What Is The Apostle?
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
1Corinthians 4:9-16 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
References – Romans 1:1; Romans 11:13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1-19; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 12:12-15;Galatians 1:1;Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1
As I begin this writing, let me say that I am impressed of the Lord, by the Holy Ghost, to present this before you, as an apostle of the Lord unto the inner city. Yes, the inner city! Not an attractive place but, none the less the place where Jesus called me to preach.
The Lord placed me in ministry thirty-six (36) years ago, saved out of the bondage of religion. I was spending much time in study to become a modern day “Pharisee”, stopped, by the Lord, in my tracks, prevented from fulfilling my own agenda. It was the Lord Jesus that turned me in another direction and caused me to answer His call and be what He has called me to be.
With this introduction in mind, I must address the danger that has entered the Body of Christ concerning the work and ministry of the Apostle. We are seeing an increase in people identifying themselves as “Apostles” and please understand me, I appreciate the restoration of the Five Fold Ministry, it is truly necessary for the full power of development of the Body of Christ. But the attitudes that I have seen from some of those that call themselves “apostles”.
As you read the Scriptures and references above, you see a far different attitude in Paul and Peter than you do from some in the Church today. Today we see an opinion that the apostle is some sort of king, able to throw power around and even call sickness, disease and curses upon people, simply because they don’t “honor the apostle”. I have even seen a video where an “apostle” stops another preacher from preaching so that he can “rebuke” some people which with he has had a disagreement. I don’t see this kind of activity in the Word and, isn’t that the “playbook” of this life?
In 1 Corinthians 4:9-16, the Apostle Paul tells us how he feels about the ministry of the apostle. It sounds like he is giving a true description of the work that the Lord called him to and the realities of that work. He does not talk about the many people that “drive his chariot for him”, “carry his scrolls of Scripture”, “handle his travel reservations”, “purchase his expensive wardrobe” or any of the things that seem to be important to many of the “Body” today. His comments are the comments of one who has, because of the grace of the Lord Jesus, given his life to be a “love slave” of Jesus. Pouring himself, emptying himself into the lives of other people. Some people appreciated it, some did not but, he did NOT curse the ones who did not appreciate.
The thing that I do not see is the Apostle making comments on the political status and attempting to become friends with celebrities and political figures, getting invites to hobnob with the rich and famous. The apostles are not looking to be invited by those in places of worldly influence and when they are in the company of the world’s “high and mighty” they are telling them what the Lord has said and suffering the consequences of telling the unadulterated truth.
The apostle has such a more important work to do than to care for the apostle himself. There is a need to “re-establish”, if you will, the Church that Jesus started. The reason that the Lord gave the Five-Fold Ministry is outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16. The world is waiting to see the people of the Lord do what the Lord does (not did, past tense). We are to BE accomplishing the will of the Lord in the earth (1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as HE is so are we in this world.)
The work and ministry of the Apostle, who is an Apostle by Jesus Christ, as the Lord has the apostles identify themselves in the Word (see references), is to see the people of God established in the place that the Lord has for them. It is important that we are willing to be spent, to be poured out, to give ourselves to the Lord to be used of Him, yes, and sometimes used by people. Yes, I said used by people! Jesus was used by people, tortured by people and crucified by people. Yet He never called down fire, as a matter of fact, Jesus told a couple of His disciples that, when they wanted to rain fire upon some folks, they did not know what spirit they were of. Do we know what spirit we are of?
As apostles, we are to know our area of responsibility and do what we are to accomplish, as the Lord directs. Read the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul, understand his ministry and exploits. Read Foxes Book of Martyrs, examine the lives of the other apostles, see the things that they endured to minister the Gospel. Then, after we have examined what the Lord did through our examples, ask the Lord what MY place is and how am I to function in this precious work that you, Oh Lord have called me to accomplish.
Only by following the Lord’s example and the record left by those who have walked before us will we be able to complete the assignment that we have been given. Arrogance, calling down curses, expecting to be served, instead of being servants, these are the things that destroy our relationship with the one who has called us and destroys our credibility before those whom we are called to minister.
We have seen enough flesh. WE NEED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WALK IN THE SPIRIT!
1Corinthians 4:9-16 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
References – Romans 1:1; Romans 11:13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1-19; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 12:12-15;Galatians 1:1;Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1
As I begin this writing, let me say that I am impressed of the Lord, by the Holy Ghost, to present this before you, as an apostle of the Lord unto the inner city. Yes, the inner city! Not an attractive place but, none the less the place where Jesus called me to preach.
