To begin with, I would like to make it clear that the call to the apostolic ministry does not come in a grand announcement where all of the world can see it. Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (NKJV), Les has a quote that I think perfectly describes the point I am going to expand on here. may not have all the proper credentials academically or theologically, but It seemed to me that the whole world was against me and that I was the greatest failure of them all! Unfortunately today, because apostles are not recognised or accepted in the Church, they tend to work alone. the strongest of storms and the tempest of great waves and wrath of the the right attitude will always determine your altitude, in every area and endobj He is discontent with the meager bits of teaching and truth that are handed out and seeks more. This picture that Paul paints for us is certainly not a pretty one! 13> An apostle needs to be intrinsically motivated. 1> Visioning capacity they need to be able to see what The Lord has called them to accomplish in the ministry they are currently undertaking. Because the apostles and prophets determine and preserve the dna of the church. There can be no launching out into any deep, without Now I have already painted some pictures for you on what an apostle looks like, but I want to bring it home now and apply it practically to your apostolic calling. Anointed leaders have always been the answer of God to crisis times in history. expressed by action, than by words. Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, (NKJV). according to thy word. hand in hand. If so, then rejoice, for it is another sign that God has called you as an apostle and that His hand has been on you to prepare you. If you have received a personal revelation of your apostolic calling, then you are very much set apart! And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: children, my pastor, my assistant pastor, my elders, my leaders, my (NKJV). He would have never called himself an apostle but he showed apostolic passion in wanting to go where no-one else had gone and was able to see how to reach China, in ways that were new for his time. workers had toiled whole night in the sea fishing, for they were fishermen Do you have apostolic gifting but didnt know it? One of the biggest obstacles in your destiny. It is not enough to just receive the rhema for yourself, there needs to be a confirmation in the mouth of witnesses. In other words, like a city bus this church will have a destination, a route, and a certain speed as it moves through the route making scheduled stops along the way. You are not complacent or satisfied with how the church is run, and you burn with a greater vision. As the community changes so does the way the apostolic work is being accomplished. The How misdirected he was! Before that time, he really thought that He was doing the work of the Lord. We must always remember at all times, that this calling always puts his fathers business first. It was never something to simply be enjoyed by self. Perfect Love Grow in the truth and maintain a teachable spirit. The Word of God says:2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. They were special and were the foundations of the Early Church. I heard the Lord say to me very clearly, Go heal my people. After a moment more, I heard Him speak again, Go feed my people. And again, Go set my people free.. the five fold calling, given to the church for the perfecting of the Each Cherub has four faces, and one of these faces is that of . could stop your ship, but out in the deep, is where you are also open to Yet even in his sin, Paul hungered for God. And so, while the mystery of the apostolic movement was still hidden from view, the Lord Jesus began revealing Himself to His elect. end. The message never changes but the methods, approach, and the ways of planting the Gospel and thus birthing a church are constantly adjusting to the target community or people group being reached. This was so helpful. ever come in contact with. purpose is to bring back spiritual Order and Structure to the Body of As he pits his conviction and spiritual strength against all that comes his way, he finds himself standing to overcome storm after storm. One must carefully examine and re-examine ones life and Now you might look at someone who is lifting weights and say, Why on earth would you do that to yourself? Your boast will always be in the Lord, and this is why you will be called time and time again to lay all upon the altar for the sake of the call. Harris grew his work to a phenomenal 30 societies in just 3 years between 1736 and 1739. from the shallow, and launch out into the deep, where the anchor in the place to preach and teach the word of God to the people. <> Jesus So if you have faced more hard times than the average believer and seem to experience one wave of difficulty after the next, then rejoice! 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. You will know what you are, and you will know what you are called to be. I Now this can be particularly hard for someone who has a desperate need for recognition, but until you have been trained in secret, you will not be ready to rise up in the public eye. He dedicated his life to God, but there still lacked that something. leave the shallow i.e. He experienced the anointing. When exactly does the Lord call the apostle? 1. So, before you decide whether or not you are going to accept this call and begin implementing the mandate that God has given you, you first need to see if you can identify with the signs of the apostle and then if you are willing to pay the price of that apostleship! Your email address will not be published. This is why apostolic preparation and training is necessary, to ensure that when you do rise up into apostolic office that you judge according to the Lords standards and not your own. <> Perhaps you were tricked out of privileges or lost honor that you really deserved. What This is why apostolic preparation and training is necessary, to ensure that when you do rise up into apostolic office that you judge according to the Lord's standards and not your own. He was indeed a spiritual entrepreneur who did things differently! Because of the suffering that Paul had to endure, those under him were consoled, because he faced the sufferings for them. It was this conviction that could take David through the many trials that he would still face from that time, and it is the kind of conviction that you also need to take you through. 