Q: What is an Apostle?

A: In the most basic definition an apostle is a "sent one." His office and grace is also defined as "out from with a commission to, with credentials furnished."

So an apostle is sent from God out of a local church by spiritual authority (Acts 13:1-4), on a commission (to a territory-people with a message), with credentials furnished (Note: the credentials furnished will not necessarily be legal papers from men but the anointing and grace from God on his life). In other words, once you understand the grace and anointing of an apostle and you see him functioning in his office of ministry, it will be evident to all that that is what he is. Example: You may have credentials and legal papers proving you are a married man but how you live and function in your role as a husband should be evident or they should tell others that you are a married man.

As you read in Ephesians 4:7-16 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 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: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; 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.

And also in I Corinthians 12: 27-28, Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church first apostles, secondarily prophets, and thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

One of the most important things we must remember is that we need all of the ministry gifts operating within the local church in order to reach maturity. Each gift (apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist and pastor) is needed and has a unique purpose. They are not optional. God gave them to us because we need them all.

Apostles are unique in this aspect - it could be argued, quite convincingly, that the church has always had apostles but they have not been recognized as such. I believe this to be true however, that once the apostle receives the recognition and acceptance (that is what he is and the church will allow him to flow in his anointing and grace) the church will then be prepared to move to a higher level of maturity and equipping. This is what is happening in our day! There is no substitute for the apostle. The prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher cannot do what the apostle can do. Neither can the apostle do what the other ministry gifts can do. We need them all!

Apostles are one of the three governing gifts listed in (I Corinthians 12: 27-28) and they are listed first because they are first. They go first, say it first, etc. - not because they are more important than other gifts, its just that their grace is more effective when it comes to governing, ruling and setting things in order.

Apostles are defendants of the faith. They defend truth. They defend the church from outside attacks and infiltration by the enemy Philippians 1:17 "...knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel..." Apostles have a zeal and a passion to guard truth, and there is an apostolic anger that will come forth when the truth is attacked. True apostolic ministry will not budge when it comes to the truth. This office of ministry is very much needed in the American church today!

An apostolic church is a church that is governed and fed by an apostle. Apostles desire to see maturity and growth. They are very confrontational. They will bring you face to face with yourself and issues in your life. It doesn't matter what they minister on, they will challenge and place a demand on you to grow. They will push the envelope of your life and deal with belief systems because they are foundational.

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