Apostles' Doctrines
| Continued in chapter eight Book "Christian Theology" Bishop J. L. Payne, Publisher 'Church House Publisher'
The Apostleâs Doctrine
portions of chapter eight
The First Century Apostles
When Jesus was on earth, He was the fountainhead of all ministry. He was the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, deacon, ruler, intercessor, and giver all wrapped up into one. He had the fullness of all ministry. Jesusâ desire was for His ministry of life and healing to be taken to all the earth! He had told his disciples to occupy until He returned. Jesus gave His ministry to those who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and He made it possible for His ministry to reach the four corners of the earth. In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter Two, the disciples of the Lord were endued with power from on high. In essence what Jesus did with His ministry, He ascended on high and broke down His fullness of ministry into smaller measures and gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, some teachers, some givers, some deacons, some gifts of healings etc. He did not give the whole to anyone but gave each a measure of the gift of Christ. Christ in this way continues to carry on His prophetic ministry through the prophets He has set in the body. He continues to carry on His teaching ministry through the teachers that He has called and equipped in the body, and so on. His plan is to carry forth a worldwide ministry through a many member body!
âBut 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. And he have 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 a perfect man, 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 supplied, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in longâ (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16).
The five ministries that God has given for this purpose, we refer to as the five-fold ministry include the apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, the pastor, and the teacher. These ministries are governmental ministries, because of the responsibility, accountability and authority placed on them by God. The Apostle was sent from the Father to found a church and faithfully represent the intentions of the Christâs mission in His Kingdom for this age (Luke 10:11; John 13:16). Jesus said in Matthew 10:40, âHe that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.â
The Apostle, The Prophet, The Evangelist, The Pastor, The Teacher, The Mystery of the Fellowship in Him
Ephesians 1:18,19 teaches âThe eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.â
The Apostleâs Doctrine
The Church as a member body ministry focuses on each member in the church and churchâs leadership functioning properly within the body. This can only be accomplished when members and leaderships are in right relations to each other in the body. There is a corporate responsibility as taught in the Apostleâs doctrine of each member and leadership in the church to obey and follow the rule of order given. Each member has a unique function and service to be rendered to the whole (1 Corinthians 12:27).
How can we function alone as a member and leadership in the body of the church when each member of the church is by the very ministry of the church dependent on each other and totally dependent upon our Lord as the head? In a real sense, there is no independent church member or leadership in the church. The realization is that we are âdependent member body church and a dependent member body in our local churchesâ depending upon each other.
In this chapter, we will begin to discuss the spiritual gifts of the church operating in associating with each other. This was the central message of the Apostleâs teaching to the church, âthe unity of the church working together in Christ.â These gifts must be functioning in the body for the church to be growing and healthy spiritually. It must also be functioning for the holiness and approval of the Lord upon the His work of ministry He has established in us. It is important for us to realized that as we look at the church growth physically, business or in natural way in the world, this does not always indicate spiritual growth. Manâs so called natural abilities are not always given to God to be used in His anointing. We must be under the anointing of God to bring about the ministry of the Kingdom of God through the church. It must be the anointing upon us. âIt is the anointing that destroys the yoke.â This is the one of the purposes of the Apostleâs Doctrine. The present ministry and operation of the Church in this century is the Apostleâs Order and Procedures. The Office of the Apostle is demanded today for a âSpiritual Houseâ in the New Testament Church. âThe Spiritual House of the Church demands the anointing upon us operating in our spiritual minds, with spiritual offices of ministry and gifts.â The âanointingâ is from God. The Kingdom of God is an anointed, spiritual kingdom. It is God's ruled (His Word, what God says, establishes, confirms, etc.). |
The Apostle
The bible text for the five ministries are found in Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16.