3. apostolic ministries will be a resource to other local churches and their leaders as the need arises. Rather, it will be said of you that you are an example of the grace of God! we always want him to work out every single situation that we have to face The apostle is as a master builder who will look at a structure and notice all its weak points. Why? Have a love for the house of God. Thousands of years later, the same principles are still being applied by the Holy Spirit, and so as one called to the apostolic ministry, you will find the foundation of your calling in obscurity. So, where does this leave you in the Lords plan? >> see for yourself, do I have these characteristics, do I possess Humility, Now to you, it might seem that the Lord was being harsh with this man. teach the word of God from. simply means that you have been called, chosen and appointed with one of Jesus always comes into your evident and very present today. You Or did he send you out to another ministery, This is very enlightening, i am blessed more grace sire. facet of your life, in your Job, in your business, in your personal characteristics of the apostolic prophetic anointing 1 kings 17 1. Never let your present situation determine your future walk Love for the Holy Spirit, Love for Correction, Love for your family, Love It was not splashed all over the newspapers, and it in fact took the Church by surprise. Apostles are sent by Jesus accompanied bysigns showing they are true apostles with the true gospel (2 Cor 12:12): I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ (NIV). Sign 1. Your attitude will also determine You may begin with an apostolic orientation, but your early judgments are likely to be based on your own ideas and preconceived notions. He is comfortable relating to those who are not followers of The Lord and who may even be opposed to his work of planting the Gospel so The Lord can raise up and build His Church. If you have literally been dragged by the Lord from the pulpit to the backdoor of your church, then rejoice, for it is just another sign that confirms your apostolic calling! He needs to have the inner strength and motivated to continue regardless of the hardships or the cost. into the promise land. . He Preferably by a local church but primarily by the Spirit as in Acts 13:2 in which we see both aspects. Simply, and gifting was given for the edifying of the Church, and not for personal 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. the mistake is that they want it to happen just so. loves the Lord, and Gods People, thats the reason they flow and An apostle understands that healthy disciples are reproducing bringing new disciples into the Kingdom and the local church. It is easy enough to look around you and identify the signs in others, but once you can identify the signs in your own life, you will begin to understand a bit about the journey that is ahead of you. An apostle needs to have a tremendously personal walk with the Lord that encourages him and enables him, regardless of the situation, to bounce back and continue his work in the area of the vineyard that he is working. He was correct in knowing that he was called, but not until his conversation did he know his place and purpose. You must count the cost before running the race, or fighting the Such a discontentment and restlessness denote an apostolic ministry, and if you can identify with that, then be encouraged for you are not in rebellion, you are simply called to the apostolic ministry! the arm of flesh, but the arm of the Spirit of God. Yet there is hardly any teaching on the apostle today?! definitely needed together with the Prophetic in the body of Christ now, You desire to show them a better way and a new building that does not have the flaws of the old. word from. Then this is another sign of your apostolic calling. He does not stand out as odd and irrelevant and does not blend in so as not to be seen as someone offering an alternative lifestyle and a different set of values. Theres not much on this in books so Ive been searching and praying over the Scriptures about this and I discovered 7 characteristics of apostles. As you grow and mature as a believer and grow into the skills needed to function apostolically then the local church you attend would publicly recognize the calling and your gifting and release you to function as an apostle within the congregation and outside the local church. You cannot get into the into our vessel that he should and must meet all our needs and wants. no longer exist in present day, but I beg to differ, this anointing is You are always wanting to let the people of God know that there is a Promised Land where things are different! But He gave everything else up to the Lord and even went into ministry full-time, but this is one thing he desired more than anything. This often means repairing the already existing foundation upon which the local church was first established. deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Who could have prepared Abraham for the sacrifice of Isaac? before you can be a blessing in America, Canada or England. >> (More about ours and how to set up your own), "Building View I stood up knowing that I was called to be an apostle, and I stood up knowing my purpose and place in the Kingdom of God. fame and glory. 39 0 obj It wont be a program that is added after the church is founded and established it is a part of the very life and nature of the church right from the start. If Paul had not received that miraculous call on the way to Damascus, He would not ever have known what he was. Im blessed and enlightened by this teaching sir. 37 0 obj wants some deeper revelation, some greater insight, some new dimension, As you continue with me along this journey, you will come to discover that the complete opposite is in fact true! Christ, to such a measure, as to cause the Body to Become beautiful, that The Apostle Paul, called himself a spiritual father to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:11): For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.. Remember, to go to the deep, you got to first deal with the God hates the proud, but gives grace to the Humble. There is no FEAR in love. Do you know it in your heart without a doubt? Apostolic is a very stern, teaching, correcting, rebuking and An apostle is always open and subject to the Feel free to add your own comments below. It is difficult to understand why suffering must come for the calling on your life when those around you are affected. You will do things differently and will not be afraid to do so. Their main purpose is to bring back spiritual order and structure to the Body of Christ, to such a measure as to cause the Body to become beautiful that when the world looks at the Church, they see an institution that is disciplined, ordered, beautiful and perfect, i.e. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 3 God gave to the Church first apostles and then prophets (1 Cor 12:28). 7 Thank you for this teaching. your present, but its getting their that frustrates you. This needs to be an inner strength because he will often not receive encouragement from others or from any immediate results of the work that he is involved in. May God continuously show you favour. Lives a lifestyle of unselfish and sacrificial serving. About forty miles west of Houston, the revival spread to Houston and many other cities in Texas. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the I pray for a higher pedestal of knowledge to know more of Gods dealings. Before, only a select few held the secrets of the word of God, but now, suddenly, everyone could obtain it. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word Your ideas might not always work out, but you are always coming with new concepts and new patterns. The fires of apostolic preparation will strip you of everything you are, and the molding of apostolic training will change you into a new image. lot of believers do get very carried away with the gifting, and runs ahead You are either called, or you are not. Its not how Why go through all that pain? The results stand for themselves when that same person can lift things that he could not lift before! If you have had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus and received your calling from Him directly, then you can identify with this sign. A church plant should be immediately planning to plant another church within a year or two of its own beginning. Tel: 868-750-9008. It was likely at a time when you were at your lowest and when you least expected it. Everyone They must apply the Word of God to their lives every day. If you take a look at Pauls life, you will note that for the first part of it, he persecuted the Christians! He will need to have the inner assurance of being called and commissioned by the Lord and empowered for the work that he is doing in the geographical area that he is working in. are some Processes or Changes that must first happen to you before there They determine the particular emphases of the church based on the Gospel and their own walk with the Lord. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 Being defamed, we entreat. If you take a look once again at the life of Paul, you will notice that the first thing that happened after he was called is that he spent three years in Arabia in obscurity to be trained. He embraced his call but with humility, an apostle by the grace of God. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. Are you the kind of person that has never been content with following? Love for God, Love for Truth, Love for Righteousness, Thank you, I too believe that God spoke to me telling me I am an Apostole. Yet, no matter when the call came, it has become a conviction in you! of the gifting, that was given by the Lord Jesus. Your attitude will determine whether you can launch out Is it when he makes a commitment? Well, that man could have had his doctorate and sacrificed the anointing for it, but he came to realize that this doctorate was something that he could boast in and not something the Lord could boast in. "the Lord has anointed me to preach to the poor", It is most important, for believers, not to get carried away with the Title of the gifting, that was given by the Lord Jesus. But so that they began to sink. Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, (NKJV). anything or anyone else but Jesus. can be any launching out, into any deep. The race is not for the swift, but those who will endure unto the Often an evangelist but more concerned with growing a movement rather than just saving people. He does not just accept anything everyone says, but listens and then seeks his own revelation and conviction. Note there were 7. Jesus If you are obedient to Him and follow His will, then you can be anointed for whatever He has planned for you. The pastor said, If I had to implement that in the youth, I would have to implement it to the entire church, and I am just not prepared to make that kind of change.. He needs to be a self-started so as not to rely on external things to motivate his daily ministry in difficult situations. It helps the process if you can find an apostle willing to disciple and mentor you into the calling. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. I remember doing a study on the dark ages in a history class once. Our desire is to see the church of God come to place where each member is in love with the Lord Jesus and has an intimate relationship with Him. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Without them the church goes astray and begins to move outside this. /StrF /StdCF David was anointed with oil. /CreationDate (_4e@?1) The dictionary definition of resilience is: the power or ability to return to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity. So even if also cause you to fall. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. either be a blessing or a cursing; its all up to you. God Bless you and please pray for me!! Hudson Taylor, a remarkable missionary, left for China at 21 years old. many believers. Understanding the apostolic anointing pdf I remember doing a study about the dark ages in a history class once. with God. the blessings and fullness of God. Not at all, it is just who he is, he cannot help himself. Thus an apostle and his team will need to know how to stand in faith and fight the fight of faith. It was while the prophets and teachers of the Antioch Church were worshipping and fasting that the Holy Spirit called and separated Paul and Barnabas for this ministry. They are able to share their vision and the work they are currently doing in such a way that others can buy into the vision and take ownership of the ministry that is on-going and that they are now a part of. out of the twelve, were actually able to enter in or rather launch out impossible to launch out into any deep thing with God, if you first I felt like a wannabe weight lifter lifting a heavy weight for the first time. Howell Harris was the initiator of the Methodist Revival in Wales, even before Whitefield. spot and wrinkle, so that when the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) comes, He One of the most evident characteristics of the Apostolic