1. You Are Apostolic

When considering the 5 gifts of Christ to the Church listed in Ephesians 4:11 it often seems to me that the outcomes are more important than the actual title. And yet the outcome of the Apostle has it seems been misunderstood.

Each of the gifts is given to the church for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. Ephesians 4: 12. That being the case it should look like this:

The Pastor should equip the saints to be pastoral

The Teacher should equip the saints to be able to teach and learn (more on this later in series)

The Prophet should equip the saints to be prophetic

The Evangelist should equip the saints to be evangelistic

Surely therefore The Apostle should equip the saints to be apostolic.

However my experience is that when asked most believers say that they are not apostolic believing that apostolic is a description of the Apostle rather than the outcome of being led and influenced by an Apostle.

In many respects that misunderstanding is the reason behind and purpose for this series of blogs. An apostolic move of God requires that all realise and embrace their designation as being sent ones, sent by Jesus.

Perhaps the problem is that you have not found ‘your’ Apostle yet but even then you can find your Apostle in the first Apostle: Hebrews 3:1. Jesus is the SENT ONE, the first Apostle and every other apostle after him should equip the saints to be apostolic. In other words the saints (that’s all of us) are sent from heaven to earth to make earth look, sound, believe and behave like heaven.

So if Jesus is your personal savior, then you are apostolic as you will be influenced by him and want to live like him.

Whatever your position in the church you are apostolic, it doesn’t make you an apostle but it is the purpose of the gift of Christ to the church. We will continue to explore this throughout the series.We are ALL the ‘sent ones’, the ‘apostolic ones’, whoever we are whatever we do, wherever we go in the name of Jesus and in pursuit of the increase of His Kingdom into every sphere, place of influence, and geographical location.

 

We need Apostles, and if they do what they are assigned to do, then they will ensure that we all develop an apostolic mindset and corresponding behaviours and beliefs.

Here are some questions to help you process this teaching:

LEARN: What is your Key Learning Point?

DO: As a result is there something which you will do differently?

SEE: In what way might you see life or circumstances differently?

DECLARE: What will you declare over your life?

This blog is part of a series.

SENT: Series Link