âBut 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. And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist, and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 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 âwind 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.â
These five ministries are the governmental ministries of the church are was given to the Apostles to lead and direct the church into the things of the Spirit of God. They carry with them the accountability, authority, and responsible government of the church. God has placed them there and upon them is the spiritual leadership of the church. These five ministries are referred as the five-fold ministry. It includes the apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, the pastor and the teacher. These are the central and main ministries of the church. When Christ was here bodily in the earth, there was a limitation of ministry due to His space and time. Christ was five fold ministry in one. Christ was the fullness of all ministries. But it was in the heart of the Almighty for a many member ministry upon the earth. Christ further express this in His final command that the gospel be preached into the entire world. This was done through the five ministries given. When Christ ascended on high He gave gifts unto men. The bible teaches Christ did not give His fullness to one man but distributed it in ministry through measure. He gave these measures to each one and a measure of Christ gifts was in the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, deacons, some were in the gifts of prophecies, gifts of tongues, gifts of healings, etc. The ministry Christ had begun within Himself, Christâs mission was fulfilled in the ministries He gave to the church.
âBut unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascend up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto menâ (Ephesians 4:7).
Two major hindrances to the development of spiritual gifts and offices of ministries in the church are:
à Ignorance, untaught the truth of New Testament doctrine
à Lack of Holy Spirit Baptism, lack of conviction
à There is apathy, indifference, coldness etc.
The world does not know the things of the spirit, neither are they spiritually discerned. The failure of contemporary Christianly to understand the vital importance of this theology of the apostleâs ministry and doctrine has greatly weaken the church and given us a side show, scrubby and degenerate type of faith and Christian who hardly can be distinguished from the world. There is a prevailing humanism in the visible church of this 21st century, it is not producing the giants of sons of God the 1st century believers produced and experienced. Today's church is a body of religious milk drinkers in the church, where most of the cream is taken out. To be a real giant in the faith and apostleâs ministry, we must be nourished on meat. This meat is in the true Word of God. We are remotely in some very strange times. It demands a return to the apostleâs order.
The truth is, there is no philosophy, no science, no theory, reason or idea to replace God established way of doing things. Manâs explanation of working plan lies not in man but in God. Very technically, man problems today lies in his discord against the Godâs rules and order. For this reason all manâs problems are at the very core theological and all the solutions are spiritual. Again, man is essentially spiritual. We must think of ourselves as not having a soul or spirit, but being a soul and a spirit. It must be understood we are not a physical body having a spirit, but we are spirit having a body.
There is an unending wealth taking place through our salvation in this earth. We reach from this phase of our present living and mission in Christ and reaches into eternity. This present study of the ministry left by Christ to the Apostle is vital in our key understanding in the unfolding of Godâs purpose to bring us into His eternity through the present operation in the church. The Apostles takes the headship of this operation in the earth. It is my personal desire as we continue this study, that it will bring a better understanding of our present salvation, our mission and that we further ourselves in the spiritual progress God has in His mind for us through His Church. The purpose of this book is to bring us as children of God to a better understanding of our present salvation, mission, conviction and dedication in service to Christ given gifts of ministry in this age to the church; and if you are not saved to bring you to the foot of cross to become worthily of His life that you may commit to service to Him the things of the Kingdom of Godâ¦seeking the Kingdom of God first.
The Apostle
The early church was an event of great spiritual proportions. Christianity was an event and welcomed with much enthusiasm. What the first apostles presented to that era was more than simply what we may call the âApostleâs Doctrineâ they were theologians bringing the foundational âChristian Doctrineâ that was to serve the church to this present time (in the final chapter of this book, we will study the âChristian doctrineâ). We are in the Apostleâs age. Their gospel was Christâs gospel to be heralded until Hisâ second return to the earth.