Anointing is that of HUMILITY. Here are some proofs of anointing in the leaders life: 1. and their net brake. open seas. >> is most important, for believers, not to get carried away with the Title As a result of #12 an apostle will need to be intrinsically motivated. myself as a Humble servant of the Lord Jesus. Our passion is to help you discover your call, equip you, and then to release you, with impartation, to see you walk it out. - Apostles Craig & Colette Toach. Praise the Lord!! Is it when he decides it is a good idea? I was told that I did not speak for God and that I was in deception. them, and were washing their nets. deep things of God, if you first dont want to put on a spirit of He made a point of visiting these societies on a regular basis all over Wales. A proud person does not have a teachable heart or spirit. But, there is one goal, one vision, one direction, one desired end result. This could be therefore translated, I have executed/carried into effect the Gospel everywhere. Withing this plan and the task at hand there are many variables and much room for creative thinking and planning, action and risk-taking. I ask that you give it up for me. This was a painful decision for this man to make. Since too many times a lot of believers do get very carried away with the gifting, and runs ahead of their gifting. I thought ..there must be some mistake! having the right attitude, rembember in Numbers the twelve spies, only two If not, then this is the place where you need to begin. Just like the prophet has the ability to see the spiritual hunger in the people of God, the apostle has the ability to see the flaws in the old Church structure, desiring to usher it unto the new. /P -1324 You cannot We cannot afford to get tired and caught up with Not only is it a confirmation of your apostolic calling, but it is a tool in the hand of God to forge you into the apostle that He has called you to be. He shared how when he first started out in ministry, he was put in charge of the youth group. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well from the Gentiles, to whom now I send you, 18 To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Paul is the best example to look at, because the way he became an apostle is the closest to If you are always doing things differently or coming up with new ways to structure the Church, then this is indeed a sign of apostolic ministry. Leading by support not control. Then as he receives that abundance from the Lord, he hands it out to those around him. must first be willing to be a blessing in your own village and community, What I was brought to the ground by the Holy Spirit as His presence came over me. Yet I tell you that the call to apostleship is birthed in the crucible of rejection, and it is wrought in the fire of opposition. Perhaps the surest sign of an apostolic gift at work is a litany of new things that have been started due to their influence, whether spiritual or not. word of health, the word of strength, the word of life and faith. Why couldnt the Lord just let him have the doctorate? Many think that this calling and anointing Have you been accepted by you church? As spiritual fathers apostles are called to live what they preach, so that others imitate them. Apostles have some basic characteristics that are essential to the fulfillment of the call upon their lives. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things in the which I will yet reveal to you. war. I remember crying out to the Lord many times when I had to see my children facing hard times because of the calling on my life. They are releasing the life of God among the people and anything that does not enable or help to release and grow this life is removed. Just as Paul and this man had to give up everything for the sake of the call, so also will you be called to give all up for the calling on your life. The spouse must be an active and willing participant in the work that the apostle is called to accomplish and thus an active and involved member of the initial team and a willing worker in the spreading of the Gospel into new territory for the Kingdom. Whats your profession, whats He used Simons ship as a pulpit to preach and body of Christ for many years. We always prefer to do what we want and we like, and we need to understand as children of God, whenever we try doing things in David was sent to the wilderness and poor Moses to the backside of the desert. Often the apostle will be involved in times of conflict and confrontation during which he will need to stand in faith knowing that he has been called to this ministry and that the Church belongs to the Lord and He will have His way with the local church even if circumstances say otherwise. Jesus knew He was the son of God from very young. With each conflict I have faced and overcome, it has given me the weapons and knowledge I need to help others overcome. Apostles are often church planters but not concerned much with managing a church, but with ensuring the foundations are correct (see below). dont have Love. they should come and help them. when the world looks at the Church, they see an institution that is This call might in fact usher you directly into apostolic training. It will never be said that you rose up because of your great abilities or your great learning. Does this happen in your church? And so the rest, as they say is history! Without That passion was to complete his doctorate and to wear the title Dr. in front of his name. was first about his fathers business, to bless others with the word of This has answered my worries and enlightened my ministry. /Subject (4&pid8U1w=]TZ>1Qn3~\)^*ybWA \rT99`7 ) The best place for At times, you might not have understood this and thought the Lord unfair. At first glance, this seems like a strange comment. me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. I want to let you know what we feel. Loves God more than the world system. Like I said earlier though, you cannot even begin this journey until you have received a personal conviction and confirmation of this calling. if a man does not have love, then that man does not have God. land of peace, wherein thou trusted, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou In fact, if you follow the Gospels, you will see that the Father confirmed who Jesus was to his disciples through personal revelation (such as the case with Peter) and again at the mount of transfiguration. through the Holy Spirit, through his word, or through his servants. It all depends on your spiritual maturity. always speak to people, but a lot of times, what God is saying, we dont No true apostle of God is ever Eph 4:11 lists apostles as part of the 5-fold gifts of the church and fundamental to the Church growing in unity and maturity in Christ, and building up the rest of the church body. If you find yourself going to church services and noticing its cracks and flaws, then this too is a strong apostolic orientation. There ! Your info was very helpful to help me understand the life of an Apostle!! 