We live in times where many want to be called an apostle. But what does the Bible say about apostles? Are you one of them? You may, if this lifestyle is the motivation of your heart.
2 Timothy 1:13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Greek: Hold fast the outline or pattern of healthy word, in a world that belongs to faith and love.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound > doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Here is one way of our fulfilling all that Paul has spoken to us since the chapter began. Only the outline of the healthy words (comprised of the gospel) placed before our eyes can carry out this.
The apostle has the grave responsibility of knowing the scriptures soundly, as well as maintaining a walk of intimacy with the Lord. He or she can present and reveal the mystery of the Son of God to the church as it is found in the written word, as well manifesting Him through His ongoing works by the rhema word.
The revelation of the mystery of the gospel, as well as that of the Son of God by the apostle, must have enough richness so that believers within a local assembly can understand what is their participation and levels of involvement into the unsearchable riches of the Son of God, which are Jesus callings, giftings, and ministries to them; Hence the fellowship of the mystery.
1 Cor 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
The scriptures above in Ephesians three, eight and nine, and First Corinthians nine, one and two, tell us much about the apostolic ministry. I would like to teach the verses in Ephesians chapter three in the following manner.
I have been approached by people whom have presented our family with an offer to become part of a company that sells a host of different services to the community, all from on location. In other words I could become a person who could sell life insurance, mortgages, stocks, mutual funds, and bonds with proper training and licensing. The folks who visited us gave Mary and I an elaborate presentation of what their company offers, as well as the levels of participation in which we could get involved with them. We could simply purchase one or several of their services, or participate as a company partner in progressive levels of involvement, by selling the different products that would be offered to others. This is precisely what the fellowship of the mystery means. A mystery is what is unknown to us. In this case we knew nothing about the company. When these friends taught us the company presentation, the mystery was revealed and we understood what the company was all about. The fellowship of the mystery is our understanding of what our participation and levels of involvement could now be with the company.
The apostle primarily reveals the mystery of the Son of God through the written or logos word of God. The prophet reveals the Son of God primarily through the rhema word. Both of them functioning together provide the fullness of the revelation of the Son of God, who becomes the foundation on which any local assembly must build.
The apostle has the grave responsibility of knowing the scriptures soundly, as well as maintaining a walk of intimacy with the Lord. He or she can present and reveal the mystery of the Son of God to the church as it is found in the written word, as well manifesting Him through His ongoing works by the rhema word.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, ( architekton) I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Limited to the proportion of Christ’s labor given unto me that produced the anointing of a wise architect, the foundation I completely laid in such a way that it will have a continuing impact.
The architect himself does not work but is the leader of the workmen.
The apostle is a spiritual architect.
Lays the revelatory foundation of the person of Jesus Christ .
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
There is no other foundation that has been appointed which Jesus the Christ. The foundation is not things, but a Person.
This foundation always being the very person of Christ. His direction, His will, wisdom, gifts, power.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Foundation consisting in the apostles and prophets. Case of location, or the building up of the church must occur IN what the apostles and prophets lay.
Being built up in the Lord while resting on the revelatory foundation of the prophets and apostles. This foundation being the very person of Christ. His direction, His will, wisdom, gifts, power.
The article not before prophets shows that apostles and prophets are of the same kind of people.
2Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
The apostles and prophets are both exclusive bearers of revelation. The prophet’s revelation is progressive while the apostles can run in complete revelation based on the written word of God.
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send (apostello) my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Which shall prepare or who will lay down all of the needed gear, utensils and equipment at another’s disposal.” In this case, we furnish the Lord with a crucified life that will allow Him to operate in His wisdom and prudence through us.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
To set in order from the word “ortho” which means straight as with the orthodontist’ “one who straightens teeth.”
Ac 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
To set straight besides or after. To arrange what was left after Paul’s departure.
Epidiorthoo .To what remains to be set in order.
Wanting the things that are failing, lagging or, inferior.
Ordain: To appoint or set down in every office.
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Indeed the signs of an apostle were worked out in the realm of all endurance; both by signs and wonders, and works of God’s dunamis (miracles)
Signs: The miracle from the point of view that gives proof to the reality of God, and to the authenticity of the apostle as a sent ambassador of God commissioned with His credentials.
Wonders: The same miracle from the point of view of its startling, astonishing, amazing qualities, which the world beholds, and causes it to believe in God.
Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached( I have filled up the gospel) the gospel of Christ.
It is important for us to be aware that if we are to do our part in filling up the gospel of Christ it will never be accomplished through our mere preaching of God’s word. The gospel must be proclaimed in the power of the signs and wonders that accompany our spiritual gifts.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
The apostle Paul always categorizes apostles and prophets together. They are in the same class because their revelatory functions in many ways are similar. Ephesians chapter three, verses four and five tells us that apostles and prophets have been specifically called to a ministry of revealing the mystery of God, which is the person of Christ into a local body. Though every believer has been called to reveal the Person of Christ through their ministries, the revelatory anointing in apostolic and prophetic people is especially emphasized. When the prophetic flow is curtailed or prohibited in our assemblies, we in fact cut our own necks off. The revelation of the Person of Jesus Christ is crippled at best.
Jose and Mary Alvarez 