Who were these men? Apostle was a word from the Greek âapostolosâ literally meaning âone who is sentâ a name given to an ambassador who commanded a fleet of ships. The word further was applied to the whole fleet, or the admiral and the community or state that was founded as a result of this host of leadership who was sent to establish the community. The truth applied here is âan Apostleâ is closely related with âbeing sentâ âestablishmentâ âbeing one with the sender - for when a fleet, Admiral or ambassador went forth, he represented the sender. His mission was to represent the one who sent Him. The success of the mission depended much upon the commitment and faithfulness of the one sent. The Apostle of the New Testament Church is âone sent.â One who is sent to reflect the purpose and mission of the one who sent him? Jesus in the order of the Great Apostle says in Matthew 10:40 âHe that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.â In Christâs last night of prayer with His disciples, He was bringing them under orders as founders of the New Testament Church. He would make them representation of this heavenly Kingdom on earth. He would empower them with His authority and give them the keys of the Kingdom upon the earth. In St. Luke 6:13, Christ spent a night in prayer and there He named the twelve disciples âapostles.â Jesus Christ was and is the chief apostle (Hebrews 3:1). As Christ was sent by the Father God from heaven to accomplish Godâs divine plan, so He now sends apostles to complete plans and mission in His hands (John 20:21; 3:16). When we refer to chief apostles in the present day churchâs body; it represents the chief (head) leadership (or chief of staff of apostles) of that corporate church. But the one and only chief apostle above all apostles is the Lord Jesus Christ.
There have been many who have had reluctances in using the name âapostleâ in the modern church ministries. Then there have been those who use the name without knowledge of the office and calling. They have just called themselves apostles and were not. God requires an apostle to completely prepared and ready for this office. We in the church body (CCOGIC, USA) only consecrate a bishop to office after we equate him to the office of the apostleship. In other words, we do not consecrate a man to the Episcopal as bishop unless He is fully recognized as an Apostle in the Church with the calling and mantle of the apostleship upon his life. The Bishop should have an Apostleâs calling and ministry upon him. The headship of building Godâs church is a spiritual headship and requires a man prepared with the skills and spiritual tools to get the Godâs kind of faith and results. An Apostle is not prepared overnight. Because of the very influence of leadership he has over the five ministries, over others lives in ministries, the apostle must be well prepared as a man after Christ heart and ministry. There must be much training in wisdom, things of God, man and the world. The Apostle must be a man of complete reliance and dependence upon Godâs leadership in Hisâ life. Only God can bring him to the place of total accomplishment of his will in his life and fulfill Hisâ Kingdom purpose through him. Paul the Apostle was such a man. He instructs Timothy the younger man to wait upon Godâs preparation in His life for the apostleship. Notice, also that after Paulâs conversion, He receives the call to apostleship, but is neither ready nor sent until months and even years later. Paul would need more than the gift of preaching. He must be endowed with the gift of Holy Spirit apostleâs leadership. As an apostle, a man leadership must be proven. An apostle leadership is over a âspiritual house.â
· First, God must call the apostle and the call must be definite.
· The Apostle must have thorough knowledge of the apostleâs ministry and New Testament Church order and principles according to scripture.
· The Apostle should have a divine witness among the brethrens of his apostleship.
· The Apostle must have the gift of the laying on of hands and confirmation of signs following his ministry: signs of speaking in tongues, casting out devils, healing of the sick, etc. (Mark 16:15-18).
· A true apostle releases the apostolic ministry with gifts off times manifested in all 5 ministries. We refer to the 5 member fingers in the hand, with the Apostle as the thumb able to touch every finger member of the hand.
The five governmental ministries must recognize the apostle in relationship to them as the father of ministry. The apostle is a father. He admonishes, nurture, cherish, develop and train. He has the heart of a father.
· Above all, his loyalty to the Church is unquestionable.
· The apostle has servantâs heart (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1). The cross-hung about his neck represents the greatest among the brethren because he is their servant.
· The true Apostle is humble. He has an attitude characterized by sacrifice, humility, faithfulness, service and true self-sacrifice (I Thessalonians 2:6; II Corinthians 10:8; 10:18; I Corinthians 4:9; II Corinthians 11:22-23).
· An Apostle is a senior member in the rank and file of the 5 ministries. With wisdom, maturity and revelation in the knowledge of Christâs ministry, he becomes more patience to assist in the progress of those in other ministries of the fold. This is a real challenge sometimes because he sees many things beforehand and God given foresight demands his patience to those in his care least he too become tempted of evil.