The Lord placed me in ministry thirty-six (36) years ago, saved out of the bondage of religion. I was spending much time in study to become a modern day “Pharisee”, stopped, by the Lord, in my tracks, prevented from fulfilling my own agenda. It was the Lord Jesus that turned me in another direction and caused me to answer His call and be what He has called me to be.
With this introduction in mind, I must address the danger that has entered the Body of Christ concerning the work and ministry of the Apostle. We are seeing an increase in people identifying themselves as “Apostles” and please understand me, I appreciate the restoration of the Five Fold Ministry, it is truly necessary for the full power of development of the Body of Christ. But the attitudes that I have seen from some of those that call themselves “apostles”.
As you read the Scriptures and references above, you see a far different attitude in Paul and Peter than you do from some in the Church today. Today we see an opinion that the apostle is some sort of king, able to throw power around and even call sickness, disease and curses upon people, simply because they don’t “honor the apostle”. I have even seen a video where an “apostle” stops another preacher from preaching so that he can “rebuke” some people which with he has had a disagreement. I don’t see this kind of activity in the Word and, isn’t that the “playbook” of this life?
In 1 Corinthians 4:9-16, the Apostle Paul tells us how he feels about the ministry of the apostle. It sounds like he is giving a true description of the work that the Lord called him to and the realities of that work. He does not talk about the many people that “drive his chariot for him”, “carry his scrolls of Scripture”, “handle his travel reservations”, “purchase his expensive wardrobe” or any of the things that seem to be important to many of the “Body” today. His comments are the comments of one who has, because of the grace of the Lord Jesus, given his life to be a “love slave” of Jesus. Pouring himself, emptying himself into the lives of other people. Some people appreciated it, some did not but, he did NOT curse the ones who did not appreciate.
The thing that I do not see is the Apostle making comments on the political status and attempting to become friends with celebrities and political figures, getting invites to hobnob with the rich and famous. The apostles are not looking to be invited by those in places of worldly influence and when they are in the company of the world’s “high and mighty” they are telling them what the Lord has said and suffering the consequences of telling the unadulterated truth.
The apostle has such a more important work to do than to care for the apostle himself. There is a need to “re-establish”, if you will, the Church that Jesus started. The reason that the Lord gave the Five-Fold Ministry is outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16. The world is waiting to see the people of the Lord do what the Lord does (not did, past tense). We are to BE accomplishing the will of the Lord in the earth (1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as HE is so are we in this world.)
The work and ministry of the Apostle, who is an Apostle by Jesus Christ, as the Lord has the apostles identify themselves in the Word (see references), is to see the people of God established in the place that the Lord has for them. It is important that we are willing to be spent, to be poured out, to give ourselves to the Lord to be used of Him, yes, and sometimes used by people. Yes, I said used by people! Jesus was used by people, tortured by people and crucified by people. Yet He never called down fire, as a matter of fact, Jesus told a couple of His disciples that, when they wanted to rain fire upon some folks, they did not know what spirit they were of. Do we know what spirit we are of?
As apostles, we are to know our area of responsibility and do what we are to accomplish, as the Lord directs. Read the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul, understand his ministry and exploits. Read Foxes Book of Martyrs, examine the lives of the other apostles, see the things that they endured to minister the Gospel. Then, after we have examined what the Lord did through our examples, ask the Lord what MY place is and how am I to function in this precious work that you, Oh Lord have called me to accomplish.
Only by following the Lord’s example and the record left by those who have walked before us will we be able to complete the assignment that we have been given. Arrogance, calling down curses, expecting to be served, instead of being servants, these are the things that destroy our relationship with the one who has called us and destroys our credibility before those whom we are called to minister.
We have seen enough flesh. WE NEED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WALK IN THE SPIRIT!
Comment
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Comment by Apostle Sherman D. Farmer on February 18, 2010 at 3:54pm
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Apostle,
Well said...and the sign of a true apostle; prophet; etc., is to combat those who are false in such giftings. I commend you for your courage in the Holy Ghost.
Agape,
Apostle Farmer
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Comment by Micah RaSun-Vann on August 28, 2009 at 7:04pm
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Amen and Amen to all you've said. I might add that Apostle Jerry Howard did a great teaching on the role of the Apostle. Please listen to this recorded message on schooloftheprophets.ning.com playback line.
The teaching outlines the practical role and responsibilities of an apostle as well as how the correct functioning in that office promotes healthy relationships with the remaining five fold ministry gifts not alienation and subjugation as we see in so many churches today.
Indeed I say and say again the further we drift away from the gospel the less sensitive we become to how we are progressively distorting and interpreting scripture that is literal into scripture that is relative and subject to interpretation. The role of the Biblical Apostle is clear and if one carries the title apostle the weight of that title should be evident to the Body of Christ.
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