Leadership

---

The importance of the Apostles in the Church cannot be overstated. While some say the function of this office is obsolete in the modern church era, the fact is, the church was established on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. When a building is erected, the foundation is never discarded it is built upon and holds the structure in place. This is the role of an Apostle; to lay the foundation and to build upon it. A church without functioning Apostles is like a building with no foundation, it simply will not stand.

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”. Ephesians 7, 8, 11, 12 NIV

He came with a radical message of liberty, truth, and transformation. He filled the definition of an Apostle to the fullest extent. Then, He ascended to heaven, out of sight, but not out of mind. The above passage of scripture informs that when He did ascend, He gave the gifts of what is commonly known as the Five Fold Ministry. These are the gift of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. Just like the starting five on a basketball team, each of these offices has a distinct function and purpose. Take a look at your right hand. Each digit has a specific function and your hand would be considered lame, withered, or malfunctioning without one of them; so it is with the Body of Christ. The gifts, or offices, that make up the Five Fold Ministry are each given to a specific purpose within the leadership of the Body of Christ. (The term Body of Christ is used to reflect the church as a whole, rather than the local assembly). Ephesians 2:19-20 gives the following statement regarding Apostles, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” This verse reflects the importance and role of an Apostle. Apostles, along with Prophets, serve as the foundation of the house of God, or Body of Christ.

Before the foundation of a building is laid, the ground must first be prepared. The preparation process is one in which the rocky, fallow ground must be tilled, dug up, and purged so the concrete or other material used for the foundation can be laid properly. The Apostles’ responsibility is to preach a message that will cause the hard ground of bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, and the like to be purged from the hearts of the people so that the foundation of the Gospel of the Kingdom can be laid. As a result of this function, Apostles are seen as hard, tough, and strict. Due to such a distinction, many denominations within the Body of Christ have downplayed the necessity of Apostles and relegated them to times past. Just as the foundation of a building is under appreciated, stepped on, and overlooked, so are Apostles. When people enter a house, an office, or shopping mall, they do not admire the firmness and solidity of its foundation. The decorum and tapestry are noted and revered while the foundation is taken for granted. Yet, never in a building of any kind does the owner decide that the foundation is no longer needed, quite the opposite is true. Much attention and care is given to the foundation of a house or other structure. While the walls, floor, and ceiling are important to any building, without the foundation in place, they cannot stand.

Glance once more at your hand. Now, fold your thumb inward so that it lays flat against your palm. Holding your hand in this manner, attempt for ten minutes to go about your daily business. It is quite difficult, isn’t it? That is the state of the church without functioning Apostles. The Five Fold Ministry is said to represent the hand of God. Remember the words in Ephesians 4:12 that give the overall purpose of these gifts. They are to build up and equip the Body of Christ. Just as your hand is not able to fulfill its full potential without a thumb, neither can the ministry gifts that God has given His church fulfill their potential if their necessity and purpose is disregarded.

Over the last ten to fifteen years, the Body of Christ has seen the role of the Apostle become prominent once again. These true Apostles that are called and ordained of God are not glory seeking, nor do they revere status as any big thing. Rather, their effects are seen in the lives of the people to which they minister. Individuals that were once in a perpetually downtrodden state are now able to hold their head high. People that once saw no purpose in life and teetered on the verge of suicide, now see clearly that they were created for a purpose. Churches and denominations that once rejected the authority of Apostles now incorporate their teaching and doctrine in order to build strong ministries. Ministries that in years past were barely staying afloat have seen a rise in power with the welcoming of Apostles. Areas that were once deemed the ‘other side of town’ by religious institutions are now being ministered to with the life altering message that Apostles deliver.

No Apostle that is truly called of God dares take credit alone for the shaking that now occurs within the Body of Christ. It is a result of each office functioning properly and fulfilling the role they were designed to fill. It is as each office and each gift is recognized and allowed to flow freely that walls of discrimination and barriers of resistance will continue to fall. Though they may go unnoticed, the Apostle will yet continue to be walked upon, fulfilling his purpose.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE