Apostles.....True, False, and Immature by J. deSouza
Much needs to be said today about apostles and apostleship. My prayer is
that this is a good start for us all. Also, be sure and listen to my
latest radio interview on the Steve Duignan Show at http://www.talktosteve.com.
A cry for apostles, genuine and mature
Whenever God moves, Satan countermoves, and his greatest countermove is
the counterfeit. The resurgence of genuine apostolic leadership in
recent decades has been challenged by dangerous look-alikes. It seems
everywhere I go some power-hungry egotist is flaunting that million
dollar title, "Apostle Such-n-Such". To further sell himself (or
herself)...a snake oil salesman grin, a classy business card, a shiny
suit, a few Scripture verses, a good stage presence, a regurgitated
sermon, and voila!, you have a modern-day super-apostle, Paul's
sarcastic term for Satan's apostolic counterfeits (2Co 11:5,13-15,
12:11).
But not every sour-tasting or slick-looking "apostle" is false. Some are
simply immature in the Lord and in their calling. No, it does not
matter if they have a massive following. This does not equal maturity.
Remember, an entire "civilized" nation followed Adolf Hitler into
attempted genocide, so please, don't be hypnotized by large crowds, big
buildings, or pretty websites. Popularity is judged only by Heaven's
assessment, and that court evaluates by spiritual maturity and daily
Christlikeness.
I'm broken inside by a Spirit-filled cry for genuine and mature
apostleship. Hear my cry church! Hear the cry of the Lord! Christian con
artists will always be around, but they would be continually exposed if
we demanded spiritual excellence from true, but adolescent, apostles.
Why are we so spellbound by apostolic anointing, but indifferent towards
apostolic immaturity?
Because the church has gone many centuries without widespread, quality
apostolic leadership. Therefore, she is spiritually dehydrated for this
expression of the risen Christ (Eph 4:8-13). Now that these waters are
flowing freely once again, many Christians are drinking ravenously
without looking, without even taking a breath--a prayer breath. Friends
and brethren, slow down! Back up, breath, and study the quality of
apostolic waters you are drinking from. Not every stream flows from the
true River of God. And of those that do, unresolved emotional,
behavioral, and relational sins can pollute what should be pure waters.
True apostles
Canonical vs Functional
The greatest demarcation line that needs to be drawn within apostleship
is the one that distinguishes canonical apostles from functional ones.
False and immature apostles both blur this line and cross this line
repeatedly. However, if we understand and uphold this plumb line well,
we outwit the super-apostles and we force the immature ones to wise up
and grow up.
Canonical apostles
The term canon refers to the collection of writings recognized as
divinely-inspired Scripture by the Jewish and Christian community. The
Holy Spirit breathed thirty-nine books for the Old Testament canon, and
twenty-seven books for the New Testament canon. The OT canon was
absorbed and recorded by the prophets or their personal associates (Mt
22:40, Ro 1:2, 16:26, 1Pet 1:10-12, 2Pet 1:19-21), the NT by the
first-century apostles or their personal associates (1Co 2:13, 14:37,38,
1Th 5:27, 2Th 3:14, 2Pet 3:16, Rev 22:18,19). These two orders of
messengers possessed an identical authority and call (to establish the
canon), and for this reason, appear side-by-side often in Scripture (Lk
11:49, 2Pet 3:2; Ro 1:2-5, 16:25,26, Mt 13:11,16,17). Polycarp, a
disciple of John, also equated them: "So then, let us serve him with all
fear and all reverence, as he himself commanded us, and as did the
apostles who brought us the gospel and the prophets who foretold the
coming of our Lord" (in his letter to the Philippians, 6:3).
The first-century, Scripture-writing apostles were canonical apostles.
This means three things:
Authority They possessed absolute theocratic authority. When
speaking/writing ministerially, their words were indisputable divine law
to be obeyed without question. Hence, their overtly authoritative
language (1Co 14:37,38, 2Co 13:2,3,8,10, 2Th 3:14, Phile 8, 2Pet 3:16,
1Jn 4:6, Rev 22:18,19). Such authority licensed them to write Scripture.
Inauguration They introduced and inaugurated new, epochal truths in
God's redemptive program (Eph 3:1-10, Ro 16:25,26): the New Covenant
(Hebrews), grace (Galatians, Romans), Gentile inclusion (Ephesians), the
indwelling Spirit (Acts, Romans), church protocol (1&2Timothy,
Titus), and a clearer eschatological picture (Matthew, Revelation). God
confirmed their heralding with convincing demonstrations of power (Mk
16:20, Heb 2:3,4, Ac 13:8-12, 14:3, 1Co 2:4). These new revelatory
developments were recorded canonically as Scripture.
Foundation They are the foundation of the universal church. Because of
their limited and unique work, they constitute "the twelve apostles of
the Lamb" written on the twelve foundations of Zion (Rev 21:14).
None of today's apostles have written a book of the Bible, inaugurated
new, epochal truth from Heaven that required a canonical record
(Scripture), or founded the universal church. Are we starting to see the
silliness of super-apostles and Nicolaitians? The false aside, we do
have and need functional apostles in the ongoing church of God. We need
them to understand what they are and what they do, and especially the
maturity required of them.
Functional apostles
Functional apostles are identical to the canonical ones, minus the
canonical aspect. Notice Revelation 21:14 establishes only "the twelve
apostles of the Lamb" as canonical, yet the New Testament mentions
around twenty apostles total.
For example, Paul refers to Timothy as an "apostle" in 1Thessalonians
2:6 (w/1:1), but only as a "brother" in 2Corinthians 1:1 (referring to
only himself as "an apostle of Christ Jesus"). (He does similarly with
Sosthenes in 1Corinthians 1:1.) Paul was acknowledging Timothy's
functional apostleship to the Thessalonians, but excluding him from the
canonical brand to the Corinthians, something he needed to do in
response to the meddling super-apostles challenging his unique authority
(2Co 11:5,13-15, 12:11, 13:3,10, 1Co 4:18,19).
These subtleties in Scripture help us perceive and distinguish canonical
apostleship from functional apostleship. The canonical was the
exception, the functional was the norm. Functional apostles perpetuate
basic apostolic functions, functions the church needed then, needs now,
and will always need until the end.
So then, what is an apostle? How are the great apostles of the first
century and the true apostles of today identical? A truly born-again,
truly gifted, and truly called apostle has seven distinct traits:
(1) Leader of leaders.....True apostles have a magnetic draw that turns
leaders into followers. Leaders want to look, listen, and learn from
them, even if from a silent distance. They have a presence that is
impressionable and difficult to resist. They are more than just
disciplers, which any Christian can and should be. They were born to
develop and superintend leaders as spiritual head coaches. EX:
Paul-Timothy, Paul-Titus, Peter-John Mark, Barnabas-John Mark,
John-Polycarp; Acts 14:23, 2Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5, 1Peter 5:13
(2) Church developers.....True apostles father local churches, whether
planting and establishing new ones (Ac 8:14, 11:22, Ro 15:20, 1Co 4:15,
9:1,2), or, doctoring and maturing existing ones (2Co 11:28, 1Pet 1:1).
They develop leadership (2Ti 2:2), establish protocol and order (1Ti
2-5, 1Co 14), establish lines of submission (Eph 5,6, 1Pet 2,3),
safeguard doctrinal integrity (1Ti 1:3-11, 6:3, 2Pet 2, 2John), resolve
problems (Ac 15, 1Co 5-15), and stimulate corporate growth and
maturation (Ro 1:11,12, 1Pet 1,3,4, 1John) in their congregations.
(3) Ministerial pioneers.....True apostles innovate projects that supply
what is lacking in a church, ministry, territory, or system (1Th 3:10,
Ro 1:11, Ro 15:20,21). Their vision is panoramic and broad, quickly
assessing the big picture and what is lacking or misplaced. Then, with
originality and relevance, they pioneer strategies for spiritual
optimization.
(4) Capable mobilizers.....True apostles are skilled at mobilizing
groups of people to fulfill ministerial initiatives (Ac 2:42-47, 6:1-6,
15:22,23). They organize and inspire collective movement. Because their
view is an overview, they are slightly more concerned about group
movement than individual movement.
