Apostolic Structure
Apostolic Structure
Because of a faulty understanding concerning the role and function of Apostles in the End Times Church, many have simply given themselves the title of Apostle and claim apostolic structure based on their own personal preferences.
Here is a brief outline of what is involved in the setting up of an apostolic structure in the Church:
1. A church need not have been planted by an apostle. It is often started as the result of the evangelistic efforts of believers who have a zeal for the lost. It may also be started by several believers gathering together for fellowship.
2. This is seen as an example in the Acts, where the original church at Antioch was started by believers who scattered due to the persecution and simple spread the Word as they went.
3. In the case of Antioch, the Church at Jerusalem was considered the spiritual headquarters of the Christian Church, and they sent someone to take charge of the work at Antioch. The man that they sent was Barnabas, who had a pastoral ministry, with a prophetic orientation. He was sent by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to take a role of overseer at Antioch.
4. Barnabas later took it upon himself to call in help for the work. A teaching ministry was sorely needed, so he went and found Paul, and brought him back to help in the work.
5. After a season the Church at Antioch was well established under the leadership of elders, and some of these elders also had moved into the Fivefold Ministry. All that was lacking was the existence of Apostles.
6. In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit spoke during a time when the members of the fivefold ministry were gathering to wait on the Lord. At that time the only fivefold ministries which were recognized were the Prophet and Teacher. Once Paul and Barnabas had been set apart as Apostles, there were now Apostles, Prophets and Teachers at Antioch.
7. Now Antioch began to stand as a Ministry Center in its own right, just like Jerusalem. And only now could it begin to function in true New Testament pattern. The full apostolic structure was now in place.
8. Now that Antioch was established as a Ministry Center, Paul and Barnabas were free to leave the work under the leadership of elders who could hold the fort, while they traveled out to different places to establish new churches. The actual work of traveling out or "doing the work of an evangelist" was not their apostolic function, but allowed them to carry out their apostolic function once each new church was established.
9. In establishing new churches, we see three distinct stages that were carried out as follows:
(1) Where no church existed, the Apostles preached the Gospel and founded new churches. This required an application of the Evangelistic Ministry.
(2) Once churches were formed, the Apostles appointed elders in each church. This opened the way for the Pastoral Ministry.
(3) To churches that showed promise Paul sent representatives to go and spend time at that location, or he went himself for a season to help establish the work. This resulted in several main ministry centers being formed at those locations.
10. Churches existed at two levels. The highest level was the Ministry Center, which was usually located in a major city or region. Then there were the local churches that met in homes spread throughout the community. When Paul wrote to his churches, he wrote to the leaders of the Ministry Center, knowing that his letter would be distributed to every level.
11. For a list of churches that would have been considered Ministry Centers in the early church, you need simply look at the list of churches to which John wrote in the book of revelation. There were many smaller home churches under the authority of those main Ministry Centers.
12. The fivefold ministry always works from and returns to the local ministry center. So Paul and Barnabas as apostles worked from and were sent out from Antioch. However they returned there after completing their travels, since that was their home location. Prophets, Evangelists and Teachers all are sent forth from the Ministry Center and return there eventually.
13. The only ministry that remains 'at home' is the Pastoral Office. The Pastor is an elder over a region and this can occur at various different levels. So there may be a Pastor of a home church, a Pastor of a local suburb, or a Pastor over a ministry center.
14. The church at Jerusalem was under the Apostolic Leadership of Peter and John, but the local Pastor of that Church was James, the brother of Jesus. Thus when Peter and John traveled out, as Paul and Barnabas did, they left the home center under the authority and leadership of James.
15. The Pastoral Office is in effect the position held by one who is the overseer of a Ministry Center. This is a much higher level than Pastoring a local home church or regional church gatherings.
Christ the Head
1. Apostles.
2. Prophets.
3. Teachers.
4. Evangelists.
5. Pastors.
6. Elders (Teaching & Non-Teaching).
7. Deacons/Deaconesses/Bishops
8. Leaders.
9. Administration/Governments/Helps/Operations.
10. Lay Ministers/Servants/Members (Volunteers--the Priesthood of every believer).
New Pattern Schematic
The End Times Church is being established on a pattern which partially resembles the Early Church, but a full pattern is better obtained by considering the allegories God has given us from the Old Testament.
A. Apostolic Offices
God is establishing four different realms of operation for the Apostolic Office in these last days. These are based on the structure given by the early leaders of Israel as follows:
The Moses Apostle
The David Apostle
The Joshua Apostle
The Solomon Apostle
Each of these apostolic types has a different emphasis, and together they accomplish the establishment of the Church according to the Pattern that God has given.
Moses Apostles
The role of this apostle is to lay a doctrinal foundation for the Church and to set in place a pattern that will help transition the Church from the systems of this world (Egypt) to the system that God has given (Promised Land).
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on the Teaching Office.
Joshua Apostles
The role of this apostle is to practically set in place the structure laid out by the Moses Apostle. Thus just as Joshua took the land and apportioned it to the people by their tribes, so the Joshua apostle will 'take the land' and apportion it to the church.
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on evangelism and revival.
David Apostles
The role of this apostle is to gather together those who have rejected and moved away from the existing church system, and build them together into a new pattern. Just David trained up his mighty men, and then brought the ark of God back to the people, so this apostolic type will bring about the restoration of the presence of God, with an emphasis on music as part of the process.
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on the Prophetic Office.
Solomon Apostles
The role of this apostle is to bring together the old and new under a new pattern that will establish the fullness of God's order for the End Times Church. In order to accomplish this, this apostolic type will complete the pattern that is initiated by the David apostle, just as Solomon built the temple designed by David.
This apostolic type will make use of the principles of business and cause an influx of finances in order to accomplish this task.
The main emphasis of this apostolic type is the Pastoral Office.
B. The Church Structure
The End Times church will be structured very much like the early church, but with more emphasis on networking, so that the work will not be destroyed as the early church was because of the lack of full communication.
The End Times Church has far more resources than the early church had, and is more equipped to carry this out. It will do this using the following levels of spiritual authority.
1. Apostolic Parentage
God's order is for the Apostolic Fathers and Mothers to birth a new breed of Fivefold Ministries which will 'leave home' to establish the Church according to the new pattern that has been birthed into them.
