A True Apostle


Normally I’m not quick to un-friend fellow believers on Facebook. I recognize all of us are at different levels of spiritual maturity. Still, one disturbing trend I’ve noticed is professing Christians posting profanity online. Earlier this year I issued a statement on my wall rebuking those who repeatedly engage in such activity. In response, a (now former) friend wrote, “I train my kids to say s*** like a true apostle.” I was shocked to read this. My mother would have washed my mouth out with soap if I said a word like that to her!

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines apostle as “a person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ.” The Greek word for apostle is apostolos, which means “one who is sent”; “messenger”, “envoy”, and “ambassador.” Apostolos was derived from a sailing term meaning to send a particular ship or group of ships, a marine expedition, or the leader of such.

In Revelation 2:2, Jesus commended the church of Ephesus because “…you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” 2 Corinthians 11:13 also warns against “false apostles.” Years ago I briefly stayed with a man who insisted I address him as “Apostle So-and-so.” At the time, the only ministry I saw him involved in was occasionally helping out in a food pantry. One day when I worked with him there, another person asked how I could handle being around this self-proclaimed apostle who was really bossy (believe me, he was not an easy person to live with). 1 Thessalonians 2:6 says, “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The position of an apostle is not something one can aspire to obtain. At the beginning of his epistle to the Galatians, Paul called himself an apostle “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead.” In his greeting to the Ephesians, Paul said he was “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

So what is a true apostle? 2 Corinthians 12:12 says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” One walking in true apostolic authority obeys the Great Commission. His calling is confirmed with signs following that lift up the name of Jesus.

A true apostle also demonstrates humility. Paul is often considered Christianity’s greatest apostle. Yet he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 

Some of you might remember “The Apostle”, a 1997 film written and directed by Robert Duvall, who also starred in the title role. Duvall played a troubled minister named Sonny who moves into a new town and starts up a church to be taken over by another pastor. A modern-day apostle typically functions as a church planter.

Nevertheless, some ministers will argue there are no apostles and prophets today. One man emailed me claiming, “There will always be 12 apostles...Period.” It would be helpful for him to read Ephesians 4...

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

The Body of Christ certainly hasn’t “come to the unity of the faith” yet. Therefore, God is still using apostles today. Some ministers referred to as missionaries are really apostles since they are sent out for the purpose of starting a new work for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” All believers are representatives of Jesus Christ whether or not they are called to the five-fold ministry. 

How are you representing Him?

“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” - Titus 2:7-8

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more