(5) Translocal networkers.....True apostles connect and unify churches,
ministries, and leaders that would otherwise remain fragmented (Ac
11:29,30, 16:4, Ro 15:25-28, 1Co 4:17, 16:1-4,12, 2Co 8:1-6, 9:1-4, 1Pet
1:1). They are the relational and social bridges of the global church.
Though they might not be natural extroverts, the charis apostolos within
them graces their personality to effectively build bridges, deconstruct
walls, and develop networks of love in the assorted church.
Here is where the super-apostles and adolescent apostles betray
themselves. A genuine and mature apostle cares little about
"denominations" and "movements" and "celebrity Christianity" (1Co
1:10-17, 3:3,4,21-23). They care about one thing: kingdom (4:19,20).
Though they might have their own minor convictions and affiliations,
they rise above these peripheral ideals to emphasize kingdom, "for the
kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [or any other
peripheral doctrine], but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit" (Ro 14:17). They sincerely exude that "there is one body and one
Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all
and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). Super-apostles care nothing
for such cross-denominational unity, and immature apostles are still
vainly ambitious about "my" ministry, "my" promotion, "my" denomination,
"my" movement.
Timothy, a functional apostle (1Th 2:6 w/1:1), was a true translocal
unifier, Philippians 2:21,22 says: For everyone looks out for his own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has
proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me
in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him...
Epaphroditus, another functional apostle mentioned just verses later,
was also a selfless unifier (Php 2:25-30): But I think it is necessary
to send back to you Epaphroditus...your messenger [Gk apostolos], whom
you sent to take care of my needs...I am all the more eager to send him,
so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less
anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life...
(6) Supernatural dispensers.....True apostles minister with remarkable
power to accomplish their groundbreaking initiatives. Scripture
highlights this explicitly as a mark of apostleship (Ro 15:19,20, 2Co
12:12, 1Co 4:19,20). The unusual voltage of their ministry is not for
mere showmanship or mesmerism, as super-apostles and immature apostles
convey. Such potency is necessary to penetrate new, and often difficult,
spiritual or territorial frontiers.
(7) Good sufferers.....Super- and immature apostles listen up! True
apostles possess a special grace to sustain unusual suffering to
accomplish their apostolic goals (Ac 8:1, 1Co 4:9-13, 2Co 1:8-10, 7:5,
11:23-33). The New Testament writers never shrink back from presenting
this less tasty truth. Read the passages listed. Because apostolic
initiatives are often lofty and groundbreaking, they battle highly
exalted and deeply entrenched demonic powers. Proven apostles often
provoke violent spirits (Ac 16:16-24, 17:5-8, 21:27-36, 1Co 15:32),
political spirits (how often do we see the early apostles arrested or
imprisoned? Mt 10:18), and religious spirits (2Co 11:3-5,13-15, 1Jn
4:1-6, Gal 1:8).
Apostolic maturation
We need our unripe apostles to mature. We need them to progress beyond
the spiritual "young men" stage into "fatherhood" (1Jn 2:13,14). Here
are three biggies.
Intimacy before ministry. Spiritual adolescents are gifted and zealous
for ministry, but inconsistent in their daily lovemaking to the Lord.
Promising apostles self-destruct because they found their identity and
emotional well-being on ministry. When daily intimacy with their First
Love becomes their highest value and strongest habit, and ministry
simply an overflowing consequence, they are entering true spiritual
maturity. Mark 12:29,30, Luke 10:39-42, Revelation 2:4
Character before ability. What does it profit you, me, us, or God to be
apostolically proficient...yet angry? Or controlling? Or egotistical? Or
hooked on porn? Or unable to have fulfilling and peaceful
relationships? Or gluttonous? Or depressed? Or crippled by the past? Or
codependent? Skill without character is a ship with a hole in the floor.
It might float for awhile, but oh will it sink and take everyone down
with it. Depend on the Spirit's presence, on Scripture, on trusted
Christians, on good resources, and on providential circumstances to
clean your gut and become truly Christlike. James 1:21, 1Peter 2:1-3
Relationships before achievements. Congratulations...you can preach the
church into the Spirit, you can pray and see unusual results, you can
doctor a ministry, you can dislodge stubborn spirits, you can penetrate a
region. But can you have happy relationships? Can you love a woman? Can
you keep good friends? Can you relax and be yourself without having to
be "apostolic"? If you lost everything today, and made a disaster of
your life and ministry, who would still be standing with you? Everyone
likes a successful person. Grow past performance.