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Again, we come to order. The doctrinal teaching of the Apostles was order in the House of God. Doctrines gives and set order. The effectiveness of Jesusâ ministry demands the Order of the Five Fold Ministry in the New Testament Church:
1. Christ as the Apostle in the Church (Hebrews 3:1)
2. Christ as the Prophet (John 4:19)
3. Christ as the Evangelist (Luke 4:8)
4. Christ as the Pastor (John 10:11)
5. Christ as Teacher (John 3:2)
Christ in us demands that the ministry of the church is found in Him. John 1:14,16 declares âand the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truthâ¦for of His fullness we have all received and grace upon grace.â Christ is the founder of the church and laid the pattern for us to follow. Thus, we are governed by Christâs order discipline and structure of His Church:
We are a many-member body and leadership church; we are one body and yet possesses many members, and all the members of the body, though there are many, are one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
âFor the body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, âBecause I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,â it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, âBecause I am not the eye, I am not a part of the body,â if is not the reason any less part of the body? If the whole were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, âI have no need of you;â or again the head to the feet, âI have no need of you.â On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seems to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have abundant seemliness, whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christâs body, and individually members of itâ (I Corinthians 12:14-27).
The very structure of the body of true believers is unique and requires discipline. The Apostleâs Doctrine develops a relationship with Christâs plan and purpose in His Kingdom. We must be an expression and resemblance of the image of the Christ and His Kingdom in the earth. The true church is in relationship with Him. Again, in the New Testament church, everyone who confessed faith in Christ was considered a member of the body and they were in a local church. When a person was found not in membership, the church identified him as being disciplined by the churchâs leadership. In the churchâs early days, it was a serious judgment upon one not to be allowed as a member in the church with right standing (Matthew 18:17).
The Apostleâs leadership
We must carefully study Paul the Apostleâs leadership doctrine for the New Testament Churchâs age to understand, perceive and get a clear picture of the New Testamentâs leadership under the apostles. Since the first apostles, there have been many master builders of Godly men who have studied Godâs foundation, patterns and methods given to the greater Apostle Paul. God gave him foundational leadership that can be built solidly upon today. This is the beginning of the Apostleâs Doctrine or as it were the continuation of the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of Jesus Christ, proclaiming the gospel of salvation, preaching repentance and faith, teaching the truths of the new life of obedience, prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit working in the Church. The Apostles believed and taught Ephesians 4:11, as the spiritual pattern for church spiritual order and growth. It was taught to every member in the body of the Church that had a spiritual calling and responsibility to contribute to the strength and stature of the church body. These principles of the church remain and must continue to abide in the churchâs building today. If we change the order, it is at our greatest risk. Nothing in this nuclear and space age has changed the Biblical order and foundation our Lord laid in the first century. We must study the instructions carefully given by these apostles and follow the leading of Our Lord in His Holy Spiritâs blueprint for us in churchâs ministry today.
Stoning of Stepen
An Apostle is a prepared Leadership
God requires men to be fully prepared for His work in building His church. The task of building Godâs house is the most important in the entire world and God desires instruments that are well prepared. We have learned that some, in Kingdomâs work have been given ministries that relate to authority in the body. Some, Christ has given to oversee the function of the body and to effect members of the body relationship to each other. Some, Christ has given as builders in His Kingdom through the Church to make sure that every member is functioning in a positive and unique place for which God has designed him. In Ephesians 4, it tells us that these ministries are for the adjusting or the equipping of the saints to do their service and they are for the building up of the body of Christ.
âBut unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. âWherefore He saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some pastors an teachers; For 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 a perfect man, 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 supplied, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in loveâ (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16).
The Role of the Apostle
The Apostlesâ role may differ in various ministries. But the basic role of the apostle is clear.
A. Apostles are involved in the raising up of new works in territorial ministries. He is used of God in founding and establishing Churches in the apostolic manner giving it the right foundation (I Corinthians 3:9 â 14; I Corinthians 9:1-2; 11:34; Ephesians 2:20). The Apostle is always ready to support the work of God already established (Colossians 2:5-7; Romans 1:11).
B. The Apostles establish âright doctrinesâ in the Church (Acts 2:42; 15:1-31). The absent of the apostle today in the church have cause much false doctrine in the church. The Apostle is needed for right doctrine to be established inn the church.