7> As a result of the above there is no standard plan or approach to planting churches. If you were content with the way things were and you were accepted by the majority, then you would not be separated would you? Since we believe that since we have allowed him to come Lets pray God raises up a new generation of godly apostles today, who will transform nations. you can sing the nicest, or play the best instrument, or even preach the Wow this was beautiful to read. The first time you pick up a weight, it seems impossible to even lift once, never mind lift repeatedly! God and the Holy Spirit. when there is forgiveness in your heart. So here is a checklist of 7 characteristics of apostles: Preferably by a local church but primarily by the Spirit as in Acts 13:2 in which we see both aspects. See also RETURNING TO THE APOSTOLIC GOSPEL: 4 WAYS IT IS SO MUCH BIGGER. Prayer Command Centres Do you find people are drawn to you without you having to do anything? In other words it And if in the He just smiled and said to me, I faced the same thing when you were a child. by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit. Philippians 3: 13-15 (NIV) This is our attitude here at what's new in the prophetic.com. Simons need was this, he and his fellow Apostolic people have to believe that the scriptures are true and trustworthy. you are not willing to forgive. new converts into the movement, and by the summer of . Someone who is single can be called to be an apostle. /U (kGQ9\(N^NuAd NV) /R 3 Paul said it so well in the above passage. You have to let Go, you must be willing to pick up that anchor relationship and walk with God, and in your Ministry, both personal with Simon. Remember to wear apostolic gifting with humility, neither holding yourself up as more important than others, nor tearing yourself down as a problem child with no real place. This goes way beyond an inner conviction. Thus, true apostles are committed to Church growth and will be constantly sharing the vision of disciple-making and church planting with everyone and anyone who will listen. You see its again about walking in the Flesh, which many You see this man had only one passion in life. Of course, as he presented his full idea to the pastor, he was faced with a devastating disappointment. 12We work hard with our own hands. Lord Jesus Christ. So this does not seem like a gift that was to be confined to the Early Church, but fundamental to how the Church begins and grows in maturity. 2-3 Jesus is always looking for available vessels to use. What is a leader? In the Greek the verb is not proclaim (a very Protestant translation). It's for anyone who is called to do God's work. you. first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things To expose them for their true nature. the Body of Christ is unforgiveness; it prevents believers from walking in In Diary 132, entry 14 September 1748, he says, God has placed me as a father among you and speaks now through me. 38 0 obj of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me So, if you have received a personal conviction of an apostolic calling, but cannot identify with most of these signs, then give the Holy Spirit some time to work in your life. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and This sign lines up with the others in that to be a leader you are set apart, and you also face much opposition and rejection. Hence, those leaders who simply pastor a big church or a number of churches are not technically apostles. An effective apostle (and apostolic team member) can have hundreds of relationships in the community that he is reaching for Jesus. He began calling them within the bounds of their obscurity and began raising them up while they were hidden from the entire world. The Apostolic is a very stern, teaching, correcting, rebuking and disciplining, type of anointing, but it's all done in Love. Without the Lord we cannot, but with the Lord, we always can. Do you know that God is calling you to be an apostle? So, they will have a vision of the local church they are working with or currently planting, a vision of the Church Jesus is building, as well as the bigger Kingdom picture. He also knew what He was called to do, but only as He stood in front of John the Baptist, the confirmation of His calling came. : drambal_daren@yahoo.com search towards the deep, i.e. It is difficult for the Holy Spirit For He is the Anchor that Holds, in When launching out, you must be willing to forgive. The implication is more than the Gospel was preached but had an impact everywhere throughout society. Was he not prepared to offer God all he owned and all that he had? Haughtiness, Pride will always cause you to fail in Ministry. 4 After Simon had made his vessel (His Ship) available for the Lord, and It means to be separated from the rest. 3. The calling must first be confirmed by two or three others who function in that calling the apostolic calling and then recognized, in time, by the assembly of believers that you attend. The Church leaders recognised this and sent them out. You cannot hope to be an apostle, and you cannot try to be an apostle. boat could never touch ground, its there where your only hope, trust This discontentment is what sets you apart. The apostle has a great concern for the preservation and guarding of the Gospel, more than the evangelist who just preaches it. we must never be satisfied with the shallow, we should always press and I cried out, Lord, what do you want from me? In that instant, I felt as Paul must have when he was struck to the ground. We are weak, but you are strong! When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. you, but your focus, your priority, your motive, your will must first be Humble Servant of the into Simons ship primarily to bless Simon, but his main reason, was a He will, as a result of this, be active in his community. individual as well as your local church. I will take you briefly through the following ten signs of the apostolic calling. Yet, the first seeds of this revolution did not begin in the open. You may be able to identify with all of them, maybe you will not. 8 You are distinguished, but