Declaring war on the "super-apostles"
Scripture gives us two blinking lights on false apostles. My prayer is
that we all slow down, back up, take a breath, and examine the apostolic
waters we might be drinking from. Though some might be true streams
muddied by immaturity, some are false streams altogether.
Conceit..."super-apostles" Paul labeled the false apostles of his day
"super-apostles" (2Co 11:5,13-15, 12:11), sarcastically calling
attention to their egotism, narcissism, and grandiosity. This should
give us some direction in spotting the masquerading angels of light in
our day and city. False apostles are more than just occasionally
prideful, which anyone can stumble into. False apostles have a superman
complex that is constant, overwhelming, and reeks for miles. They
manifest the satanic vanity of Lucifer before and after his fall (Isa
14:12-14, Eze 28:17).
Control..."Nicolaitans" Jesus called the false apostles in Ephesus
"Nicolaitans" (Rev 2:2,6), which means "to conquer and control the laity
(common people)". This happened in Ephesus, and there is nothing new
under the sun. False apostles create a type of spiritual dictatorship,
claiming canonical authority (directly or indirectly). They assume an
illegitimate dominion over the personal choices of Christians,
especially their relationships and finances. Jim Jones, David Koresh,
Warren Jeffs, and others are glaring examples of contemporary
Nicolaitans, false apostles. Most, if not every, aspect of the laity's
lives were commandeered and domineered. The ends of these stories are
tragic.
Put simply, false apostles are drunk on themselves and drunk on power.
Their apostleship should be despised, blacklisted, and abandoned. Jesus
honored the Ephesians for testing those who claimed to be apostles (Rev
2:2), the Bereans were commemorated as noble for testing the great
apostle Paul (Ac 17:11), and we are told to test everything from
prophecies (1Th 5:20,21) to spirits (1Jn 4:1-6) to evangelists (Gal
1:6-10)! Don't jump first and look later. Spiritual doesn't mean stupid.
If you are told to "not test" or "not question", you might just be
around a Nicolaitan or a Nicolaitan spirit.
God shine on you,
Junior
www.juniordesouza.com
www.jdmprophecy.com
that this is a good start for us all. Also, be sure and listen to my
latest radio interview on the Steve Duignan Show at http://www.talktosteve.com.
A cry for apostles, genuine and mature
Whenever God moves, Satan countermoves, and his greatest countermove is
the counterfeit. The resurgence of genuine apostolic leadership in
recent decades has been challenged by dangerous look-alikes. It seems
everywhere I go some power-hungry egotist is flaunting that million
dollar title, "Apostle Such-n-Such". To further sell himself (or
herself)...a snake oil salesman grin, a classy business card, a shiny
suit, a few Scripture verses, a good stage presence, a regurgitated
sermon, and voila!, you have a modern-day super-apostle, Paul's
sarcastic term for Satan's apostolic counterfeits (2Co 11:5,13-15,
12:11).
But not every sour-tasting or slick-looking "apostle" is false. Some are
simply immature in the Lord and in their calling. No, it does not
matter if they have a massive following. This does not equal maturity.
Remember, an entire "civilized" nation followed Adolf Hitler into
attempted genocide, so please, don't be hypnotized by large crowds, big
buildings, or pretty websites. Popularity is judged only by Heaven's
assessment, and that court evaluates by spiritual maturity and daily
Christlikeness.
I'm broken inside by a Spirit-filled cry for genuine and mature
apostleship. Hear my cry church! Hear the cry of the Lord! Christian con
artists will always be around, but they would be continually exposed if
we demanded spiritual excellence from true, but adolescent, apostles.
Why are we so spellbound by apostolic anointing, but indifferent towards
apostolic immaturity?
Because the church has gone many centuries without widespread, quality
apostolic leadership. Therefore, she is spiritually dehydrated for this
expression of the risen Christ (Eph 4:8-13). Now that these waters are
flowing freely once again, many Christians are drinking ravenously
without looking, without even taking a breath--a prayer breath. Friends
and brethren, slow down! Back up, breath, and study the quality of
apostolic waters you are drinking from. Not every stream flows from the
true River of God. And of those that do, unresolved emotional,
behavioral, and relational sins can pollute what should be pure waters.