C. A Pastor needs an Apostle for doctrinal exactness in the pasturing; this is true of the teacher and the evangelist.
D. The Apostle is involved in the discipline of the churches, especially those he has founded and is appointed overseer. He is also the chief officer of ordination of ministries in the church and it is his office that gives most appointments and assignments in the five ministries (Acts 16:1-4; Philippians 2:19-25; Colossians 4:7-12).
E. He is overseer over other churches in the fold and is involved in care and the impartation of spiritual gifts by the laying on of hands in the presbytery (Romans 1:11; II Timothy 1:6; I Timothy I: 18; 4:14).
F. The Apostle must be a great teacher. He must be the husband of one wife. I Timothy 3:2-4 explains â A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach. Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverenceâ (New King James Bible).
G. The Apostle must demonstrate the signs of the deliverance ministry. The Apostle Paul explains in I Corinthians 2: 4 âAnd my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.â
The apostle must be in recognition in the Church of God as the first ordained ministry given by Christ. It was Christ only appointed office of Ministry ordained to take His place in the sovereignty of Church headship and leadership. God calls the apostle.
A brief history of the Apostlesâ order in the church: The church in the first several centuries was not ruled by creeds and dogmas of men. The Apostles were the administrative and ecclesiastical head of the church. They were grounded in the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. They established an order of bible teachings base upon the word they received from their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostles (or bishops) of the church were the prominent celebrants and worship leaders and the foremost servants among their brethren. They taught the doctrine of the church. They gave spiritual directions from the believers in Christ. They were the leadership to the governmental ministry. They govern the âspiritual houseâ of the church. As servants, the apostles had no sense of, nor made claim to any papal infallibility. Man had not introduced even the doctrine of celibacy. Peter was a married man and was foremost among the Apostles in ministry as the other Apostles took oversight over the church. Roman Catholicism was not the pattern of the first century church. Many think of the Catholic Church as being the early church. Perhaps, we could say that Catholicism gave birth to most of the older denominations (certainly the Reformation Movement) but Catholicism did not give birth to the Apostlesâ ministry. The Apostlesâ order and ministry was before the Catholic Church came into existence.
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Protestantism came into existence as a result of Martin Luther realizing he could not reform the Catholic Church. But when we try to trace Roman Catholicism as the original church, it cannot be traced back to the time of Jesus and the Apostles. At best, church history traces Roman Catholicism to AD 606 as the origin date of the Catholic Church. Perhaps, as we look at scripture in II Thessalonians 2:1-12 and I Timothy 4:1-3, an atmosphere of apostasy and departure from truth resulting in a total corruption of power being given to "one man" started within the ranks of church leadership. Paul, the Apostle, prophesied it would come in Acts 20:27-31 and Thessalonians 2:4. As we look at these trends of strange doctrines, which are very much associated with Catholicism, they began to emerge and the Apostles warned the saints to stay away from such.
Again, I Timothy 4:1-3 states, "Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." The sins of organized religion were beginning to emerge. However, records reveal that such Catholic doctrines (such as purgatory, AD 593; celibacy (forbidding to marry), AD 800; etc. all began after AD 600...denominationalism is distanced at least 600 years from Jesus and His original Apostles.
So, we are accurate to say, the New Testament order of the church as given by it's founder, Jesus Christ and the Apostles, was in effect at least 6 centuries before the church began to drift from the Apostleâs ministry given by Christ. This period of the early church was apostolic in ministry (the ministry Christ left with the church when He ascended up on high). Apostolic simply means the church was under God's given government. Ephesians 4:11 were in full force and practice. There was one church that represented the Christian faith: One Lord, one Spirit, one Faith, one Baptism, and one Order. The church that existed under the Apostles was the true order of the New Testament church under Christ. This church was the model and mold of Christ's church that should exist upon the earth even today â a body directed and under heavenly orders from our risen Lord. What caused the churchâs departure from its original form, order, and structure? But, the facts persist that the organized church of today has failed in representing what the New Testament church established and begun in those early days. For we can very well bring temporary remedy, healing, sometimes temporary cure, and correction to a fallen condition or situation, but we can only bring permanent cure when the cause (or reason) for the fall, failure or condition is known and dealt with or removed. The very cause must be removed, the thing that gave reason for the failure must be overcome. There must be a return to the apostleâs ministry in this century.