we are dishonored. His heart was still to reach out to the lost, but he now became a visionary in the body of the Messiah. You hear nothing of Jesus until He was already trained and ready to implement His mandate. Nothing new was invented, the arts died, and even the living Church slipped into the abyss of obscurity. The call to the apostolic ministry is not a simple matter of having a ministry of prophecy or compassion; it is a call to the highest ministry office and as a result comes with the greatest price. And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of He wanted to implement a complete structure and form a mechanism where each member of the youth would be given a place where their ministries would be identified and then trained in that position. There are many who would proudly confess that they are willing to be a martyr as Stephen was for the Lord, yet when the same kind of person is asked of the Lord to give up their bitterness, their materials, possessions or even a relationship, suddenly the price is too high! You always find yourself on the outskirts of church fellowship and standing outside of the boundaries of how things are done in the local church. it means that, that individual fears God and hates SIN. Required fields are marked *, https://ralphhoweministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/aug202014.jpg, https://ralphhoweministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ralph-howe-ministries1.png, 13 Essential Characteristics of an Apostle. Paul knew this well, and the greatest price for him was to let go of his achievements and great learning. He will be inspecting it to see if it matches the correct standards and what would improve it. 9 /V 2 Together with the prophets, apostles are the foundation of the church. In time, you will be able to tick each of these signs off as you face the rigors of apostolic preparation. in our own life. 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Apostles and Apostolic Anointing: Raising Up the End-Times Believers (Building Apostolic . once they have the right attitude towards Ministry and the Lord, and are He begged and pleaded with God. These characteristics enable them to do what The Lord has called them to accomplish. God, the word of deliverance, the word of healing, the word of hope, the And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, However, as you pit your muscles against that weight time and time again, your muscles grow in strength until you can lift a greater weight. 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. /Producer (4&pnXU%=Y[J>KI1Q43~\)H^?yTbW\n) The Almighty appoints whom He wants in one of the offices of the Spirit. Remember Lucifer; he was cast out of heaven the problem is not so much listening but rather OBEYING. Your attitude can Many centuries later, another resurrection is taking place in the church of Jesus Christ! Then you can raise up other apostles to help transform nations. (NKJV). Because of the work that an apostle is involved in by the nature of his calling, he will need to exercise strong faith. (NKJV). /ModDate (_4e@?1) by profession, but they caught nothing. some spiritual higher level, some higher understanding, some new we got to look carefully at this scenario, his objective was not to enter I am a minister and have a call from on high to walk and start an apostolic ministry. cannot launch out without first having humility. Until you have that inner conviction, you will never have what it takes to endure the preparation and training that waits for you. Apostles and Apostolic Anointing: Raising Up the End-Times Believers (Building Apostolic-Prophetic Foundations Book 3) - Kindle edition by Sawka, Ronald. casteth out fear. endobj Apostles and apostolic people find their stability in their relationship with The Lord who never changes. calling and gifting of the Apostle has been mis-interpreted within the the shallow stuff, or else we will never be able to launch out into the It will one loves someone, one does not have to say it; rather it is better However, first lets look at why I believe apostles exist today. life that are important to us, and we leave the Lord out, it will always The success in Texas brought thousands of. Perhaps you are always asking questions and looking for the truth for yourself. Because of the amount of time and attention planting the Gospel and raising up a local church takes the spouse of the apostle will need to be completely on board with the specific task at hand. Apostles often have an interest in apologetics and are gifted in defending Biblical truths. This caused me to rethink my life and also realize that the suffering that the apostle is called to face as part of his preparation is both a privilege and a necessity for their mandate. Apostles arent to be different from their Master Jesus who suffered for the sake of preaching the Gospel and didnt earn a wage from preaching but gave the Gospel freely. more than ever. Others call themselves apostles just because they lead a big church or a number of churches. An apostle can share their story and their ministry is such a way that others catch the vision, realize that this is what God is currently doing, and come to understand that God wants them to have a part in the fulfillment of this vision. He does not try to be out of order, but he simply sees things in the church system that others do not. I know people today shy away from calling themselves this, but the Apostle Paul never did so. will accept his bride the Church. that he would thrust out a little from the land. not to go into a ship, but to have a place where he could have preach the Taylor showed what is classic apostolic gifting. So a movement of people looked to him as their spiritual father. The apostle seeks to know the truth for himself. anointing of an apostle on his life and appointed him. So they travel light on the organizational and structure side of the ministry and are very flexible thus enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to the community they are working in. For as the Word of God was hidden from so many in the dark ages, the truths of the End-Times apostles have also been hidden from the Church and the world. originally took. 10> If the apostle is married he must have spousal cooperation. important to always make ones self available for use by the Lord. THE OX ANOINTING. Before Along with a personal conviction, you need a confirmation of your calling. Note I am not saying that he will not bless Apostolic people have to consistently study and not just read the Word. These characteristics enable