What is an Apostle?

[Apostle Randy E.]

Some Blessings for our friends.

APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

(WHAT IS AN APOSTLE?)

1. First and foremost. Who ordained the office and officer of an Apostle?
2. Is this officer only a New Testament servant of God or Old Testament as well?
3. What are the duties of an Apostle?
4. Were there or is there only the original Twelve that Christ Yeshua chose in His Earthly ministry?
5. Are there any true female Apostles known in the Bible?
6. Is an Apostle greater than any other minister?
7. How can one recognize the gift of the Apostle to the body of Christ Yeshua?

According to the New Testament we read:

1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

This more excellent way found in verse 31, is none other than LOVE (Agape) found in Chapter Thirteen.

The key to understanding the need for the gift and office of the Apostle is found in God’s Love for His creation. It was He who ordained the office and officer of an Apostle.

As we have read above, we see in verse 28, it is God who set “in the Church”.

You can see; this was the plan from the beginning.

Apostles were understood in the time of Yeshua as we read:

Luk 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luk 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Luk 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luk 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
Luk 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Yeshua also said; Fishers of men to those who became disciples and in time Apostles:

Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men

Most of us would just read right on through without any thought to what we just read.

You see, when Jesus (Yeshua) said this, He was pointing back to His TORAH; known by those who were TORAH observant.

The word fishers of men, to one who is TORAH observant would understand what Yeshua was saying to them. Fishers of men, draw men to TRUTH.

This is seen in the very actions of Yeshua, the Chief Apostle (Heb.3:1), as well as His disciples/apostles.

Please note, they were all disciples first.

This would imply they sat under leadership and instruction.

For one to become a leader, one would have to recognize the need to submit to authority.

No man/woman is an isle unto himself; that is, if he/she is a servant, called, chosen, anointed, and appointed by God.

Many have went few have been sent. Many have had conferred on them the office, yet, God has not ordained these self serving self centered self or man appointed officers (Gal.1:1) to His service of the Body of Yeshua.

The call (Gen. 15-25); on Abram that caused a name change after his obedience to leave and follow God.

Just like the 12 disciples who received a new name, Apostles. Abram became Abraham, the Father of many nations for the purpose of fulfillment of God’s will in that man’s time of existence.

We all can see, this Abraham was an Apostle by the very deeds and manifestations in his life and those who chose to follow him in obedience.

Moses is another Apostle (Exod. 2-40); for it is seen even in his name. Moses; which means to be drawn out; which he was. His name also means to, draw out, in which he did by leading the Hebrew people out of Egypt.

Further, let us now look at the work of an Apostle:

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Please notice:

In verse 11 we read about how God gave some Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers. In early Bible renderings, we find the word some used for Teachers as well. This is very important for the fact; that these are known now as the Five-Fold Ministry. Just like the hand has, four fingers and one thumb. God ordain order to His Body of Believers.

We as the Church strayed from His pattern and now must return to it to perform His mighty works in these last of days for the True Church.

The work of the Apostle and the other Four is:

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 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.

As we read earlier, the Apostle and all of the other Four are to manifest the True Love of God by our demonstration of His will for each one of us to perform.

The problem we now see is; Too many who do not accept God’s Word as Truth and chose to walk in a Greco-Roman mentality will find themselves fighting against God the Father, Yeshua the Son, and the Holy Spirit Who is the promise that was to come, fill and perform God’s manifestations. Manifestations such as, Greater works shall you do (John 14:12) when the Holy Spirit comes.

Have you ever wondered why, we don’t see more regular manifestations of God’s Great power in the Church?

Well, now you know! To know the Truth (John 8:32), one can be found free indeed.

For those who state, there is no need for the Apostle Today:

Hosea said it best (Hosea 4:6), do you see the lack of True power and manifestations of God’s word in the Church today?

One might ask, WHY? Because of the hardened heart and untruths that have become traditions of men rather than Truths of God’s word.

If the Apostles were to pass away, as some believe, why would God now reveal the Apostle in the Old Testament today?

The past speaks to our future, for what God used as pictures of things to come, are now recognized as His bringing the past into our presence.

This thought is truly debunked by what we learned about the 11 who chose to cast lots for the new Twelfth (Acts 1:25, 26) Apostle.

Where did they go wrong? It is clear, in the same chapter noted above we find the answer (Acts 1:4) the instruction was clear, “wait” was the operative word here.

We find, action took place rather than obedience. God’s Word is again, clear, I Samuel 15:22, speaks volumes of Truth.

Too many times, we find ourselves doing something while God told us to wait. In our doing, we find ourselves in disobedience now affecting all who follow our leading, such as we see with Peter, good intentions, however, not God’s plan.

This now brings us to recognize Truth.

God had a plan to manifest Himself to one who was TORAH observant, yet, lead astray from the Truth of the TORAH by the traditions of men.

He that is, Paul; who was known as Saul before his conversion to Truth in Yeshua, which was the promised one to come in the TORAH became the now know Twelfth Apostle.

If Paul could have a close encounter of a real kind with Yeshua, why can’t we, who have submitted to the Master’s will and way be utilized for the service to God’s heritage and Kingdom?

All through the New Testament we find other Apostles, many which are hidden, one must go to the original text to find these men and women.

You might have noticed, I have placed hints to the Truth about the next question.

What about women as Apostles:

At this point, I will ask you to now (II Tim. 2:15), show yourselves approved unto God, not man, to answer this question yourselves.

Let go of your adherence to mans traditions and fears, let go and let God speak into your own heart and mind.

It is all there, and you don’t have far to go to find the TRUTH. I have left clues for you to help you. Go back and read this again, and you will find the keys to Truth.

Is there one who is the greatest or greater than another in the Five-Fold Ministry:

This is truly man made. Only man (men and women) can set or see themselves greater than another.

God’s Word says (Acts 10:34), and if this is True, once again, we find another key to wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

The book of Proverbs reveals so many secrets and hidden truths.

To answer this question best, I must confess, the one who is greatest will be known by his/her obedience to walking in the calling God ordain for them to walk. Not trying to be something God did not call them to be.

Too many people want to be something their not called to be, so that others can praise them, and they might be seen as something other than what God designed them to be…

How about, you and I recognize this Truth (I Peter 5:6).

To recognize an Apostle:

First, Apostles are those who have been and are going through the fire of perfection.

You see, gold must experience fire and pressure much like a diamond. All Apostles suffer greatly in many different ways.

I am not trying to say the other four don’t go through sufferings as well, however, when you study the Apostles, you will recognize the trying of their faith at every angle.

Where much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

You can notice one thing about an Apostle over most others, and that is, they are very patient and loving, for the office comes with a great price. When you see these self serving, self centered type, it is all about the me issue.

Let me address some things many may not know or understand. There are different types of Apostles as well.

1, Local
2. Regional
3. National
4. International

Once again, when you study the Bible you will be able to see this very clear through the different callings on the different Apostles lives.

Once again, we must be True to the calling God has designed for each of us. Remember, it is not about us, it is all about HIS will and Purpose for our lives.

Once again, remembering, we only live once to serve in this daily walk. How we live our lives out for our Saviour has ever lasting consequences.

Serve Him TODAY

Your servant in Christ Yeshua

Apostle Randy E.