The core privilege of apostolic ministry:
1. Primacy in leadership. Where leaders are Spirit led and directed and where there is no room for politics and humanistic agendas, there is no difficulty in according confirmed Apostles with the primacy ordained in the bible. In all places where the fivefold is mentioned, Apostles are always listed first. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, this primacy is expressly stated.
True apostles however will not strive with any one over seating arrangements, protocol or contention over who will chair a meeting! Humility is required from apostles and if anyone gets high minded about this, God is able to permit the messenger of Satan to smite, dealing with the body so that the soul is saved. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10.
The Apostle of Jesus Christ: Digging Deeper
Of the things we shared so far, here is the sum: the one called to be an apostle is called to be a personal representative of Jesus Christ, very God and very Man.
He who was the Son of God, Son of Man and Seed of the Woman will, in every generation until He returns to set up and physically rule in the future phase of the Kingdom of God, raise witnesses to His unique life, death on the Cross to atone for the sins of the whole world, declare forgiveness of sins in His name and minister all the benefits deriving from redemption! They will proclaim, without reservation, that He will soon return to rule and reign in the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
For that reason, apostles of Jesus will be unusual people who are not afraid to be politically incorrect. They know that their calling will occasion stepping on toes of brethren who want to be at ease in Zion. They know intuitively that their greatest challenge will not come from outside but those who have chosen to backslide or those who have embraced another gospel. The depth of the revelation of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom they have received will impel them to proclaim the truth with passion and expose the shenanigans of those who seek to lead the Church astray. Galatians 1: 6-10
The Lord will use apostles to draw His plumb line from time to time and what they see will lead them to make bold proclamations calling the Church back to true fidelity to her Lord. In these issues, they share an uncanny similarity of disposition with Prophets who walk and work closely with them.
They yearn to see all saints walking in the fullness of light and are fairly lonely people who can be misunderstood by saints who see themselves as called to 'enjoy' this present life. True apostles will therefore heed the words of our Lord and his early apostles not to love this world and its attractions!
They will know intuitively that they are ambassadors of Christ to witness to and against this world system about the coming King who alone can bring the peace, joy and prosperity people yearn for. John 17: 1- 21; 1 Corinthians 6:14 - 18; 1 John 2: 15 - 17
...to be continued. Full teaching note is published by the Global School of Ministry as 'doc' on various fb groups!
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