True apostles
Canonical vs Functional
The greatest demarcation line that needs to be drawn within apostleship
is the one that distinguishes canonical apostles from functional ones.
False and immature apostles both blur this line and cross this line
repeatedly. However, if we understand and uphold this plumb line well,
we outwit the super-apostles and we force the immature ones to wise up
and grow up.
Canonical apostles
The term canon refers to the collection of writings recognized as
divinely-inspired Scripture by the Jewish and Christian community. The
Holy Spirit breathed thirty-nine books for the Old Testament canon, and
twenty-seven books for the New Testament canon. The OT canon was
absorbed and recorded by the prophets or their personal associates (Mt
22:40, Ro 1:2, 16:26, 1Pet 1:10-12, 2Pet 1:19-21), the NT by the
first-century apostles or their personal associates (1Co 2:13, 14:37,38,
1Th 5:27, 2Th 3:14, 2Pet 3:16, Rev 22:18,19). These two orders of
messengers possessed an identical authority and call (to establish the
canon), and for this reason, appear side-by-side often in Scripture (Lk
11:49, 2Pet 3:2; Ro 1:2-5, 16:25,26, Mt 13:11,16,17). Polycarp, a
disciple of John, also equated them: "So then, let us serve him with all
fear and all reverence, as he himself commanded us, and as did the
apostles who brought us the gospel and the prophets who foretold the
coming of our Lord" (in his letter to the Philippians, 6:3).
The first-century, Scripture-writing apostles were canonical apostles.
This means three things:
Authority They possessed absolute theocratic authority. When
speaking/writing ministerially, their words were indisputable divine law
to be obeyed without question. Hence, their overtly authoritative
language (1Co 14:37,38, 2Co 13:2,3,8,10, 2Th 3:14, Phile 8, 2Pet 3:16,
1Jn 4:6, Rev 22:18,19). Such authority licensed them to write Scripture.
Inauguration They introduced and inaugurated new, epochal truths in
God's redemptive program (Eph 3:1-10, Ro 16:25,26): the New Covenant
(Hebrews), grace (Galatians, Romans), Gentile inclusion (Ephesians), the
indwelling Spirit (Acts, Romans), church protocol (1&2Timothy,
Titus), and a clearer eschatological picture (Matthew, Revelation). God
confirmed their heralding with convincing demonstrations of power (Mk
16:20, Heb 2:3,4, Ac 13:8-12, 14:3, 1Co 2:4). These new revelatory
developments were recorded canonically as Scripture.
Foundation They are the foundation of the universal church. Because of
their limited and unique work, they constitute "the twelve apostles of
the Lamb" written on the twelve foundations of Zion (Rev 21:14).
None of today's apostles have written a book of the Bible, inaugurated
new, epochal truth from Heaven that required a canonical record
(Scripture), or founded the universal church. Are we starting to see the
silliness of super-apostles and Nicolaitians? The false aside, we do
have and need functional apostles in the ongoing church of God. We need
them to understand what they are and what they do, and especially the
maturity required of them.
Functional apostles
Functional apostles are identical to the canonical ones, minus the
canonical aspect. Notice Revelation 21:14 establishes only "the twelve
apostles of the Lamb" as canonical, yet the New Testament mentions
around twenty apostles total.
For example, Paul refers to Timothy as an "apostle" in 1Thessalonians
2:6 (w/1:1), but only as a "brother" in 2Corinthians 1:1 (referring to
only himself as "an apostle of Christ Jesus"). (He does similarly with
Sosthenes in 1Corinthians 1:1.) Paul was acknowledging Timothy's
functional apostleship to the Thessalonians, but excluding him from the
canonical brand to the Corinthians, something he needed to do in
response to the meddling super-apostles challenging his unique authority
(2Co 11:5,13-15, 12:11, 13:3,10, 1Co 4:18,19).
These subtleties in Scripture help us perceive and distinguish canonical
apostleship from functional apostleship. The canonical was the
exception, the functional was the norm. Functional apostles perpetuate
basic apostolic functions, functions the church needed then, needs now,
and will always need until the end.