2. Apostolic Teams
Those who have been birthed by spiritual parents will function as full apostolic teams, and will be sent forth as Jesus sent His apostles to go forth to the nations to continue the work He had begun.
Amongst such teams there will be those who hold more executive positions as Presbyters under the Apostolic Parents, just Peter, James and John held such positions within the team of 12 that Jesus set up.
3. Prophetic Counter Insurgence
Only by the use of Counter Insurgence Warfare (C.O.I.N.) can the works of darkness be undermined and overcome. This was lacking in the early church, and the enemy succeeded in destroying all the leaders before the work could grow to a point of being strong enough to survive all attack.
It has been proved that this warfare tactic is more effective than conventional war, and that is why the enemy has sought this form of warfare both against the church, and in the natural world. We must use Satan's own tactics against him in order to survive and overcome.
It is the role of the Prophetic Office both to birth and to protect the establishment of new works. The prophet must prepare the ground in the Spirit, and then continue to protect the new ministry by 'Patrolling the Walls' of the new church.
4. Accountability and Chain of Command
It is necessary that leadership authority always be delegated downwards, and that levels of authority and accountability are maintained for the protection of all, and the efficient functioning of the work of God.
God has never been the author of the Democracy that is so strongly touted by today's politicians. He has always functioned on a Theocracy, where He has the king, He as given His command, and expected a response from the people.
End Times apostles are thus usually depicted as Kings, and Jesus Himself is known as the King of Kings. Thus true apostolic structure involves the delegation downwards of authority and the subsequent accountability to one another in the Lord.
5. Clear Local Structure.
The local church is always the church in the community, and consists of the church in the place where the people live. This is most commonly seen in the form of home churches, or the gathering of small groups for fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.
The larger gathering is to be found in periodic times of fellowship amongst the home churches, larger conferences and conventions, and the merging together of the church in the local Ministry Center, at which activities will take place 24/7 and from which all local ministry is directed.
This began in the early church with the use of the Temple for public gatherings, and the local gatherings in the homes. Later on Ministry Centers were established in the larger regions.
The Apostolic Church: Integral Components
Apostolic Truth
Christ the Priest: Salvation, sanctification, worship
Christ the King : the kingdom & mobilization
Christ as Creator, Redeemer, Lord : Development, Redemption, Government
Apostolic Spirit
The Holy Spirit for a new life
The Holy Spirit for empowerment for service
The Holy Spirit for sanctification
Apostolic Structure
Apostolic (Headquarters): for Mission = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, Chief Elder (Pastor)
Presbyterian (Local Church): for Pastoral Care = Chief Elder (Pastor), Elders (Teaching & Non-Teaching)
Diaconal (Small Groups): to serve both = Deacons/Deaconesses/Bishops, Leaders, & Administration/Governments/Helps/Operations
Congregational: well ordered churches, and a mobilized corps of volunteers for all areas of life = Lay Ministers/Servants/Members (Volunteers--the Priesthood of every believer)
Each component of the suggested model is necessary in the apostolic Church. With each component working in cooperative union, the Church can ably take new territory and safeguard territory already taken. In other words, she can shape the future. May God grace us to cooperate with the Lord Jesus as He braids a cord of apostolic Truth, of apostolic Power, and of apostolic Structure. A threefold cord is not easily broken. Let us not make it difficult for the Lord to braid it in the first place. There is a future to shape.
The Apostolic Ministry Structure
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
There is a place for every believer to be fully activated in ministry in the apostolic structure of the church.
As you stand peering at a High Rise building under construction you can see that massive metal framework climbing into the blue skies above. Soon that towering skeleton will disappear from sight as it is covered by block, plaster, paint, windows and decorative stone. It’s not the decorum that gives strength to the building but the unseen framework.
APOSTOLIC DESIGN
A building is something assembled with various components that are held together by a framework. That framework is the supporting structure of the building. Just like a High Rise building has a framework that provides its strength, so too does the Church have a structure that provides its strength. We are going to call the churches framework the apostolic structure or design.
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
It is no coincidence that our Lord was born into a carpenter’s family and learned the skills and the trade of a carpenter. Since the natural is often a reflection of the spiritual we can learn some interesting truths. Jesus is a builder. In fact, Jesus is still building His Church. He said,
I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell [hades/ unseen/ grave] shall not prevail [be prevailing] against it (Matthew 16:18).
Since Jesus is the Master Builder and we are His workforce (disciples), we must learn how to cooperate with His construction ministry. There are many scriptures that teach us about the apostolic design and how we fit into it such as:
We are lively stones (components) of His Church.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
When fitly joined together we provide something that produces increase. All believers are lively stones set apart to build what Jesus is building.
“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 unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
FOUNDATION
Not only is Jesus the architect of His Church, He is the very foundation. He is the Chief Corner Stone by which every lively stone must be aligned. scripture says,
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens 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; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
CORNERSTONE
In the construction process, the purpose of a cornerstone is for a sure alignment. It would be dreadful to work on a High Rise building only to discover that it leans like the bell tower of the Cathedral in Pisa. Just like a cornerstone, every lively stone must be cut and chiseled into shape for proper alignment inside Jesus’ apostolic structure.
In the apostolic design, Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into the apostolic structure therefore requires believers to submit to the fitting and chiseling of these two ascension gift assistants.
APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT
Oftentimes, proper alignment to the cornerstone requires some cutting and chiseling in the lives of believers before the building process can begin. While the stones are lively they might not have a perfect alignment. Certain hindrances may need to be torn down, such as self-righteousness, pride, legalism, hypocrisy, doctrinal error, ignorance, and even rebellion. Sometimes even deliverance must take place. All are in preparation for entrance into His apostolic design.
When a building is structured properly the interrelated parts that are galvanized together provide an amazing strength to the entire building. The pattern of the apostolic is no different, when all the essential parts are in the right place there is strength. That strength readies the Church for the habitation of the Spirit of God. Therefore it is vitally important to see Jesus’ apostolic design and our part as lively components.
DESTRUCTION INSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Many English words define the definition of structure. Let’s look at three interesting English words destruction, instruction and construction. All three of these words will help us enter God’s apostolic design.
1. De- Structure (Destruction): Sometimes things have to be destructed before they can be constructed.
2. In-Structure (Instruction): Instruction must be received before one can be part of the construction.
3. Con- Structure (Construction): Construction is what every born again believer is called to be doing.
DESTRUCTION
Oftentimes, before we can enter the apostolic design of the local church, destruction is the first step in the construction process. Words associated with destruction are: demolish, dismantle, tear down and remove. During the destruction phase there is a dismantling of vain religious traditions or inadequate understanding of scripture. Some of the enemies of the apostolic structure that require destruction include:
Religion: Religion is an enemy of the apostolic because it is legalistic, self-righteous and hypocritical. Jesus, the builder of the church pronounced many woes against the religious spirit (Matthew 23). I wrote about this extensively in my book 30 Pieces of Silver.
My Ministry Syndrome: Those infected by the My-Ministry Syndrome only come to church to get something to advance their own ministries. This condition does not fit in the apostolic structure because it seeks to build its own ministry outside the local church. Jesus wants to use everybody in ministry but that ministry is never disconnected from the local church. Jesus, therefore, is building His Church with many members and not the lone ranger, Rambo’s ministry.
Bless-Me-Only: Many believers come to church only to be blessed. Yes, blessing takes place in an apostolic church, but it is only the beginning. After blessing comes equipping and training for the work of ministry. An apostolic design will refuse to let you slip into a consumerism or spectator mindset.
APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTION
After destruction is instruction. Words associated with instruction include: advise, counsel, coach, educate, explain, give lessons, guide, inform, school, teach, tutor and train.
As we receive apostolic instruction we become candidates to be placed inside the apostolic structure. This training enables us to become actively involved by equipping us for works of service. After you are trained you can become part of the construction process, the edifying (building) of the local church.
When instruction is not received, however, it diminishes the effectiveness and the strength of the apostolic design and makes it impossible to become fitly framed together. If an essential part is left vacant and unoccupied it is not supplying strength to the structure. Scripture says,
“How can two walk together unless they agree?” (Amos 3:3).
A lack of agreement disqualifies one from becoming an effective joint that supplies and places them outside the structure. For instruction to take place requires submission and a hungry heart. Scripture says,
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a Father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not My law. For I was my Father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of My mother. He taught Me also, and said unto Me, Let thine heart retain My Words: keep My commandments, and live” (Proverbs 4:1-4).
APOSTOLIC CONSTRUCTION
Now that we have progressed through the destruction and received instruction we can enter the realm of construction. Words associated with construction are: assemble, form, compose, engineer, fashion, fabricate, build up, frame, fit together, edify and strengthen.
When one has come into the apostolic structure of the local church their individual gifts and specific callings are activated. All our gifts and talents are given by God for the edifying of the local church with its mission to disciple believers and fulfill the Great Commission. Scripture confirms that all have a role to play in the success and building of the church,
“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 unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
The purpose for the apostolic framework is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. This structure of ministry is the apostolic design that you have learned throughout. The quickest way to enter the ministry is by submitting your gifts and talents to the leadership of your church and making yourself available for service.
Every believer that submits to instruction fits in the apostolic framework.
There is room in the house for every gift, talent, calling and grace. Envision your individual calling added to the success of our corporate calling as an apostolic church.
THE APOSTOLIC STRUCTURE
Apostolic structure consist of the following that we will discuss at another time.
1. The Set-man = Chief Apostle
2. The Presbytery (Elders/5 Fold Equipping) Team = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, & Pastors
3. In House Ministry Teams = Pastors, Teachers, Elders, & Deacons
4. Outreach Teams and Small Groups = Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, & Deacons
5. The Local Church Ministry Equipping Center = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, & Chief Elder (Pastor)
In Conclusion:
The purpose of apostolic structure is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into apostolic structure believers submit to the cutting and the chiseling (discipleship) of apostles and prophets. In this process of maturing believers get aligned to Christ who is the cornerstone, for a sure alignment to Him. Are you ready to enter the apostolic structure?
Because of a faulty understanding concerning the role and function of Apostles in the End Times Church, many have simply given themselves the title of Apostle and claim apostolic structure based on their own personal preferences.
Here is a brief outline of what is involved in the setting up of an apostolic structure in the Church:
1. A church need not have been planted by an apostle. It is often started as the result of the evangelistic efforts of believers who have a zeal for the lost. It may also be started by several believers gathering together for fellowship.
2. This is seen as an example in the Acts, where the original church at Antioch was started by believers who scattered due to the persecution and simple spread the Word as they went.
3. In the case of Antioch, the Church at Jerusalem was considered the spiritual headquarters of the Christian Church, and they sent someone to take charge of the work at Antioch. The man that they sent was Barnabas, who had a pastoral ministry, with a prophetic orientation. He was sent by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to take a role of overseer at Antioch.
4. Barnabas later took it upon himself to call in help for the work. A teaching ministry was sorely needed, so he went and found Paul, and brought him back to help in the work.
5. After a season the Church at Antioch was well established under the leadership of elders, and some of these elders also had moved into the Fivefold Ministry. All that was lacking was the existence of Apostles.
6. In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit spoke during a time when the members of the fivefold ministry were gathering to wait on the Lord. At that time the only fivefold ministries which were recognized were the Prophet and Teacher. Once Paul and Barnabas had been set apart as Apostles, there were now Apostles, Prophets and Teachers at Antioch.
7. Now Antioch began to stand as a Ministry Center in its own right, just like Jerusalem. And only now could it begin to function in true New Testament pattern. The full apostolic structure was now in place.
8. Now that Antioch was established as a Ministry Center, Paul and Barnabas were free to leave the work under the leadership of elders who could hold the fort, while they traveled out to different places to establish new churches. The actual work of traveling out or "doing the work of an evangelist" was not their apostolic function, but allowed them to carry out their apostolic function once each new church was established.
9. In establishing new churches, we see three distinct stages that were carried out as follows:
(1) Where no church existed, the Apostles preached the Gospel and founded new churches. This required an application of the Evangelistic Ministry.
(2) Once churches were formed, the Apostles appointed elders in each church. This opened the way for the Pastoral Ministry.
(3) To churches that showed promise Paul sent representatives to go and spend time at that location, or he went himself for a season to help establish the work. This resulted in several main ministry centers being formed at those locations.
10. Churches existed at two levels. The highest level was the Ministry Center, which was usually located in a major city or region. Then there were the local churches that met in homes spread throughout the community. When Paul wrote to his churches, he wrote to the leaders of the Ministry Center, knowing that his letter would be distributed to every level.
11. For a list of churches that would have been considered Ministry Centers in the early church, you need simply look at the list of churches to which John wrote in the book of revelation. There were many smaller home churches under the authority of those main Ministry Centers.
12. The fivefold ministry always works from and returns to the local ministry center. So Paul and Barnabas as apostles worked from and were sent out from Antioch. However they returned there after completing their travels, since that was their home location. Prophets, Evangelists and Teachers all are sent forth from the Ministry Center and return there eventually.
13. The only ministry that remains 'at home' is the Pastoral Office. The Pastor is an elder over a region and this can occur at various different levels. So there may be a Pastor of a home church, a Pastor of a local suburb, or a Pastor over a ministry center.
14. The church at Jerusalem was under the Apostolic Leadership of Peter and John, but the local Pastor of that Church was James, the brother of Jesus. Thus when Peter and John traveled out, as Paul and Barnabas did, they left the home center under the authority and leadership of James.
15. The Pastoral Office is in effect the position held by one who is the overseer of a Ministry Center. This is a much higher level than Pastoring a local home church or regional church gatherings.
Christ the Head
1. Apostles.
2. Prophets.
3. Teachers.
4. Evangelists.
5. Pastors.
6. Elders (Teaching & Non-Teaching).
7. Deacons/Deaconesses/Bishops
8. Leaders.
9. Administration/Governments/Helps/Operations.
10. Lay Ministers/Servants/Members (Volunteers--the Priesthood of every believer).
New Pattern Schematic
The End Times Church is being established on a pattern which partially resembles the Early Church, but a full pattern is better obtained by considering the allegories God has given us from the Old Testament.
A. Apostolic Offices
God is establishing four different realms of operation for the Apostolic Office in these last days. These are based on the structure given by the early leaders of Israel as follows:
The Moses Apostle
The David Apostle
The Joshua Apostle
The Solomon Apostle
Each of these apostolic types has a different emphasis, and together they accomplish the establishment of the Church according to the Pattern that God has given.
Moses Apostles
The role of this apostle is to lay a doctrinal foundation for the Church and to set in place a pattern that will help transition the Church from the systems of this world (Egypt) to the system that God has given (Promised Land).
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on the Teaching Office.
Joshua Apostles
The role of this apostle is to practically set in place the structure laid out by the Moses Apostle. Thus just as Joshua took the land and apportioned it to the people by their tribes, so the Joshua apostle will 'take the land' and apportion it to the church.
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on evangelism and revival.
David Apostles
The role of this apostle is to gather together those who have rejected and moved away from the existing church system, and build them together into a new pattern. Just David trained up his mighty men, and then brought the ark of God back to the people, so this apostolic type will bring about the restoration of the presence of God, with an emphasis on music as part of the process.
This apostolic type has a strong emphasis on the Prophetic Office.
Solomon Apostles
The role of this apostle is to bring together the old and new under a new pattern that will establish the fullness of God's order for the End Times Church. In order to accomplish this, this apostolic type will complete the pattern that is initiated by the David apostle, just as Solomon built the temple designed by David.
This apostolic type will make use of the principles of business and cause an influx of finances in order to accomplish this task.
The main emphasis of this apostolic type is the Pastoral Office.
B. The Church Structure
The End Times church will be structured very much like the early church, but with more emphasis on networking, so that the work will not be destroyed as the early church was because of the lack of full communication.
The End Times Church has far more resources than the early church had, and is more equipped to carry this out. It will do this using the following levels of spiritual authority.
1. Apostolic Parentage
God's order is for the Apostolic Fathers and Mothers to birth a new breed of Fivefold Ministries which will 'leave home' to establish the Church according to the new pattern that has been birthed into them.
2. Apostolic Teams
Those who have been birthed by spiritual parents will function as full apostolic teams, and will be sent forth as Jesus sent His apostles to go forth to the nations to continue the work He had begun.
Amongst such teams there will be those who hold more executive positions as Presbyters under the Apostolic Parents, just Peter, James and John held such positions within the team of 12 that Jesus set up.
3. Prophetic Counter Insurgence
Only by the use of Counter Insurgence Warfare (C.O.I.N.) can the works of darkness be undermined and overcome. This was lacking in the early church, and the enemy succeeded in destroying all the leaders before the work could grow to a point of being strong enough to survive all attack.
It has been proved that this warfare tactic is more effective than conventional war, and that is why the enemy has sought this form of warfare both against the church, and in the natural world. We must use Satan's own tactics against him in order to survive and overcome.
It is the role of the Prophetic Office both to birth and to protect the establishment of new works. The prophet must prepare the ground in the Spirit, and then continue to protect the new ministry by 'Patrolling the Walls' of the new church.
4. Accountability and Chain of Command
It is necessary that leadership authority always be delegated downwards, and that levels of authority and accountability are maintained for the protection of all, and the efficient functioning of the work of God.
God has never been the author of the Democracy that is so strongly touted by today's politicians. He has always functioned on a Theocracy, where He has the king, He as given His command, and expected a response from the people.
End Times apostles are thus usually depicted as Kings, and Jesus Himself is known as the King of Kings. Thus true apostolic structure involves the delegation downwards of authority and the subsequent accountability to one another in the Lord.
5. Clear Local Structure.
The local church is always the church in the community, and consists of the church in the place where the people live. This is most commonly seen in the form of home churches, or the gathering of small groups for fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.
The larger gathering is to be found in periodic times of fellowship amongst the home churches, larger conferences and conventions, and the merging together of the church in the local Ministry Center, at which activities will take place 24/7 and from which all local ministry is directed.
This began in the early church with the use of the Temple for public gatherings, and the local gatherings in the homes. Later on Ministry Centers were established in the larger regions.
The Apostolic Church: Integral Components
Apostolic Truth
Christ the Priest: Salvation, sanctification, worship
Christ the King : the kingdom & mobilization
Christ as Creator, Redeemer, Lord : Development, Redemption, Government
Apostolic Spirit
The Holy Spirit for a new life
The Holy Spirit for empowerment for service
The Holy Spirit for sanctification
Apostolic Structure
Apostolic (Headquarters): for Mission = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, Chief Elder (Pastor)
Presbyterian (Local Church): for Pastoral Care = Chief Elder (Pastor), Elders (Teaching & Non-Teaching)
Diaconal (Small Groups): to serve both = Deacons/Deaconesses/Bishops, Leaders, & Administration/Governments/Helps/Operations
Congregational: well ordered churches, and a mobilized corps of volunteers for all areas of life = Lay Ministers/Servants/Members (Volunteers--the Priesthood of every believer)
Each component of the suggested model is necessary in the apostolic Church. With each component working in cooperative union, the Church can ably take new territory and safeguard territory already taken. In other words, she can shape the future. May God grace us to cooperate with the Lord Jesus as He braids a cord of apostolic Truth, of apostolic Power, and of apostolic Structure. A threefold cord is not easily broken. Let us not make it difficult for the Lord to braid it in the first place. There is a future to shape.
The Apostolic Ministry Structure
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
There is a place for every believer to be fully activated in ministry in the apostolic structure of the church.
As you stand peering at a High Rise building under construction you can see that massive metal framework climbing into the blue skies above. Soon that towering skeleton will disappear from sight as it is covered by block, plaster, paint, windows and decorative stone. It’s not the decorum that gives strength to the building but the unseen framework.
APOSTOLIC DESIGN
A building is something assembled with various components that are held together by a framework. That framework is the supporting structure of the building. Just like a High Rise building has a framework that provides its strength, so too does the Church have a structure that provides its strength. We are going to call the churches framework the apostolic structure or design.
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
It is no coincidence that our Lord was born into a carpenter’s family and learned the skills and the trade of a carpenter. Since the natural is often a reflection of the spiritual we can learn some interesting truths. Jesus is a builder. In fact, Jesus is still building His Church. He said,
I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell [hades/ unseen/ grave] shall not prevail [be prevailing] against it (Matthew 16:18).
Since Jesus is the Master Builder and we are His workforce (disciples), we must learn how to cooperate with His construction ministry. There are many scriptures that teach us about the apostolic design and how we fit into it such as:
We are lively stones (components) of His Church.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
When fitly joined together we provide something that produces increase. All believers are lively stones set apart to build what Jesus is building.
“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 unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
FOUNDATION
Not only is Jesus the architect of His Church, He is the very foundation. He is the Chief Corner Stone by which every lively stone must be aligned. scripture says,
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens 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; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
CORNERSTONE
In the construction process, the purpose of a cornerstone is for a sure alignment. It would be dreadful to work on a High Rise building only to discover that it leans like the bell tower of the Cathedral in Pisa. Just like a cornerstone, every lively stone must be cut and chiseled into shape for proper alignment inside Jesus’ apostolic structure.
In the apostolic design, Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into the apostolic structure therefore requires believers to submit to the fitting and chiseling of these two ascension gift assistants.
APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT
Oftentimes, proper alignment to the cornerstone requires some cutting and chiseling in the lives of believers before the building process can begin. While the stones are lively they might not have a perfect alignment. Certain hindrances may need to be torn down, such as self-righteousness, pride, legalism, hypocrisy, doctrinal error, ignorance, and even rebellion. Sometimes even deliverance must take place. All are in preparation for entrance into His apostolic design.
When a building is structured properly the interrelated parts that are galvanized together provide an amazing strength to the entire building. The pattern of the apostolic is no different, when all the essential parts are in the right place there is strength. That strength readies the Church for the habitation of the Spirit of God. Therefore it is vitally important to see Jesus’ apostolic design and our part as lively components.
DESTRUCTION INSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Many English words define the definition of structure. Let’s look at three interesting English words destruction, instruction and construction. All three of these words will help us enter God’s apostolic design.
1. De- Structure (Destruction): Sometimes things have to be destructed before they can be constructed.
2. In-Structure (Instruction): Instruction must be received before one can be part of the construction.
3. Con- Structure (Construction): Construction is what every born again believer is called to be doing.
DESTRUCTION
Oftentimes, before we can enter the apostolic design of the local church, destruction is the first step in the construction process. Words associated with destruction are: demolish, dismantle, tear down and remove. During the destruction phase there is a dismantling of vain religious traditions or inadequate understanding of scripture. Some of the enemies of the apostolic structure that require destruction include:
Religion: Religion is an enemy of the apostolic because it is legalistic, self-righteous and hypocritical. Jesus, the builder of the church pronounced many woes against the religious spirit (Matthew 23). I wrote about this extensively in my book 30 Pieces of Silver.
My Ministry Syndrome: Those infected by the My-Ministry Syndrome only come to church to get something to advance their own ministries. This condition does not fit in the apostolic structure because it seeks to build its own ministry outside the local church. Jesus wants to use everybody in ministry but that ministry is never disconnected from the local church. Jesus, therefore, is building His Church with many members and not the lone ranger, Rambo’s ministry.
Bless-Me-Only: Many believers come to church only to be blessed. Yes, blessing takes place in an apostolic church, but it is only the beginning. After blessing comes equipping and training for the work of ministry. An apostolic design will refuse to let you slip into a consumerism or spectator mindset.
APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTION
After destruction is instruction. Words associated with instruction include: advise, counsel, coach, educate, explain, give lessons, guide, inform, school, teach, tutor and train.
As we receive apostolic instruction we become candidates to be placed inside the apostolic structure. This training enables us to become actively involved by equipping us for works of service. After you are trained you can become part of the construction process, the edifying (building) of the local church.
When instruction is not received, however, it diminishes the effectiveness and the strength of the apostolic design and makes it impossible to become fitly framed together. If an essential part is left vacant and unoccupied it is not supplying strength to the structure. Scripture says,
“How can two walk together unless they agree?” (Amos 3:3).
A lack of agreement disqualifies one from becoming an effective joint that supplies and places them outside the structure. For instruction to take place requires submission and a hungry heart. Scripture says,
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a Father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not My law. For I was my Father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of My mother. He taught Me also, and said unto Me, Let thine heart retain My Words: keep My commandments, and live” (Proverbs 4:1-4).
APOSTOLIC CONSTRUCTION
Now that we have progressed through the destruction and received instruction we can enter the realm of construction. Words associated with construction are: assemble, form, compose, engineer, fashion, fabricate, build up, frame, fit together, edify and strengthen.
When one has come into the apostolic structure of the local church their individual gifts and specific callings are activated. All our gifts and talents are given by God for the edifying of the local church with its mission to disciple believers and fulfill the Great Commission. Scripture confirms that all have a role to play in the success and building of the church,
“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 unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
The purpose for the apostolic framework is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. This structure of ministry is the apostolic design that you have learned throughout. The quickest way to enter the ministry is by submitting your gifts and talents to the leadership of your church and making yourself available for service.
Every believer that submits to instruction fits in the apostolic framework.
There is room in the house for every gift, talent, calling and grace. Envision your individual calling added to the success of our corporate calling as an apostolic church.
THE APOSTOLIC STRUCTURE
Apostolic structure consist of the following that we will discuss at another time.
1. The Set-man = Chief Apostle
2. The Presbytery (Elders/5 Fold Equipping) Team = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, & Pastors
3. In House Ministry Teams = Pastors, Teachers, Elders, & Deacons
4. Outreach Teams and Small Groups = Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, & Deacons
5. The Local Church Ministry Equipping Center = Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, & Chief Elder (Pastor)
In Conclusion:
The purpose of apostolic structure is to launch every believer into the work of ministry. Jesus has provided two assistants in the foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To come into apostolic structure believers submit to the cutting and the chiseling (discipleship) of apostles and prophets. In this process of maturing believers get aligned to Christ who is the cornerstone, for a sure alignment to Him. Are you ready to enter the apostolic structure?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene on
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I sat down and started to read this, and already found some deep error. I will list the following for clarity:
"1. A church need not have been planted by an apostle. It is often started as the result of the evangelistic efforts of believers who have a zeal for the lost. It may also be started by several believers gathering together for fellowship.
2. This is seen as an example in the Acts, where the original church at Antioch was started by believers who scattered due to the persecution and simple spread the Word as they went.
3. In the case of Antioch, the Church at Jerusalem was considered the spiritual headquarters of the Christian Church, and they sent someone to take charge of the work at Antioch. The man that they sent was Barnabas, who had a pastoral ministry, with a prophetic orientation. He was sent by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to take a role of overseer at Antioch.
4. Barnabas later took it upon himself to call in help for the work. A teaching ministry was sorely needed, so he went and found Paul, and brought him back to help in the work.
5. After a season the Church at Antioch was well established under the leadership of elders, and some of these elders also had moved into the Fivefold Ministry. All that was lacking was the existence of Apostles.
6. In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit spoke during a time when the members of the fivefold ministry were gathering to wait on the Lord. At that time the only fivefold ministries which were recognized were the Prophet and Teacher. Once Paul and Barnabas had been set apart as Apostles, there were now Apostles, Prophets and Teachers at Antioch.
7. Now Antioch began to stand as a Ministry Center in its own right, just like Jerusalem. And only now could it begin to function in true New Testament pattern. The full apostolic structure was now in place."
It is the Apostolic & Prophetic, not the Evangelistic, that establishes a Church and a believer. The foundation of the believers are built upon the Apostles and Prophets, with JESUS CHRIST Himself (being both Apostle and Prophet) being the Chief cornerstone. Nowhere in that statement does the Evangelistic take on the position of being foundational. For example: Philip the Evangelist went for preaching the Gospel at the city of Samaria and they believed and were baptized, but it was Apostles Peter and John who established them with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the true baptism that establishes believers and Churches. Simon the sorcerer believed also because of the Evangelistic anointing, but the Apostolic & Prophetic anointing within Peter discerned that he was not clean and not fit for the Kingdom (see Acts 11).
Paul and Barnabas were regarded as Apostles before their Antioch trip (Note: Acts 9 runs parallel with Galatians 2), therefore it was the apostolic anointing present in Antioch from the start, coinciding with Paul's teaching to the Corinthians (1st Corinthians 12).
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Permalink Reply by Ricardo 'ReAsOn' Butler on
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No disagreement here with you. But Paul did at times send Timothy (who was suppose to 'do the work of an EVANGELIST') as well as Titus to both "Set in order (an apostles job)" the churches and appoint Elders (Pastors). Why? Because Paul was locked up. It was an Evangelist, like Timothy, Titus, & Philip sent by the APOSTLES' authority to "dig up the dirt" then the apostles "planted the seeds" and someone like Apollos would "water the seed" but remember no matter the BIBLICAL ORDER (of dig, plant seed, and water) GOD is the ONLY ONE who gives the INCREASE! Some today call that an "Apostolic team" with two of any fivefold ministers lead by the authority of the apostle in Jesus' name.
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You miss something major about Timothy and Titus: they were APOSTLES!
2nd Corinthians 8:23 "Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ."
The word Messenger here is the Greek word "Apostolos", which you very well know is the word Apostle.
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You are late again friend. Who doesn't know that. But they held a lower office before they were promoted by Christ. They were evangelists FIRST! Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, Apollos, Junia (a FEMALE), Andronicus (Junia's husband), Epaphroditus, and TWO others (not named) were apostles. So don't forget about all these brothers and one sister. Oh yea, history records Thecla another FEMALE a student of Paul.
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"8. Now that Antioch was established as a Ministry Center, Paul and Barnabas were free to leave the work under the leadership of elders who could hold the fort, while they traveled out to different places to establish new churches. The actual work of traveling out or "doing the work of an evangelist" was not their apostolic function, but allowed them to carry out their apostolic function once each new church was established.
9. In establishing new churches, we see three distinct stages that were carried out as follows:
(1) Where no church existed, the Apostles preached the Gospel and founded new churches. This required an application of the Evangelistic Ministry.
(2) Once churches were formed, the Apostles appointed elders in each church. This opened the way for the Pastoral Ministry.
(3) To churches that showed promise Paul sent representatives to go and spend time at that location, or he went himself for a season to help establish the work. This resulted in several main ministry centers being formed at those locations."
Almost all of what you said here was correct except for one thing: you presented the Apostolic & Prophetic as ministries/anointing that stem from the evangelistic Mission, when it is the other way around. The "Great Commission" is not an Evangelistic work in nature, but an Apostolic/Prophetic work in original nature. The Evangelistic is a result of the two. You may understand and believe this, but you did not present this in your writings.
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Again no disagreement here either. Christ commanded them to "preach the Gospel"
The Greek definition of the word for Evangelists means "a preacher of the gospel, to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel:--declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)."
Remember Acts 8 after Paul started to persecute the church? Who actually did the preaching of the gospel? Let's read it.
"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they (THE REGULAR CHURCH MEMBERS) that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:1-4).
The WHOLE church EXCEPT the apostles! The Lord through the founding apostles and prophets empowered the WHOLE church to "preach the Gospel" or "evangelize the world."
Pastors don't have that kind of authority, neither does the evangelist himself. The word apostle means: 'a delegate, (specifically) an ambassador of the Gospel, (officially) a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers): apostle, messenger, he that is sent.'
Remember the all TRUE apostles rather back then or today were trained directly by the Lord. And they know like Paul said: "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27) and are stewards over the mystery of the kingdom of God (1 Cor 4:1-2). They KNOW how the kingdom is suppose to operate on earth. That means the apostle can operate in any of the 5 Fold gifts and may even hold 2 or three of the functions in the 5 fold calling.
Example:
Paul -- "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher (remember a preacher is basically an evangelist--one who preaches the Gospel), and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." (2 Tim. 1:11)
Peter -- We KNOW Peter was an apostle but did he hold any other office? Yup! "The elders which are among you I exhort, who [I Peter} am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed." (1 Pet 5:1)
And Jesus told Peter to "feed my sheep" What does the word "feed mean"? Literal give the church food?
Gk#4165 out of the Strong's Concordance defines "feed" as "To tend as a shepherd (or figuratively supervisor).Feed (cattle), rule."
So Peter was obviously a "Pastor, Elder, Apostle!"
As you said "The Evangelistic is a result of the two" is actually a result of authority passed on by the apostle himself. They over see the evangelistic results no matter who does it.
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Very true. However, there is something that is not true: the Apostle cannot walk in all 5 offices. I have had experience within all five offices, but I know who I am, and what I walk in officially (Apostle, Prophet, & Teacher). The LORD Himself, being perfect, embodies all five. However, no man other than Him is perfect, and therefore they are all limited in what they are called to do. Apostles often have experience within all five, but they aren't called to all five.
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I didn't say they walk in all 5, but they do have a working knowledge of all the offices. Or else they couldn't go around and put the others in the office when the Lord directed them.
Diverse Training
In this chapter, we are going to be looking at the apostolic preparation. For those of you who have been through the Prophet School the word 'preparation' probably strikes fear into your heart. You remember only too well what happened when you went through the lecture on the Prophetic Preparation, and those famous words "Die Already" became imprinted into you.
You have heard me say that the apostolic preparation is far more severe, and that the prophetic preparation was a walk in the park by comparison. So now we come to this famous apostolic preparation and your knees are probably shaking here as to what is going to come. You are probably saying, "I'm not sure whether I should read this. When I went through the prophetic I went through death immediately. What's going to happen when I tackle this one? I'm going to get vaporized!" Well, I have good news for you here. This is not a 'Die Already' message. The apostolic preparation is very different to the prophetic. The reason it is so intense is that firstly it includes the prophetic preparation, and what you learned in the prophetic preparation the apostle must go through as well. But the apostle goes through far more than that. It is the other part that I will be dealing with here.
The apostolic preparation needs to be strenuous because God is raising up the apostle to be the leader in the Body of Christ. The Apostolic Office is the highest leadership office, and the apostle needs to coordinate all other ministries together. In order to do this the apostle has to go through a training mechanism that enables him or her to function and to understand and interact with and coordinate all of the fivefold ministries. Now it does not necessarily mean that the apostle has to have all five ministries. It does mean though, that the apostle should have had sufficient exposure and experience concerning each of the ministries to be able to, at times, function in every one of them and to work with them, and to understand exactly how they work. So part of the apostolic preparation is to make the apostle aware of how each ministry works.
The apostle also needs to be able to relate to all different kinds of people. The apostle is never phased by temperamental differences. He should be able to relate to and to function in any of the four major temperaments. I am not going to discuss temperaments in detail here, because we have a study for that elsewhere. But I will mention them as we go through it. The apostle is not to be phased in any way by a person's social status and position. The apostle must be able to work with and function in the midst of people of all different social standings, backgrounds and experiences - every different kind of person. The apostle must be able to relate to every different kind of group and understand and work with them. Therefore the apostolic preparation is involved in bringing a person to exposure and experience in all of these realms. It is so as to bring this budding leader in the Body of Christ to a place where he or she can relate and function in every single area of the Body of Christ.
Understands All Ministries
I have shared elsewhere that the apostle is like an entrepreneur. He is like the owner of the company. He is like the highest authority in a business, but he is such a one as an employee who started on the bottom rung on the lowest level in the company and has worked their way through, up the ranks, and now has reached the top. Now, looking down from the top this managing director, this leader and owner of the company can look down through the company and can identify with every single person and every single employee. He can not only identify to the point of knowing what the person does and knowing how the person should function, but he should still be able to step into that person's shoes and do the job himself, if he needs to, because he has been there. That is how the apostle must be in the Body of Christ. The apostle must be able to step into the shoes of any single person in the Body of Christ, to be able to understand and fully identify exactly what that person is doing, what they are supposed to be doing, how they should function, how they should not function. Because if you cannot do this, then how can you coordinate them together? How can you bring the Body together and build the building of God, if you do not understand how each one works?
Let's go on and look at how God prepares His apostles. As I share here on these principles I am going to be transparent with you again as I was when I shared on the Prophetic Ministry. I am going to throw the curtain back a bit for you and I am going to speak about my own experiences in this. I am going to try and identify with you and give you an opportunity to identify with me in some of the experiences that I went through. It does not mean that I am setting myself up as a standard. I would just like to share with you how God took these principles and applied them in my life. And perhaps somewhere along the line you will be able to identify with me. Perhaps somewhere along as I am sharing you will be nodding your head and saying, "Oh yes, I remember that. Oh, so that's what's been happening! Now I know why."
You will be able to identify and understand what God is doing in your life as you see how He prepares His apostles. Perhaps He is working differently in your life, but the principles will remain the same. What He is going to do in you will be the exact same sort of things that He wrought in me, and on any other person that He is training and raising up to a position in the Body of Christ.
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"10. Churches existed at two levels. The highest level was the Ministry Center, which was usually located in a major city or region. Then there were the local churches that met in homes spread throughout the community. When Paul wrote to his churches, he wrote to the leaders of the Ministry Center, knowing that his letter would be distributed to every level.
11. For a list of churches that would have been considered Ministry Centers in the early church, you need simply look at the list of churches to which John wrote in the book of revelation. There were many smaller home churches under the authority of those main Ministry Centers.
12. The fivefold ministry always works from and returns to the local ministry center. So Paul and Barnabas as apostles worked from and were sent out from Antioch. However they returned there after completing their travels, since that was their home location. Prophets, Evangelists and Teachers all are sent forth from the Ministry Center and return there eventually."
All that you stated here is great, except that I do not agree that Antioch was Barnabas & Paul's "Apostolic HUB". I believed it to be Jerusalem, the "Mother Church". All Churches looked to Jerusalem as the lead Church until some decades past and Rome was then looked upon. Also, the Teacher does quite often remain at home to train new believers in the faith alongside the Bishops & Pastor/Elders.
Other than that, great job!
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Jerusalem is always symbolic for the mother church it is also symbolic for Mystery Babylon!
The next mention of the Church that Christ said He would build is found in Acts 2:46-47:
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord ADDED to the church DAILY [3000 in one day, Ver. 41] such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47).
PERSECUTION COMES QUICKLY
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:11).
Those are the words of Paul, and he should know, HE WAS THE CHURCH’S BIGGEST PERSECUTOR!
"And Saul [Paul] was consenting unto his [Stephen's] death. And at that time there was A GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH which was at Jerusalem, and they were ALL scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1).
And just who was behind this persecuting of the Church of God? Answer: The other Church of God that was also headquartered in Jerusalem!!!
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter [murder] against the disciples of the Lord [that would be Christ’s Church], went unto the HIGH PRIEST [of the OTHER Church of God, in the TEMPLE—remember back in Acts 2:46 where the Church of Christ was ‘continuing daily with one accord?’ Yes, that temple!]
And [Saul] desired of him LETTERS [letters of authorization from the highest level of God’s Church—the HIGH PRIEST] to Damascus…" (Acts 9:1-2).
Letters for the purpose of continuing his persecution and slaughter of Christ’s New Church. I told you it is not pretty picture.
As God’s Word says, the New Covenant is,
"NOT ACCORDING to the covenant that I made with their fathers…" (Heb. 8:9).
When will we believe God instead of the traditions of men? I hope that you will not just look at this chart, but look up every Scripture and read it for yourself.
If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are in the Church. But if you are in Christ Jesus, then you are no longer in the physical carnal church, but in God’s spiritual Church—the very Body of Christ. Let me assure you on the authority of all the Sacred Scriptures that carnal [enmity filled hatred] minded Christians are not members of the spiritual body of Christ. Jesus Christ is preparing a "bride"—a VIRGIN bride. Our Lord will not marry a whore or prostitute--MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT.
A TALE OF TWO JERUSALEM'S
"Him that overcomes will I [Jesus] make a pillar [a position of great spiritual responsibility] in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is NEW JERUSALEM…" (Rev. 3:12).
What is this "New Jerusalem?" It is a "Mother." Mothers are women who have given birth to children.
"Jesus answered and said unto him [Nicodemus], Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye [ALL OF YOU] must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master [teacher] of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We [the true servants of God from Abel to Jesus and all truly in Christ after Him] speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye [ALL OF YOU] receive not our witness. If I have told you EARTHLY [PHYSICAL] things [first], and ye [ALL OF YOU] believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of HEAVENLY [SPIRITUAL] things [truths or realities afterward]?" (John 3:3-12).
We have all been birthed by a physical woman—a mother. In order to be "born again," we must be birthed by a spiritual mother. And just who is that spiritual mother?
"For this Agar [Hagar the Egyptian] is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to [PHYSICAL, CARNAL, EARTHLY, TEMPORAL, MATERIAL, LITERAL, OLD] Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage [through the DEPTHS of Satan] with her children. But [Sarah the Hebrew is Mount Zion in Heaven and answers to] [SPIRITUAL, HEAVENLY, INVISIBLE, POWERFUL, ETERNAL, NEW] Jerusalem which is above is free, which is THE MOTHER OF US ALL" (Gal. 4:25-26).
Our spiritual mother is Jerusalem above. Don’t be deceived by the phrase, "…of us ALL," seeing that Paul himself puts a disclaimer at the end of chapter 6 showing specifically who the "all" includes here:
"For IN Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE [creation]. And as many as walk according to this rule [Gk: '(a straight reed, i.e. rod); a rule (“canon”), i.e. (figurative) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication a boundary, i.e. (figurative) a sphere (of activity):—line, rule'], peace be on them [the new spiritual creation], and mercy, and upon the [new spiritual] Israel of God" (Gal. 6:15-16).
And what is this "rule" that Paul is speaking of? Why those who are living by the spirit, and not the flesh and letter of the Law of Moses. Those who live by the "Law of the SPIRIT" which is what the New Covenant is all about.
"LOVE your enemies!" (Matthew 5:44)
"Love NOT the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1st John 2:15).
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!
"I am crucified WITH Christ!" (Galatians 2:20).
These are the spiritual laws of the New Covenant. They are far superior to the laws of Moses under the Old Covenant.
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"13. The only ministry that remains 'at home' is the Pastoral Office. The Pastor is an elder over a region and this can occur at various different levels. So there may be a Pastor of a home church, a Pastor of a local suburb, or a Pastor over a ministry center."
Again, the Teacher is also a Ministry that sits at home, for new believers are to be taught daily.
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The teaching ministry can be at home, but remember Paul was a teacher FIRST before he was an apostle. And he will always mention himself being a teacher before an apostle (1 Tim. 2:7 & 2 Tim. 1:1). And he traveled with Barnabas who was a prophet, before they both became apostles. Barnabas' name means "son of prophecy."
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