A Personal, Practical, & Present Look at Present Truth Apostles
Dr. Tim and Theresa Early
Dedicated to the Apostolic Spirit and its massive movements & divine saturation across the earth.
In the global apostolic dimension we often hear of the increased momentum of apostles emerging in diversity of expression. Some in such degree demonstrating the present dimension of the kingdom with signs and wonders, while others, which are more particularly characterized and graced to teach and to impart the word with a strong foundational and governmental anointing. We also hear too, of apostles now leading the way for the corporate Christ {the saints} to enter into a bold new realm and dimension of destiny, with apostles being recognized in virtually every major stream of the marketplace.
With divine movements, messages, and ministries apostles are coming forth in an accelerated thrust for the reshaping of the church into the accurate patterns of the kingdom and in what the Spirit of the Lord is NOW saying in what HE has already said and spoken in times past {1 John 2:7-8; 2 Peter 1:12}.
In such dimension of glory we affirm that present truth apostles with prophets bring to the table so-to-speak, the very divine intentions, plans, and purposes of God and the strategies through wisdom to execute such dimensions of ministry; as wise master-builders, reconstructing the present position of the church into the ongoing and progressive rhythm and revelation that the corporate body is the habitation of God {throughout all the ends of the earth}, and that the Lord is bringing new meaning within the saints to the expansion of HIS mansion in all appointed spheres of HIS grace and glory{John 14:2-3}.
True, there is a valid expression, ministry, and dimension of the Spirit to those whom the Lord calls, anoints, and appoints to apostleship. But bear in mind, it is not alone the presence of one publicly being affirmed as an apostle. For beneath the fanfare of many exclaiming that apostles are most important in the overall scheme of things, the truth of the matter is, apostles are still everyday people.
For one thing, apostles suffer and endures hardship as any other, with the clearest distinction in that an apostle's suffering is tied in to the inter-connectivity of other present truth apostles and the processes needed to transition the saints into new corporate dimensions and dynamics of present truth.
It is also tied into the eternal purpose for which God raises up present truth apostles to pioneer new migrations, revelations, and global saturation's in example, precept, and in demonstration of the Spirit. And, that an apostle's suffering is tied into the corporate destiny of the saints as apostles {with prophets} set the tone, pace, and corporate and regional development of the establishing of the church on a solid foundation into the active rhythm and momentum of the Spirit to change our world through DOMINION {Mandate}, the global influence of the Spirit, the first great commissioning of Genesis 1:26, 28.
Further meaning, apostles in the corporate overall meaning is given to bear the wounds and the sufferings of the body of Christ, as true apostolic suffering releases true apostolic reigning as servant leaders, producing leaders by birthright, something of which Esau fell short of. The core dynamic here is that apostles transfer the present dimension of the kingdom into the corporate glory of the saints to launch forward their mentalities into a spirit of acquisition, ascertaining, acquiring, and apprehending bold new pioneering progressions which leads the global saints into corporate destiny.
Apostles are not guaranteed an easy ride, nor should they expect one. True, they can learn from the mistakes and misfortunes of others and from their own personal sphere. But apostles are not designed to simply avoid every {so-called} negative instance or misshaping in their life, nor is it to be assumed that every negative {apparent} particle is not ordained of God...
Many have perceived in through their own convictions or reasoning's that apostles are immune to hurt, criticism, suffering, and rejection. But there is no golden rule or blanket statement which defines apostles as androids or something of which, cannot be touch with the feeling of infirmities. Apostles are not as the Robot of the famed Dr. Smith in the 1960's hit TV series "Lost In Space." For I admit that apostles have genuine feelings and should express them in loving and more healthier ways...
So, when you think about it, apostles have challenges and confrontations {including Controversies}, too, but should not wear their emotions on their shoulders like a car with a flat tire driving slowly on the shoulder of the road. Neither should apostles carry a chip {or a bolder} on their shoulders to make an inordinate point through their warped curiosity. Apostles do not give audience to the voices of this present age, nor do they turn in the towel after experiencing what seems to be the most harrowing and humiliating of personal situations, or to become situated in the situation.
But one thing is for certain, present truth apostles continue to reaffirm the Christ and His finished work. They activate the saints into the resonating present truth of justification to glorification, from sin to SON, from conception to perfection, and the cross to the throne. Present truth pioneering and front-line apostles forge ahead regardless of the persecution, and are not recorded scripturally with a retreat and evacuation plan mentality with a written escape clause therein.
Apostles will be open to others either to share the depths of their heart or for appointed others to pour into them. True apostles will never assume that they are beyond counsel, impartation, or prayer. For the key to their authority in the corporate body is not in their authority itself, but in the mutual divine relationships which helps to lend authenticity to their life for being open to others in true accountability structures. It is in part, according to their divine purpose and appointment in God, their obedience in the faith, and a completely surrendered will unto the Lord...
THE MAKING OF APOSTLES
According to the scriptures, Abraham was MADE a father to many nations, a father of a multitude. How? Through the developmental process of being made. Yes beloved, he was a "MADE" man, even as Jacob was created and Israel was formed. Isaiah 43:1
Abram was not to fulfill the promise, but Abraham was. Not even Sarai, but Sarah. For a name denotes a nature {name change, nature change}, and more than we care to admit, the inner workings and dealings of the Lord will lead to an outworking of HIS intended and divine purpose, not merely to get busy to do lots of things, but to BECOME new things in HIM. For in Revelation 1:10 it literally states, "I BECAME SPIRIT" and beloved, it is in the BECOMING...
The same with Ezekiel, a priest whom became a prophet, who, out of the vision of the Lord in Ezekiel chapter one, beholds a man, a wheel within a wheel, a people within a people, a nation within a nation, and a man within the making of the man. For out of all the fire and unfolding events of the vision, there emerges a man, a four-faced ministry, four, being the number of the earth, complete in HIM from all points or corners thereof. From the Man, the Lion, the Ox, and the Eagle of Ezekiel chapter 1, to the promotion and exaltation of the Ox to BECOMING a Cherub in Ezekiel chapter 10, the making of a minister is the making of a man...
For I think that God has set forth apostles last, as men appointed to death: for we are MADE a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable {have glory}, and we are despised.
Even unto this present hour we hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place. We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless being persecuted, we SUFFER it.
Being defamed, we entreat {or pray}: we are MADE as filth of the world, and are the off scouring {brushed all around, off-scrapings} of all things unto this day. 1st Corinthians 4:9-13.
Welcome to the life of an apostle.
There is a song I would like to sing to you all with the same tune from the Oscar Myer Weiner song from many years ago. If you know this song in tune and beat, then you will easily sing with me right now this same tune with the following words...Bear in mind, this is a sense of humor which conveys deeply if our motives are to simply want in our own aspiration, motivation, gut feelings, and strength to be an apostle...but...here goes the song below.
O, I want to be an Apostolic Leader
That is what I truly want to be...eee...eee
And if I were an Apostolic Leader
Everyone would be in love with me...
{Write me and tell me what you think...smile...}
For many, the idea is to become a great apostle, to be in the shoes of an apostle with the distorted notion that apostles are top dog, big cheese, and more, and that being an apostle merits all of this electrifying attention to their illustrious leadership. It is believed by more than some, that apostles get bigger and better breaks, a comprehensive benefit package which rivals the executives of Fortune 500 and 1000 firms, and are expected to live a cut above all others for their apostolic leadership.
The sad or glad commentary here {depending on how you view this}, is that nothing can be no farther than TRUTH...
Jesus came to serve, and not to be seen. Jesus came to give LIFE, not take life. Jesus came to show the way, not to be showy or show out his own importance...
There is no place in the work of the ministry to flaunt, tease, or taunt, or to toot our own horn that we, or others as apostles, are here to save the day, indispensable, and a force of one all unto our own selves. Apostles are servants of the Lord, and are never to lose sight of servant leadership no matter what people make apostles to be. Truth is, the Making is of the Lord, and requires HIS breaking. If HE makes you, he will challenge things in our life to be shaken, and removed. If we are given as HIS servants of leadership, then there must be a true LEADER-SHIFT in His appointed and emerging leaders...
It is one thing to be apostolic like, but it is another thing to be apostolic in LIFE. Many saints want to be Christ-like, but there is a dimension of the Spirit to be Christ-LIFE...2 Timothy 1:10; John 1:4; Romans 5:17;
True, all apostles experience differing degrees of tests, making and shaking, sifting and shifting; but never underestimate {nor undermine} the character development for each. Whether one was threatened with death, placed into prison for life, or is experiencing bad health, just remember, a test yields forth a testimony, and in your worse mess there is a message. For it is simply a test of the emergency broadcasting system...Smile, God the Father has in mind just what you need to manifest the fullness of HIS glory through you. He has picked us out to be picked on, as fruit from the tree. Ah, but He also pick up, and puts forth, so that we can bring forth fruit, more fruit, and much fruit...30, 60, 100
Like John the revelator, a man sentenced to a slow death, the Lord used the opportunity of Patmos to squeeze every bit of juice needed from him. For you can eat ten apples in a row and come up with {flatulence} a bloated stomach, or you can get the essence thereof by juicing it.
As our spiritual - ministry son apostle Luis Chavez of Southern California says, "When you peel and Orange, you get to squeeze the juice and essence out of the orange, but when you peel away and squeeze forth the juice of an apostle, you get "Signs, Wonders, Miracles, and more!"
And beloved, that is what the Lord is doing with his apostles. In Isaiah 46:11, he is squeezing us into shape, through a press {or process}, through something narrow, even that which vexes {Can you receive this beloved?}.
Yes beloved, "Purpose" here is "Yatsar," God's dealings with {and IN} us, and it makes no sense to attempt to circumvent the process, or to short change it through complaining {equals remaining}, grumbling, griping, and blaming God for our so-called demise. Go ahead, give it your best shot, and you may experience a self induced headache... but there is an appointment of the Lord, the day of the oven, where every man is tried and roasted with fire. Its unavoidable, irrevocable, and certainly, painful at times. But, we have the 4th Man in the fire. Say amen somebody!
There is the foundation of stone tried in Isaiah 28:16. A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. For in order that the stone be found precious and sure, it must first be tried.
James 2:2. The trying of our faith works or produces patience and endurance. Patience is to have its perfect and complete work in us, and, if we lack patience, then perhaps we need to pray with you for TRIBULATION. For tribulation works patiences, patience experience or proof, experience hope, and somebody says they hope they never experience anything like that enduring process again. lol...Romans 5
Not forgetting, there is the supper of the great God, the complete consummation and destruction of the flesh. And guess whose coming to dinner? Better yet, guess whose on the menu? - Ah... {Revelation 19:17-18}...
Give no offense in anything that the ministry is not blamed. But in ALL THINGS approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in PATIENCE {2 Corinthians 12:12 - What's the first sign of an apostle?}, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. In stripes, in imprisonment's, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting {in hunger}: By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. By honor and dishonor {disagreement}, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true. As unknown {hello}, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live. As chastened, and not killed. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, YET MAKING MANY RICH; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor. 6:3-10...
Once Again, Welcome To The Life Of An Apostle
It is more than having your presence seen, felt, and heard in the annual conference or convocation, much more than having 350 ministry sons to affirm your apostolic fatherhood with an array of gifts to lavish their spiritual dad. It has nothing to do with how important we think you are. But it has everything to do with the FATHER OF SPIRITS THAT WE MAY LIVE, and in the ordained buffeting, chastening, scourging, disciplining, and correction of the Lord, to bring his true apostles into a place of total obedience and in the purity of the motive of the kingdom - L.O.V.E.
And beloved, how do apostles learn obedience? Through the principle of Jesus the pattern Son, who learned obedience through the things he suffered or endured. He is the pattern, not a parenthetical plan...
Yes beloved, in being esteemed as present truth apostles, what is it producing? What are we BE-coming, and where is it taking the corporate dimension of the saints? Will apostles or those whom assume the role become largely defined for their gifting only, or do we embrace them in the deeper aspects of their call, too, which is more manhood than ministry? {Jesus' manhood for 30 years, and ministry 3 1/2}.
Knowing full well that apostles suffer in various degrees, and are pioneering ministries {men as trees} with front-line confrontation, let us look now at some of the characteristics and preparations of apostles from a practical application
A - Apostles possess the qualities of elders...1 Timothy 3:1-9; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2. They are noted in the areas of moral character, domestic, spiritual, and ministry capacities & qualifications.
B - Apostles are people of humility...They do not walk in vain or self-glory...1 Corinthians 4:9; Philippians 2:5; Acts 20:19; Proverbs 15:33...
C - Apostles will have a serving heart...{Heart of a servant - Jesus came to serve through agape and brokenness}...Romans 1:1...
D - Apostles will have patience...2 Corinthians 12:12, apostolic criterion. Core Leadership Characteristics...
