We must always remember at all times, that this calling and gifting was given for the edifying of the Church, and not for personal fame and glory. There have been many occasions where I have seen the Lord Jesus, but one occasion really stands out to me as the day He called me to be an apostle. Eph 4:11 lists apostles as part of the 5-fold gifts of the church and fundamental to the Church growing in unity and maturity in Christ, and building up the rest of the church body. Im so touched that this post answered you. When Samson turned his attention away from God to Delilah, he cried out to God, and even though his hair had been cut off, he got his strength back. I hope it blesses you! (NKJV). APOSTOLIC CHURCHES . The Apostolic is not the work of men and so cannot come to nought. grace and anointing. I also liked the phrase, The anointing is crucial to the work of Kingdom Building. Yes, this is absolutely important. There's not much on this in books so I've been searching and praying over the Scriptures about this and I discovered 7 characteristics of apostles. There are certain dimensions of apostolic characteristics locked in Cyrus as a type of the apostolic. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. anointing, rhema and visions that nothing on the face of the earth or in hell will ever be able to overcome them. It might even be possible that the Lord has called you to an apostolic ministry, but you have not faced sufficient preparation yet to be ready for this phase. When we are anointed, we are able to do the things that God has called us to do. An apostle is always open and subject to the Holy Spirit, and also subject to True Servants of the Lord, which include Pastors . Lets be authentic in our anointing, and lets see what God will do through us! Well, Lets start with some questions shall we? Abstract. Job 29:6-17. . It was the beginning of an era where the heart of the Church began beating once again towards God and began to seek the Lord for change and revival. If you could identify with these points, then it is clear that the Lord has called you to an apostolic ministry. The person called to function in the ministry office of Prophet works with the apostolic and other five-fold ministries to strategically bring the Church into a place of maturity and right functioning. Excellent points all backed by scripture! Just as Jesus went to the cross and faced death for us, so also will you be called time and time again to face sufferings and to overcome them for the sake of others. He was correct in knowing that he was called, but not until his conversation did he know his place and purpose. God bless you! The more connected you are to the Holy Spirit, the more connected you are to God. Jesus knew He was the son of God from very young. This is what makes the apostle stand out! I am afraid that this is a great price for one to be called an apostle, and if you find yourself having a need to be accepted or recognized, then you are about to find out that being separated is part and parcel of the apostolic calling. There was no doubt in his mind that he was anointed! How can we break the yoke? THE OX ANOINTING. Now to you, it might seem that the Lord was being harsh with this man. Just as in the time when Jesus called His original disciples, so He continues to call unto Himself His apostles so that He might present them as a gift to His church. Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (NKJV), Les has a quote that I think perfectly describes the point I am going to expand on here. It was a fresh outpouring of apostolic grace that transformed a quivering wreck of eleven men and propelled them into . There were the 12 Apostles and Paul. You may begin with an apostolic orientation, but your early judgments are likely to be based on your own ideas and preconceived notions. Walking in the prophetic anointing also requires us to live a life of consecration, prayer and fasting, so we can maintain the presence of God in our lives. There is a common translation of Isaiah 10:27 that people often misquote. The Apostle Paul, called himself a spiritual father to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:11): For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.. (Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh, the Apostolic Church, Ghana) "apostolic characteristics, (volume 1 of 6)", is a cutting edge book dealing with the ascension gift which is going to be used of the lord to turn the church and the world's attention to the divinity of jesus christ. A true leader is one that takes responsibility for his actions and the actions of others. . Paul describes false apostles in 2 Corinthians 11 by saying that: They commend themselves and boast beyond proper limits. To be set apart means to be appointed. Another fire burns in you, and you will indeed find yourself separated. I explain how God speaks to me and guides me and I feel like they think Im making things up I realise my relationship with God is unique (not lifting myself up at all) God has given me a task which is so tangible so it can be quite lonely but God always reminds me he is with me, Lastly as much I hear God very clear regularly there is a lot of pain involved I dont really know how it works but I endure a lot of pain and hardship. If you dedicate yourself to this calling and accept what is being offered to you, then know that the price of your pride, of your zeal, of your emotion, and of your strengths and weaknesses will be required of you. We have become the scum of the earth. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things in the which I will yet reveal to you. I want to thank God for present day apostles, and I thank God for calling me with that anointing upon my life, I glory not in the title, but rather in the God that called me, that is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You can no longer see yourself as a regular churchgoer. The apostle is as a master builder who will look at a structure and notice all its weak points. Dr. Naim Collins is an emerging leader and catalyst with an apostolic heart and prophetic voice. Immediately my heart was enlarged. Being brought up in the Jewish tradition and trained by the greatest Jewish teachers of his day, the Lord sent Paul to the Gentiles! They are willing to do whatever God asks of them, even if its difficult or challenging. That passion was to complete his doctorate and to wear the title Dr. in front of his name. You are honored, we are dishonored! Knowing Gods will and purpose for your life is essential to living a truly anointed life. Apostles have some basic characteristics that are essential to the fulfillment of the call upon their lives. characteristics of an apostolic anointing. Today many profit from the Gospel but this is not a true apostle. They get . The Eagle symbolizes leadership. And this is why anointing is so important it connects us to our gifts and purpose. The Apostolic is led by the Holy Spirit. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed Luke 4:18. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. Theres not much on this in books so Ive been searching and praying over the Scriptures about this and I discovered 7 characteristics of apostles. The power of the Holy Spirit is alive and active in an anointed persons life. We need to understand that it takes a lot to get us to where God wants us to be. Amos speaks specifically and mostly to the Northern Kingdom of his day. Thank you so much for highlighting the portion of the post that spoke to you. This was the beginning of a movement. It simply means that you have been called, chosen and appointed with one of the five-fold calling, given to the church for the perfecting of the Saints. To begin with, I would like to make it clear that the call to the apostolic ministry does not come in a grand announcement where all of the world can see it. An apostle is always open and subject to the Holy Spirit, and also subject to True servants of the Lord which include Pastors, Teachers, Missionaries and Prophets. Paul knew this well, and the greatest price for him was to let go of his achievements and great learning. They exude peace, joy, and love, and others can feel it when theyre around them.6. No true apostle of God is ever proud. I ask that you give it up for me. This was a painful decision for this man to make. Do you have a sense that God is leading you in a particular direction? The fires of apostolic preparation will strip you of everything you are, and the molding of apostolic training will change you into a new image. He gave everything else up to the Lord and even went into ministry full-time, but this is one thing he desired more than anything. Unknown and without the support of any denomination,but later supported by many individuals and local churches,he built up what became the largest Protestant missionary organisation of his day. These characteristics enable them to do what The Lord has called them to accomplish. Many people assume that Samsons hair gave him his anointing. Who could have prepared Abraham for the sacrifice of Isaac? The idea is that the anointing is an outpouring of God's power to accomplish a task through the anointed one. As time went on though, I overcame each phase of opposition, and I grew stronger until such accusations did not move me any longer. As believers joyfully shared the gospel and ministered in power, the church exploded in size and influence. God spoke to me by his Spirit and I was no longer dumb. Thirdly, prophets are meant to 'equip the saints for the . Obedience is key for an anointed person. When David was anointed, he was set apart as the next king of Israel. I remember an illustration that my father, Les, shared with me once. Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, (NKJV). When he went to the Lord in prayer, he said to the Lord, Lord I desire more of you and I am prepared to pay any price for it. The answer he received was not what he had expected. And so the rest, as they say is history! Another element in the book of Acts church was the prophetic ministry. When someone was anointed, it meant that they had been given Gods power and blessing to lead His people. 2 Corinthians 1:6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Notes 1George Otis. 48:10 "10 Cursed be he who does the work of the Lord negligently [with slackness, deceitfully]; and cursed be he who keeps back his sword from blood [in executing . He just smiled and said to me, I faced the same thing when you were a child. By feeding our spirit (not flesh), reading the word of God, etc. 11 To the present time hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.. Why? So, it wasnt the hair that gave him strength! You will find that the call to apostleship will cost you more than just your life. Apostles were in place when the early church was birthed. He dedicated his life to God, but there still lacked that something. They were special and were the foundations of the Early Church. You are either called, or you are not. ( 11 ) $4.99. Each apostolic type is named after a biblical apostle who best illustrates it. Both Whitefield and Harris wrote many documents to explain how the societies they had founded should run and defended core Gospel truths vigorously. They also disciple and pass it onto others. You may be able to identify with all of them, maybe you will not. God spoke to me by his Spirit and I was no longer dumb, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others, God has placed me as a father among you and speaks now through me. They dont put on a false persona or try to be someone theyre not. People often say, The anointing breaks the yoke. However, if you look at the KJV, it actually says the anointing destroys the yoke. I understand where you mentioned, I personally sometimes weep for the lost. I feel this as well- in regards to the people Im called to. However, as you pit your muscles against that weight time and time again, your muscles grow in strength until you can lift a greater weight. May God bless you abundantly! Have you ever tried lifting weights to tone up your muscles? You are distinguished, but we are dishonored. I stood up knowing that God had called me. Why couldnt the Lord just let him have the doctorate? Discipleship and the heart of a servant are important to anointed people.9. The anointing is crucial to the work of Kingdom Building. The apostle seeks to know the truth for himself. . Do you find people are drawn to you without you having to do anything? The act of anointing someone with oil was a sign of Gods blessing and favor. We know this to be true from the early accounts of the early Christians. I see myself as a humble servant of the Lord Jesus. At first glance, this seems like a strange comment. You are not complacent or satisfied with how the church is run, and you burn with a greater vision. When we seek to determine what qualities an apostles has, it is not skills, talents, abilities and things they "do" that we examine as much as it is of "who they are," and what type of people they are. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27. Well, that man could have had his doctorate and sacrificed the anointing for it, but he came to realize that this doctorate was something that he could boast in and not something the Lord could boast in. He does not just accept anything everyone says, but listens and then seeks his own revelation and conviction. So, you can imagine how he must have felt when the Lord said to him, The one thing I require of you is your doctorate. I remember doing a study on the dark ages in a history class once. Yet even in his sin, Paul hungered for God. (Acts 4:33) The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ enables what was previously impossible to be made possible. One of the most evident characteristics of the Apostolic anointing is that of HUMILITY. Anointing is also a sign of Gods love and compassion. Your email address will not be published. However, first lets look at why I believe apostles exist today. Is it when he decides it is a good idea? But I have come to know that if it had not been for those hard times you had to face, that you would never have grown up into what you have become in the Lord.. Anointing will also give you discernment so that you can know the difference between truth and deception. Its almost like God tests me regularly to see my heart and in the process he teaches me to rely on him, I really havent got the time to elaborate but that was in interesting article you wrote & thank you. He will equip you for the work ahead. I always strive to yield fully to the Spirit of God, and these comments keep me going. It can also refer to the power or presence of God that is given to someone in order to enable them to fulfill their calling. Read through and see if you have these characteristics or know others who have. First, I like the series title, Fresh Oil Anointing. This is super important for everyone to know! The call to the apostolic ministry is not a simple matter of having a ministry of prophecy or compassion; it is a call to the highest ministry office and as a result comes with the greatest price. 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