them to do what The Lord has called them to accomplish. Read through and see if you have these characteristics or know others who have. does it mean to have an Apostolic Anointing Upon your Life? It So you too need such a call before your apostolic training can begin. prayers be answered, or your sacrifices (Praises) be accepted. want to thank God for present day apostles, and I thank God for calling me But you know what, out in the deep, is also where there is the There will be a leader (the bus driver) and many active members but one common life being shared as they move towards a jointly shared and understood destination. As time went on though, I overcame each phase of opposition, and I grew stronger until such accusations did not move me any longer. that when you come to pray and bring your sacrifices to God, you must Your attitude can make you or break you. They are never a one-man show. workers, my fellow congregation members. Set Apart. His calling from the Lord is the source of this motivation so he needs to be seriously assured of his call and the current work that he is attempting because of his call. with that anointing upon my life, I glory not in the Title, but rather in Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God (NKJV). willing to let the fathers will be accomplished in your life, then and Either way, the apostle is one that is born with an awareness of God and searches after God with all that is in him. It is not enough to hope or to guess or to rely on the revelations of others. Thank you very much for your help today I really appreciate it God bless you, Your email address will not be published. If one feel the calling of an apostle can it be from God if one is single? The quote goes, It is not good enough to be prepared to die for Christ. To learn how to raise up apostles read RAISING UP APOSTLES: 4 WAYS TO IDENTIFY AND RELEASE. Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the workto which I have called them.. Pastors, Teachers, Missionaries and Prophets. God is Love, and Love is of God, The Word will equip them for service in the Body of Christ. two ships standing by the lake, but he went into Simons. 6. This sign follows perfectly from what I have shared already. rather, because He or She is so passionate about the things of God, and so They do not find their identity or sense of worth in the ministry that they have or in the on-going life of the church that is being planted. Do you desire to bring change? In some churches apostles have the most privileged positions and lifestyles but Paul spoke very differently about the true ministry of the apostle (1 Cor 4:9-13): For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! Vr So, the first sign with which you can confirm your calling is to identify when the Lord first called you to be an apostle. I was so surprised at how the whole community came to a sudden stop during that time. expect God to promote you in Ministry, and dont want to be humble. 11 The Early Church, the Reformation and the Methodist Revival were all driven by apostles, and for this reason they did not rest on the side-lines but transformed nations. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 Days Revival Devotional, RETURNING TO THE APOSTOLIC GOSPEL: 4 WAYS IT IS SO MUCH BIGGER, LEPER HEALED: 4 INCREDIBLE ASPECTS OF JESUS HEALING. 5 A song sung with the anointing of the Spirit upon the singer will also bring conviction to the sinner. In that instant, I was in the Throne Room of God. This has been so helpful to understand what the lord requires of me. Just as Paul was willing to leave his entire Jewish heritage behind and mingle with Gentiles, so will you as an apostle be called to change and to rock the boat when everyone has just become comfortable. thyself before the Lord, and he shall exalt you in due season. I had been going through a lot of change, and I had been struggling with many issues that the Lord had revealed in my life. Today many profit from the Gospel but this is not a true apostle. Galatians 2:6 But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. thing I have understood and learnt in Christianity, as a servant of the Email Apostles emphaisised the foundation of grace, see 100% BY GRACE BUT DO WE LIVE IT? This is what makes the apostle stand out! Once the work is established the apostle and his team remain very responsive to the community. If you dedicate yourself to this calling and accept what is being offered to you, then know that the price of your pride, of your zeal, of your emotion, and of your strengths and weaknesses will be required of you. I am afraid that this is a great price for one to be called an apostle, and if you find yourself having a need to be accepted or recognized, then you are about to find out that being separated is part and parcel of the apostolic calling. Into the image of Jesus Christ. You cannot Launch out into the deep, if you do not want to You will find that the call to apostleship will cost you more than just your life. But God reinerated that He was talking to me!!! The mission to reach the people for Christ and the Kingdom remains solid and firm; Christ remains the cornerstone of everything that is attempted in His Name. This denotes the beginning of leadership. There is no doubt that God anoints individuals to fulfill His purpose. Ephesians 4:11-12. Since too many times a You Just as Jesus went to the cross and faced death for us, so also will you be called time and time again to face sufferings and to overcome them for the sake of others. He took full responsibility for the failures in his churches, and he also carried the weight of his personal failures, calling himself the least of the apostles.. So, consider this as being the first big marker along your apostolic voyage. To be set apart means to be appointed. Lord, is that God cannot use PROUD people, Before destruction is When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from as Mary said Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me The Cyrus-anointing has the ability to unmask devils. He said:because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. (NKJV). spirits). In fact you can only truly move on in Christ to any new level, only This member of the five-fold ministry is We desperately need the apostolic gifting today to grow the Church and transform nations. He was brimming with so many ideas of what he wanted to do. The sinner would be convicted if he could comprehend the love of Christ for him and the power in the Blood of Jesus to redeem him from sin. really like to hear. In Nehemiah states that I stood up knowing that God had called me. because of PRIDE. They also disciple and pass it onto others. your Business, whats your need, whatever it is, you must first be 2> They create ownership of the ministry. God has been putting on my heart the apostolic for the last 6 months and I have been studying and thinking about this. For when you have that conviction, nothing will move you. (NKJV). The first printing press was invented and the very first book to be printed on that press was the Bible. He also understands that healthy churches reproduce healthy churches. A man or a woman and safety is on Jesus, because out in the deep, you cannot depend on He was always different. As he plants the Gospel with the hope of raising up a vibrant and dynamic reproducing local church body he will be apposed by the forces of darkness. The apostle is the same. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that Even as he persecuted the Christians, he did it in zeal for the Lord. The price that you will be called to pay will not be one of monetary value. Its pray that the Body of Christ will one day be that Perfect Bride, without 12> An apostle needs to have resilience. This is hidden in the image of the Living Creatures of Revelation Ch.4, Ezekiel Ch.1 and Isaiah Ch.6. He is not only willing to take chances, but he is also willing to change. Paul was such a leader and never forgot his failures and successes. first forgive anyone who had done wrong against you, only then can your /Title (4&pKg'U:>=_>J1Qt3) vessel to first fulfill the fathers will. Because of the opposition (both spiritual and human) to his work and the intensity of the work that he is involved in he will need to be strong and resilient. Love, Forgiveness, Do I have the right attitude towards my spouse, my Acts 26:15 So I said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Have you ever tried lifting weights to tone up your muscles? You are honored, we are dishonored! Change is expected and experienced regularly. We can refer to Paul as an evangelistic apostle. There was no doubt in his mind that he was anointed! 1. apostolic ministries are fathering, nurturing ministries with a deep heart of care for the churches (1cor 4:15; 1 thess 2) 2. apostolic ministries will be zealous to lay a strong foundation and establish and preserve apostolic doctrine. The anointing as an apostle became evident when he sent Titus to set in order the things that was wanting in the Body. I "As you read through these qualities of a growing church, check off the traits that your church and leaders currently possess in some useful measure. Then, finally as you have received that personal conviction and received the confirmation, you will be able to identify with the signs of apostleship! Why is this of any importance? For the first time, a common man could actually get to read the Bible for himself. 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! Do you have a conviction of your calling? Are you forever changing the way things are? willing and available, they can go places in God. of them Joshua and Caleb had the right attitude, and only the two of them He saw Samuel hold out the oil to him. Another fire burns in you, and you will indeed find yourself separated. This gift was vital for the function of the Church. From that moment onwards, a revolution took place not only in the world, but also in the arts and in the Church. 11 To the present time hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. to address Simons need. If so, then you are ready to begin traveling along this way, and you are ready to see what waits. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter; 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), (NKJV). Saints. followed him. A lot of times It has been the mystery of the ages, and as the Holy Spirit has lifted the veil from our eyes, an apostolic revolution has come to the Church! It is common for people with apostolic gifting to feel like misfits in local church structures, which can lead to confusion or defensiveness. You must be willing to say I went to Les and aired my frustrations and my anguish. the people had a Mind to Work thats why they were able to build Anointing is that of HUMILITY. does it mean to have an Apostolic Anointing upon your life? Their main This was the beginning of a movement. He had a vision that the others did not, and this is one sign that is prevalent in all who are called to the apostolic ministry. So, an apostle will not be an office person but will consciously plan each day to include time building the relationships he has already established and forming new relationships. Read through and see if you have these characteristics or know others who have, The next morning, waiting upon God in prayer to know what he would have me do, these words, Speak out Paul came with great power to my soul. God spoke to me by his Spirit and I was no longer dumb, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others, God has placed me as a father among you and speaks now through me. This is a miraculous and personal call directly from the Lord Jesus. There were the 12 Apostles and Paul. I am not referring to them. Very enlighteningRecently as i was reading the Bible i believe i was told that I was called to be an apostle !!! /Creator (4&peg2U1=ZS]>A1Q) They understand where each person fits within the life of the local church and equips and enables the person to fit and function where they belong. You have an idea in your mind at all times of what you would do if you were in charge and when given the opportunity you would turn things upside down! spite of the Storm. Love and forgiveness goes So as one called to the apostolic ministry, you will also be called to give up anything that stands in the way of your calling. needed a vessel, which in this instance was a boat, or rather a platform, It might even be possible that the Lord has called you to an apostolic ministry, but you have not faced sufficient preparation yet to be ready for this phase. said unto Simon Launch out into the deep, as the Lord is saying to Then, I will pass that foundation on to the next generation. stream 4. God best, or Praise God the Loudest in the Church, if there is not These movements impact society. You may begin with an apostolic orientation, but your early judgments are likely to be based on your own ideas and preconceived notions. /O (j47"i5.O H_\ny;jw) 4> An apostle is effective at building relationships. Jesus received many confirmations of His calling. only then can God look after your needs. 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