So then, what is an apostle? How are the great apostles of the first
century and the true apostles of today identical? A truly born-again,
truly gifted, and truly called apostle has seven distinct traits:
(1) Leader of leaders.....True apostles have a magnetic draw that turns
leaders into followers. Leaders want to look, listen, and learn from
them, even if from a silent distance. They have a presence that is
impressionable and difficult to resist. They are more than just
disciplers, which any Christian can and should be. They were born to
develop and superintend leaders as spiritual head coaches. EX:
Paul-Timothy, Paul-Titus, Peter-John Mark, Barnabas-John Mark,
John-Polycarp; Acts 14:23, 2Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5, 1Peter 5:13
(2) Church developers.....True apostles father local churches, whether
planting and establishing new ones (Ac 8:14, 11:22, Ro 15:20, 1Co 4:15,
9:1,2), or, doctoring and maturing existing ones (2Co 11:28, 1Pet 1:1).
They develop leadership (2Ti 2:2), establish protocol and order (1Ti
2-5, 1Co 14), establish lines of submission (Eph 5,6, 1Pet 2,3),
safeguard doctrinal integrity (1Ti 1:3-11, 6:3, 2Pet 2, 2John), resolve
problems (Ac 15, 1Co 5-15), and stimulate corporate growth and
maturation (Ro 1:11,12, 1Pet 1,3,4, 1John) in their congregations.
(3) Ministerial pioneers.....True apostles innovate projects that supply
what is lacking in a church, ministry, territory, or system (1Th 3:10,
Ro 1:11, Ro 15:20,21). Their vision is panoramic and broad, quickly
assessing the big picture and what is lacking or misplaced. Then, with
originality and relevance, they pioneer strategies for spiritual
optimization.
(4) Capable mobilizers.....True apostles are skilled at mobilizing
groups of people to fulfill ministerial initiatives (Ac 2:42-47, 6:1-6,
15:22,23). They organize and inspire collective movement. Because their
view is an overview, they are slightly more concerned about group
movement than individual movement.
(5) Translocal networkers.....True apostles connect and unify churches,
ministries, and leaders that would otherwise remain fragmented (Ac
11:29,30, 16:4, Ro 15:25-28, 1Co 4:17, 16:1-4,12, 2Co 8:1-6, 9:1-4, 1Pet
1:1). They are the relational and social bridges of the global church.
Though they might not be natural extroverts, the charis apostolos within
them graces their personality to effectively build bridges, deconstruct
walls, and develop networks of love in the assorted church.
Here is where the super-apostles and adolescent apostles betray
themselves. A genuine and mature apostle cares little about
"denominations" and "movements" and "celebrity Christianity" (1Co
1:10-17, 3:3,4,21-23). They care about one thing: kingdom (4:19,20).
Though they might have their own minor convictions and affiliations,
they rise above these peripheral ideals to emphasize kingdom, "for the
kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [or any other
peripheral doctrine], but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit" (Ro 14:17). They sincerely exude that "there is one body and one
Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all
and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). Super-apostles care nothing
for such cross-denominational unity, and immature apostles are still
vainly ambitious about "my" ministry, "my" promotion, "my" denomination,
"my" movement.
Timothy, a functional apostle (1Th 2:6 w/1:1), was a true translocal
unifier, Philippians 2:21,22 says: For everyone looks out for his own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has
proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me
in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him...
Epaphroditus, another functional apostle mentioned just verses later,
was also a selfless unifier (Php 2:25-30): But I think it is necessary
to send back to you Epaphroditus...your messenger [Gk apostolos], whom
you sent to take care of my needs...I am all the more eager to send him,
so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less
anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life...
(6) Supernatural dispensers.....True apostles minister with remarkable
power to accomplish their groundbreaking initiatives. Scripture
highlights this explicitly as a mark of apostleship (Ro 15:19,20, 2Co
12:12, 1Co 4:19,20). The unusual voltage of their ministry is not for
mere showmanship or mesmerism, as super-apostles and immature apostles
convey. Such potency is necessary to penetrate new, and often difficult,
spiritual or territorial frontiers.
