches. They do not apply to fathers and mothers in the home.
- Matthew 10:9-10 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
- Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?... Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?... For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.... Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
- Regarding local elders: 1 Timothy 5:17-18 is the only verse in Scripture regarding what local elders ought to recieve as opposed to what apostles, traveling elders and deacons should recieve. It is included here because it shows the stark difference between the local elders and deacons as opposed to the apostles, the traveling elders and deacons. Traveling elders and deacons and their portion it explained in 1 Corinthians 9:1, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15 and in Luke 10:7 and Matthew 10:10. The difference is obvious. Also, fathers and mothers in the home receive no salary for their work, but they ought to have a double measure of honor.
- 1 Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
- Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
- Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Traveling deacons:
- Paul, the traveling elder, instructs Timothy, the traveling deacon:
- 2 Timothy 4:5 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
- Timothy was under the direction of Paul:
- 1 Timothy 1:3 "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, "
- Titus had universal authority but under the direction of the apostolic elder:
- Titus 1:5 "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:"
- Tychicus was also helping Paul in Greece, and Onesimus was under the direction of Paul
- Colossians 4:7-9 "All my state shall Tychicus declare to you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known to you all things which are done here."
- Tychicus was directed in his work by Paul:
- Artemas, the apostolic deacon, was sent by Paul with a message for Titus
- Titus 3:12 "When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter."
- The Scripture shows the power of Stephen. The ministries of Stephen and Philip show that the deacons have powerful authority in spiritual ministries in the church:
- Acts 6:8 "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."
Author/Compiler
Last updated: Sep, 2011
The Duration of the Apostles--How Long Will Apostles Be In the Church?
What Does the Bible Say About False Apostles, False Prophets, False Teachers, and False Pastors?
Apostles are NOT Infallible. There are NO Infallible Human Beings.
Apostles Equip the Church with the Foundation
Apostles Equip the Church with Doctrine and Revelation
Apostles Equip the Church with Government
Apostles Equip the Members of the Churches with Spiritual Gifts
Twenty Apostles are Named in the New Testament of the Bible
Apostles Had the Ministries of Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher
Who Sets an Apostle? How Do Apostles Become Apostles?
Apostles Are Set To Build the Church
How To Discern Apostles
Apostles Are Set As Servants
There Is No Such Thing As a Chief Apostle or Chief Elder
Apostles Are Set To Link the Church To Jesus and the Father
Apostles Are NOT Local Elders, Local Pastors, Local Pastor-Teachers, or Any Such Thing
Apostles Receive Their Living
Traveling Deacons versus Traveling Elders--Both Are Apostles
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