APOSTOLIC REVELATION

1. The Church is Changing

An honest comparison of Christianity as a whole today, with the same 100 years ago, reveals huge contrasts, and the change continues. We can trace the roots of much change to Christ Himself. From the time of the reformation onwards, God has worked with His people and brought significant adjustment to the doctrines and beliefs of the Church, and now to the heart and structure as well. Church reformation is still under-way, and seems to be increasing. The Church is changing from being institutional to being relational. The implications of this are profound. God is looking to move beyond an organizational structure for His people. As outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16, God is working to bring the Body of Christ to complete maturity. Here are some of the things that the Holy Spirit is working to bring to pass:

• Apostles will not only take their place again, but regain authority. This is not simply about restoring a position to the Body of Christ, but about the whole way the Church is structured, governed and works. This implies big shifts in the way everything occurs. The people of God will learn what apostles really are, about their grace, place, purpose and nature. Many preconceived notions will be changed in the process.
• The people of God are becoming apostolic in nature. The Nicene Creed describes the Church as “one holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic Church.” God’s people are going to see that being apostolic is not ‘just having apostles’, but is the nature of being His people. Jesus was apostolic, He was sent, and we too bear His image. The Spirit is preparing the wider Church for greater intimacy with Christ, greater love for each other, greater trust of leaders, greater willingness to serve, and more that we don’t conceive. We will become like the early church, but more than they were.
• God is raising a covering for His people, and it is apostles. This is a new concept for many, but it is through His anointed leaders that God wishes to cover and protect His people. The covering of Jesus (His actual robe) was seamless, and likewise God wants to raise leaders for the Church that are so united in love and purpose, that it presents a seamless covering for the Body of Christ. I’m sorry to say that the apostles are not there yet – those who have ignored me the most after reaching out to them are the ‘sent ones’. What we previously saw in terms of denominational or organisation ‘covering’ is going to be superseded. Something much bigger and better is on the way. Power is on the way.
• The Church will become one body be the unveiling of Christ at Rapture. This is not outward unity such as ecumenism, but something of the heart. It’s more than cooperation for a cause, but a true uniting of mind and feelings. It’s the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 where he asked God “.. that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me..’. The prayer of Jesus was for the kind of unity that Jesus and the Father had. We have yet to see such unity, but there can be no doubt that Jesus will have His prayer answered.
• We will see a New Testament eldership in each city. The early church didn’t have multiple sets of elders in each city, that is our modern construct as a result of denominationalism. As God’s people become one in heart and mind, it may not necessarily result in one congregation per city – there may still be many congregations – but it will result in one church per city. And one eldership. This eldership will not be elected men and women, but drawn from the existing senior leaders of God’s people in the church. We are talking about an eldership different to anything we have seen or experienced. In the New Testament, the apostles appointed elders such as this.
• We will see Father/Son relationships in the ministry. This is something akin to Jesus and the disciples, Paul and Timothy, Elijah and Elisha and also Moses and Joshua. As the nature of the Church becomes relational, so the ministry will become like the ministry of the early believers. It will reflect the model of Father and Son. Jesus (God) was a son to a Father, and God was also a Father to a son. This ultimately will not and should never be legalistic, but is a relationship of the heart. It is for true maturing of God’s people.

We still have no complete concept of the fullness of God’s plans. Still, it excites us that His hand is on the helm of the Church to guide. Jesus has saved the best wine for last… when no any other message is proclaimed in the Church but one, ‘the Kingdom of God’.

2. The Return of Apostles

It has been common teaching for many years that once the original apostles died out, that the apostolic age had ended. Along with this it is believed that there were no additional apostles, and moreover that we no longer need them since the completion of the canon of Scripture. Regardless of this, there are clear and significant scriptures which show us clearly that in fact Christ never stopped appointing apostles, and continues to do so now.

Everyone is familiar with Ephesians 4:11-13, “And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him”…AMP. In reading the whole of chapter 4 in context, it becomes clear that this passage is not in reference to the original apostles.

Whilst the apostles today are rightly considered a gift to the church, and their work, the canon of scripture is also a gift, these verses are talking of something else. It is in verse 8 that we most clearly see this. “Ephesians 4:7-8, “Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men”. Scripture here is not talking about the original men appointed during Jesus ministry, but about apostles appointed in His ascension… apostle and us. It refers to something He gave, and continues to give from His place of glory at the right hand of God. The same passage also says (in verse 13) that these gifts are given until… “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”. The maturity that this passage speaks of has not yet been realised. The message of the Kingdom of God has not been preached to the four corners of the earth. The gift of apostle is still needed. A search via concordance for the Greek word ‘apostolos’ reveals a number of other apostles named in scripture, not counting the 12. Paul, Barnabus and Timothy are but three of these.

How Are We To Receive The Apostles?

In the past, men of God possessed apostolic gifts, but because the Body of Christ did not accept or understand these gifts, they were not recognised as such. Today we are learning to recognise that these gifts are real, and beginning to see them in the Church. Some people, hearing the call of God to become apostles, are striving to live for Him as He calls and chooses them. Historically we could consider people such as John Wesley, William Kimani, David Juma and others to have had apostolic Gifting. For those accustomed to only talking about pastors, teachers or evangelists, accepting apostles and prophets can be quantum leap. The Bible only records one pastor by name, Christ, the Good Shepherd and only one evangelist by name Philip and yet many apostles and prophets. We begin by receiving these people (gifts given by Christ) with the acknowledgement that they exist – they have work to do. We accept them as people, and allow Christ to use them for the advancement of His kingdom. Write to me on this blog requesting for a free copy of my book the, ‘True Apostolic Covering’.