(7) Good sufferers.....Super- and immature apostles listen up! True
apostles possess a special grace to sustain unusual suffering to
accomplish their apostolic goals (Ac 8:1, 1Co 4:9-13, 2Co 1:8-10, 7:5,
11:23-33). The New Testament writers never shrink back from presenting
this less tasty truth. Read the passages listed. Because apostolic
initiatives are often lofty and groundbreaking, they battle highly
exalted and deeply entrenched demonic powers. Proven apostles often
provoke violent spirits (Ac 16:16-24, 17:5-8, 21:27-36, 1Co 15:32),
political spirits (how often do we see the early apostles arrested or
imprisoned? Mt 10:18), and religious spirits (2Co 11:3-5,13-15, 1Jn
4:1-6, Gal 1:8).
Apostolic maturation
We need our unripe apostles to mature. We need them to progress beyond
the spiritual "young men" stage into "fatherhood" (1Jn 2:13,14). Here
are three biggies.
Intimacy before ministry. Spiritual adolescents are gifted and zealous
for ministry, but inconsistent in their daily lovemaking to the Lord.
Promising apostles self-destruct because they found their identity and
emotional well-being on ministry. When daily intimacy with their First
Love becomes their highest value and strongest habit, and ministry
simply an overflowing consequence, they are entering true spiritual
maturity. Mark 12:29,30, Luke 10:39-42, Revelation 2:4
Character before ability. What does it profit you, me, us, or God to be
apostolically proficient...yet angry? Or controlling? Or egotistical? Or
hooked on porn? Or unable to have fulfilling and peaceful
relationships? Or gluttonous? Or depressed? Or crippled by the past? Or
codependent? Skill without character is a ship with a hole in the floor.
It might float for awhile, but oh will it sink and take everyone down
with it. Depend on the Spirit's presence, on Scripture, on trusted
Christians, on good resources, and on providential circumstances to
clean your gut and become truly Christlike. James 1:21, 1Peter 2:1-3
Relationships before achievements. Congratulations...you can preach the
church into the Spirit, you can pray and see unusual results, you can
doctor a ministry, you can dislodge stubborn spirits, you can penetrate a
region. But can you have happy relationships? Can you love a woman? Can
you keep good friends? Can you relax and be yourself without having to
be "apostolic"? If you lost everything today, and made a disaster of
your life and ministry, who would still be standing with you? Everyone
likes a successful person. Grow past performance.
Declaring war on the "super-apostles"
Scripture gives us two blinking lights on false apostles. My prayer is
that we all slow down, back up, take a breath, and examine the apostolic
waters we might be drinking from. Though some might be true streams
muddied by immaturity, some are false streams altogether.
Conceit..."super-apostles" Paul labeled the false apostles of his day
"super-apostles" (2Co 11:5,13-15, 12:11), sarcastically calling
attention to their egotism, narcissism, and grandiosity. This should
give us some direction in spotting the masquerading angels of light in
our day and city. False apostles are more than just occasionally
prideful, which anyone can stumble into. False apostles have a superman
complex that is constant, overwhelming, and reeks for miles. They
manifest the satanic vanity of Lucifer before and after his fall (Isa
14:12-14, Eze 28:17).
Control..."Nicolaitans" Jesus called the false apostles in Ephesus
"Nicolaitans" (Rev 2:2,6), which means "to conquer and control the laity
(common people)". This happened in Ephesus, and there is nothing new
under the sun. False apostles create a type of spiritual dictatorship,
claiming canonical authority (directly or indirectly). They assume an
illegitimate dominion over the personal choices of Christians,
especially their relationships and finances. Jim Jones, David Koresh,
Warren Jeffs, and others are glaring examples of contemporary
Nicolaitans, false apostles. Most, if not every, aspect of the laity's
lives were commandeered and domineered. The ends of these stories are
tragic.
Put simply, false apostles are drunk on themselves and drunk on power.
Their apostleship should be despised, blacklisted, and abandoned. Jesus
honored the Ephesians for testing those who claimed to be apostles (Rev
2:2), the Bereans were commemorated as noble for testing the great
apostle Paul (Ac 17:11), and we are told to test everything from
prophecies (1Th 5:20,21) to spirits (1Jn 4:1-6) to evangelists (Gal
1:6-10)! Don't jump first and look later. Spiritual doesn't mean stupid.
If you are told to "not test" or "not question", you might just be
around a Nicolaitan or a Nicolaitan spirit.
God shine on you,
Junior
www.juniordesouza.com
www.jdmprophecy.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Apostle Kevin E. Kemp, Sr. on
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Thank you Apostle Richardson for this posting. This is very timely and true. I haven't know or seen so many Apostles in my life until I started reviewing the BPN postings. It's chilling! I was almost attempted to withdraw our ministry posting, but then I remembered my posting intent for Kingdom Building Networking! I'm staying in the networking race for now. Lord help us All!
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Permalink Reply by Apostle Marc Richardson on
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Continue to press in Bishop....as the rise of the Apostles move forward, the enemy will always send out his counterfit servants to cause mass confusion and to get even the elect to deny the kairos of God during this dispensation. May great grace be your portion as you advance the Kingdom all the more!!!
Agape/Shalom!! -
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Permalink Reply by Ken Biggers on
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God bless you Apostle Richardson. I want to thank you for such words of truth. Currently, I sit under the teaching of a true man of God, Apostle Nate Holcomb. I have experienced many self proclaimed Apostles that do not understand the meaning and have not received the mantle of an Apostle. Nevertheless, I just wanted to say thank you.
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Permalink Reply by George Karanga Kiarie. on
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It has been clearly said- Thank you Apostle Richardson. I have often met people who call themselves apostles yet they know little or nothing about what entails one being an Apostle. I have personally seen that as a minister there are things that you have mentioned that stand out for all called to minister and be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a pathetic picture when we see many of the "wo/men of God" who only want to measure their success/ blessings through their flashy appearances and adornments. The seven things you mention are and should continue being a challenge to all servants of God- if they are truly called.
Indeed Iron sharpens iron! -
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I always say...you wont know them by title....but you will know them when they open their mouth!!
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Permalink Reply by Apostle Vasiliki L. Daniels on
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Thank you my dear brother, Apostle Richardson for allowing the breath of God to breathe out the words to the nation of HIS poeple "So Help US GOD!!!!
This message is so ever so true, I pray that those that have an ear to hear what the apostolic prophetic voice is saying in this hour.
It is so sad to be amongst Apostles, then come to find out that their heart is not the heart of God's loves for setting the souls free from lies, to only find out that God has to use you(HIS TRUE APOSTLES) as bait to go on the enemy camp to rescuse the souls from the hands of deception(IMPOSTORS).
God can also send these (IMPOSTORS) a deliver(GOD'S TRUE APOSTLES) to delivered them(IMPOSTORS) from their corruptible life stlye, TO REPENT AND RETURN BACK TO THIER FIRST LOVE(THE TRUE LIVING GOD)and then they turn around and cuss you out or try to work their formulation of witchcraft against you, which is powerless against the power of GOD that is in us,that anointing destroys yokes)because of the truth was told.(the blood is off of our hands now)
I am so bless to know that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that we (GOD'S TRUE APOSTLES) shall not fear no evil, or (IMPOSTORS) who blows their breath like a firing breathing dragon, Because we (GOD'S TRUE APOSTLES) has the true fire of the anointing that will burn up their fiery darts, false altars, and to tear the innocent souls out from the hellhounds hands,that have the souls hellbound by their spellbound of germicide posion deceptive lies.
I encourage that this message will reach all of God's Sons and Daughters and that we may beable to "IRON SHARPEN IRON) one another in God's Spirit and in Truth.
A REMINDER: THERE IS NO GENDER OF WOLVES IN SHEEP CLOTHING(IMPOSTORS), THERE ARE MALES AND FEMALES.
God Bless in HIS heart of LOVE
Apostle Vasiliki L. Daniels -
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Greetings once again:
After viewing and reading the message, as I went back to my profile to view other information, I have forgot to make mention of the salutation that must be given to the man of God who is part of this blessed group. J. DeSouza, I Salute to the man of God who has given this information to us, and to say bless you again Apostle Richardson for sharing J. DeSouza message to all of us "SO HELP US GOD!!!! (IRON SHARPEN IRON)
IGod Bless in HIS heart of LOVE
Apostle Vasiliki L. Daniels -
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