The church's drift into error has to be in her departure from the foundations of the first century church order of the Apostles. The first century church was fresh with the foundation and vision. it was purpose-driven according to the gospel Christ had given them. Perhaps, as we view this from the inside out, we see churchâs leadership becoming more man manufactured and produced. The very Apostleâs ministry expressed Christâs Kingdom rule and order. The pollution and smog that has so filled the church today was hardly known then because leadership was God-oriented, dominated, and empowered. Christianity was not imaged as a big world business and the churches were not into the social, completive programs and world acclaims. The emphasis of this early church was the truth of God's Word taught and preached into the whole earth. Secondly, those of the Apostlesâ ministry, and others of church leadership believed the truth they possess and was filled with the living Christ as they went sharing Him everywhere. They were not moved by the changes in society, but maintained a spiritual focus and fixed life in the Lord. Peter declared, "We cannot do and speak but that we have heard and seen."
Unity of the Church under the Apostles
Those who were saved, were of one mind, and had all things common, were simply called Christians, Believers, Saints, Disciples or Members of the Faith (Acts 6:1; Acts 11:26; I Timothy 4:12; I Corinthians 12:27; Philippians. 1:1). There were no such categorical names as Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, or Pentecostals, Apostolic, etc. in the time of Jesus and the Apostles. The Believers were just what they were -- 'believers.' They practiced and believed in one Lord and one belief. They had one faith (John 17:21; I Corinthians 1:10). They did not believe in a perverted gospel and did not glorify division. In fact, they viewed division as a sinful act (I Corinthians 3:1). They believed in âOneness.â I Corinthians 1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
The Apostle's Doctrine was Fellowship and Relationship
· The Apostles gave themselves to prayer and the Word of God.
· The saints were taught to have relationship with Christ; that their faith was based upon relationship and fellowship not membership.
· The Lordâs Supper was practiced often along with feet washing among the Apostles.
· The Apostle churchâs order was a great and rewarding fellowship. In the New Testament the word "Koinonia" is translated "fellowship." The Church was first and foremost a fellowship of Believers.
Apostle Paul
Final Note on the Apostles
The New Testament makes a distinction between several distinct classes of Apostles. One of these types of apostles is no longer operating perhaps directly in the church. That is, the first apostles calling were in a direct order as the first original twelve apostles.
1. Of the original twelve apostles of Christ, Christ is the Chief Apostle. This distinct group of men who were specifically chosen first as apostles and commissioned by Christ in His earthly ministry after a night of prayer (Luke 6:12) indicates the beginning of a new age in Godâs dealing with man. They close off the age of the prophets and inaugurate the Church age, the Age of the Apostles (Matthew 19:28). In the Old Testament we find scripture being written by prophets. But, in the New Testament, the first original apostles mostly wrote the scriptures. Christ during His earthly ministry never chose a prophet, a pastor, an evangelist or a teacher. He chose only the Apostles in churchâs leadership. These post (after) ascension apostles in Ephesians chapter four tells us that at Jesusâ ascension He instituted an order of apostles and introduced an age in the church that will âbring us in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christâ (Ephesians 4:13). These are present day Apostles functioning to bring a completion of Christ Kingdomâs order, principles, pattern and ministry in the earth. Without them, there is an incompletion and paralysis in the body of the present churchâ age. They must exist for the church to come into perfection and even readiness for our Lordâs return.