Why We Need Apostles

There is a huge and largely unrealised need for apostles. The Church is supposed to become one, to become like Christ and to reflect Him, and yet the Body of Christ seems to be unaware that this is essential. The Church cannot be how it needs to be without becoming relational, and that is an apostolic work. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:27-29, “Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]. So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues. Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles”?

The fact that God placed apostles in the Body, and placed them first, is hugely significant. Churches have a primary need for apostles and their ministry, and it cannot be understated. Apostles are to be fathers to the Church. As apostle Paul was a father to those under his care, and from this place he wrote, “I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children. After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me”… 1 Corinthians 4:14-16.

The need for fathering is very prominent and is clearly felt, especially by pastors and leaders who are generally sent out ‘as lambs among wolves’. Apostles provide more than just accountability and covering, but heart relationship, apostolic covering and care. Various statistics abound regarding pastors leaving the ministry and experiencing burnout. You can be sure that when pastors find true fathers that this will dramatically reduce. Apostles carry genuine authority from Christ. They have been given the right and the responsibility to put things in order. We see examples of this in the New Testament where Paul, James and others are able to work for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ because of their authority. Paul in particular expresses a clear gentleness in doing so, and a genuine apostle will also exhibit true gentleness.

Examples of this authority and the giving of this authority are found in 2 Corinthians 2:8; 13:10, “So I write these things while I am absent from you, that when I come to you, I may not have to deal sharply in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be employed, however] for building [you] up and not for tearing [you] down” and also Mark 3:15. While the Church has no apostles and continues in an institutional or organisational framework, there is no real authority. Authority then remains vested in committees, constitutions and legal documents. Yet the restoration of apostles brings with it authority and brings with it a great fresh vitality. The Body of Christ will become mobile, responsive and alert. They will be more prayerful and more powerful once in connection with apostles. And because of the covering, this last Church will thrive unhindered by ‘jezebel’.

Other Reasons Apostles are Needed:

• Appointing Elders in Churches - Citywide Elderships)…1 Timothy 5:17-20, Titus 1:5-6, “For this reason I left you [behind] in Crete, that you might set right what was defective and finish what was left undone, and that you might appoint elders and set them over the churches (assemblies) in every city as I directed you. [These elders should be] men who are of unquestionable integrity and are irreproachable, the husband of [but] one wife, whose children are [well trained and are] believers, not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct or unruly and disorderly” and Acts 14:23, “And when they had appointed and ordained elders for them in each church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in Whom they had come to believe [being full of joyful trust that He is the Christ, the Messiah].
• A Government in the Church – Apostle Paul articulated it very well, 2 Corinthians 13:10, “So I write these things while I am absent from you, that when I come to you, I may not have to deal sharply in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be employed, however] for building [you] up and not for tearing [you] down”. Philemon 8-9, “Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do, Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you just for what I am–I, Paul, an ambassador [of Christ Jesus] and an old man and now a prisoner for His sake also”. 2 Corinthians 10:8, “For even though I boast rather freely about our power and authority, which the Lord gave for your upbuilding and not for demolishing you, yet I shall not be put to shame [for exceeding the truth]”.
• Provides Spiritual Covering. This point is detailed well in my book, the ‘True Apostolic Covering’. Get a free copy today.
• To Equip Believers To Serve. Apostle Paul says, “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church)”… Ephesians 4:12.
• To Build Up the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)
• To Bring the Body of Christ to Maturity. (Ephesians 4:13).
• To Bring Believers to Unity (Ephesians 4:13)
• Teaching and Instructing. “And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers)… Acts 2:42-43.

Paul did much in way of example to us of what apostles do - he was needed. Imagine the early church without the apostles, and then imagine the current day church now having them.

3. Who are Some Modern Day Apostles?

Many people in reading their Bibles look through religious eyes, and this can sometimes taint the ability to see clearly. The Pharisees knew their Scriptures well but didn’t recognise the Messiah when He came. Over the years, people have had such a religious image of who the new testament apostles were, that they might struggle to recognise an apostle when he comes or ministers today. First and foremost, Jesus brought to us a government according to Prophet Isaiah’s predictions… Isaiah 9:6, 7, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 25:1; 40:9-11; Matthew 28:18; Luke 2:11]. Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. [Daniel 2:44; I Corinthians 15:25-28; Hebrews 1:8.]. Religion cannot be established.

To gain a clearer perspective, consider what scripture says about the apostles then:

• They were committed followers of Christ, but they sometimes struggled to pray even in important times. (Garden of Gethsemane)

• They loved Jesus and gave their whole lives, but they also fled and ran away at Calvary to save their own lives.

• They fought and argued a lot between themselves, but they also learned how to love and taught others to love.

• They had great faith at times, but at other times Jesus rebuked them for little faith.

• Peter chopped off someone’s ear with a sword, and denied Christ, but was also filled with the Holy Spirit and was prominent on the Day of Pentecost. He had great courage.

• They were forgiven much and forgave much.

They were human, but they had grace and a calling from God to be great in the Kingdom by serving. If you are looking for a spiritual super-man hero-apostle, you will probably not recognise him. If however you are looking for a down to earth person, called of God, carrying apostolic grace, devoted to service and obedience though at times making mistakes, but learning and following God wholeheartedly, then you may have found an apostle. Apostles do work miracles and see prayers wonderfully answered, but often times they also just work hard, as best they know how with God’s grace, to do what they believe God is saying to do.