2. Todayâs Apostles of Christ in the church is the leadership Godâs ordained as Jesus Christ was and is the Chief Apostle of all apostles of the ages (Hebrews 3:1). The Gospel of John is the Gospel of Jesusâ apostleship. He was sent by the Father from heaven to accomplish the divine intention (John 3:16; 20-21). Jesus as a true Apostle sent from the father was absolutely faithful to represent His Father to us (John 4:34; 5:19; 5:30; 6:38; 8:28-29,42; 12:44-45). The present Apostleâs calling is to be functioning throughout the Churchâs age or until âwe all come of the faith, certainly to the completion of the Our Lordâs Kingdomâs work upon the earth.â
The Prophet
The Recognition of the Prophet in the doctrinal order of the New Testament Church. This second order of the five fold ministry is the Prophet. He is mentioned and confirmed in the text of Ephesians, chapter four as a New Testament ministry calling. God has always had a voice in prophetic matters for Himself in the earth. Before the flood, there was Noah (Hebrews 11::7; 1 Peter 3:20) who prophesied to his generation. After the flood, there were men like Abraham (Gen. 20:7). Isaac, Joseph (Gen. 50:24) Moses (Deut. 34:10) Samuel, the Judge and who later inaugrated the school of the Prophets (II Kings 2:3-15). There were prophets named Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Obadiah, Haggai and Malachi, etc. There were end-time prophets such as Daniel, Joel and others. A prophet is Godâs mouth-piece; speaking oftimes history (prophetic things) in advance. There is a Holy Spirit mantle of the prophetic anoining which was given in the New Testament church to enable the body of believers to prophesy the Word of Jesus Christ and without this anointing and gift of the prophet, there is incompletion in Christâs New Testament church. In this brief study of the Prophet, we shall consider the prophetâs ministry in the body of the New Testamentâs Church. There are such topics as âthe gift, spirit and ministry of prophecy; study of the New Testament Prophetâs role; the orgin, direction and emphasises of todayâs prophetic ministry in the church. There are also very serious warning given to those in this ministry. The prophetic ministry must be understood as a call of God. We must study the importance of prophecy in harmony with the Word of God. Does the prophet words come to pass and is it confirmed in the mouth of others witnesses?
Spirituality in the Prophetâs ministry: Colossians 3:1-3 says, âSince we have been raised with Christ, let us seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.â As the church, our faith and affections are set on things above, not on things on the earth. The old self is dead, and our new life is hid with Christ and we seek our new life with Christ in God.â We have been raised to divine life with Christ and we now seek new creation realities which are ours and which are shared with Christ right in the heavens where Christ sits on the right hand of God the Father. We have set our ultimate desires on these heavenly realities and not on the things of the earth. The things of our old mind â our old things, our old reasoning â of our old self are replaced by this new mind in Christ. Our old self is dead and we must now put away the old mind programming. A Believerâs new life is now with the life of Jesus Christ who has become our new self. Believers are all of one spirit together in Christ and made to drink of that spiritual fountain in Him. That old circuitry of the mind that once controlled us is now under the Holy Ghostâs control. It is the Holy Spirit that will dissipate the old mind as the new mind is reprogrammed in us to conform to the image of who we really are in Christ. Romans 12:2 speaks to us, âAnd do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God.â Our old carnal minds are one of our greatest enemies in this life in the church.
The Old Testament Prophet, a spiritual mind
Since the beginning of the earth, God has always had a voice in the earth witnessing and speaking to men in spirituality. There has always been a voice speaking to men minds in spiritual things. The prophet has been a voice of God to man and have prophesied to every generation the things of God. Samuel, the prophet was used of God under his judicial leadership, to bring the ministry of the prophet into its distinction as a vital ministry among Godâs people. It was Samuel who inaugurated the schools of the prophets (II Kings 2:3-15). Samuel established the schools and created a new prophetic order of men who were educated in the Word of God, and taught these prophets how to be responsive to the voice of the spirit of God and to give reverence to Godâs leadership in their lives. The prophetâs ministry was so vital in the Old Testament days that almost every King in Israel was given a personal prophet to help direct, underscore Godâs directions in his kingship. As we notice the inter-testaments years, the prophets voices were silence and fro over 400n years there is no mention of the prophetic voice, but God as prophesied, in the fullness of time, the prophetic voice is heard and the a word from God comes to the prophet, John the Baptist (Luke 7:26-28). The New Testament church is foretold and the coming Messiah to establish this new order. Prophets begin again to come on the scene and now among men there is a ministry alive with prophetic voices. Continued in chapter eight Book "Christian Theology" Bishop J. L. Payne, Publisher 'Church House Publisher'
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