E - Apostles will maintain scriptural integrity, rightly handling the word of truth...Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:15 {The word and the Spirit in oneness, the proceeding word, the quickening nature of the Spirit, not letter, law, legalism, bondage, or the fruit of King Saul}.
F - Apostles will be seasoned in leadership and testimony...Does not have a desperate and clinging need to be needed, or in being an emotional approval addict. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 1 Corinthians 4:9- 13...
G - Apostles through reciprocating and mutual appointed relationships will walk in a fresh dimension of spiritual authority. Their ministry is not authority driven, but relationship based, even though perceived in greater grace for spiritual authority. 2 Corinthians 1:24; 2 Cor. 10:8; 1 Corinthians 4:21...
H - Apostles will have the heart of a father and will admonish. Though they function in a sphere of grace to correct, remember, correction is not rejection but is direction as my dear friend Apostle Richard Wright lovingly shares from his book, "Not Many Fathers, the Restoration of Divine Order..." Also, correction is not to be overused, or to become an overkill, otherwise, it could lead to abuse if inordinately handled among senior leaders. For the chief aspect of admonition over correction is encouragement.
I - Apostles will have a deeply committed love, loyalty, and respect for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, local and universal, characterized by unselfishness, with more love for the corporate body at large than his own ministry. Their core values and progressive momentum is the Kingdom of God, the local and global church {assemblies}, and the maturing of the saints...1 Corinthians 13...Here, people perceive the grace on their lives and sow honor as they are blessed to receive from fatherly apostles... Malachi 1:6; Philippians 4:17-19...
Ministry Of An Apostle
1 - Apostles are given for the founding and establishing of the church on a proper and strong foundation. They are the wise master builders of 1 Corinthians 3:9-14; Ephesians 2:20-22... Anyone can start a church, but it takes apostles to establish them on a sure foundation...2 Timothy 2:19; Ezra 6:3, 14; Isaiah 28:16...
2 - Apostles have a world or global vision for the whole body of Christ. Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:17-18; Isaiah 14:26-27; Acts 10. Though this apostolic {prophetic} vision speaks into local and regional assemblies, apostles have a sense of what God is saying and doing worldwide.
3 - Apostles are given in the Spirit to scriptural clarity with revelatory insight and foresight {2 Timothy 3:16} and "This is that...Acts 2:42 {Present Truth...2 Peter 1:12}
4 - Apostles are involved in Church Discipline and apostolic judgment. They do not have leadership and authority in all assemblies, but their authority is limited. Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5; There is no such thing as being "THE" {Restricted leadership equals the Fix It Man} Apostle to the whole wide world...
5 - . Apostles are given to preach and teach the word. With apostles, there is a different dimension of grace and anointing to preach and teach, not devaluing any other of course for their frequency and emission of kingdom signals, grin.... According to John 7:16, Jesus did not preach his own doctrine, but of Him that apostello {sent} him. Meaning, when apostles speak, it launches the mentality of the saints into a whole new sphere and dimensional shifting for kingdom advancement. As in any of the ascension ministries, each plays their vital role and strategic part as "Synergy is the principle of the importance of the collective whole as oppose to the individual sum or part."
It is true that one can have an overlapping of apostle - pastoral ministry, and must exercise wisdom in both apostolic and pastoral dimensions. But he or she is simply one person among others, that's it. Just the same, the Lord will be to and through you whatever HE needs to be...always recognize the greater and lesser anointings in your life, and the greater and lesser revelations you are given to. Although we all are men and women of God, we are not THE man of God for everything, and in everything...
6 - Apostles are given for the preparation and placement of other elders in the corporate body. From salutations, affirming and ordaining elders, recognizing strategic ministry gifts, inspired messages to the assemblies and regional leadership, it is always relationship based...2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 16:1-4; 13:5; Philippians 2:19-25
7 - Apostle's ministry involves the signs thereof according to 2 Corinthians 12:12. In God's way, direction, time, place, and pace. No legalism for apostles to perform, just flow and move with the cloud and not with the cloud...
8 - Apostles are given to the body for the affirming and ordination of elders and deacons. Licensing was not a part of the early church, rather... ordination. Eldership is primarily a ruling function {still a servant of the Lord}, and deacon is definitely a serving function. Deacons do not rule in the church. They rule at home. Acts 6:1-6; 14:23;1 Timothy 3
9 - Apostles are given at large to recognize, raise, and to release seasoned, trained, fruitful, mature, and proven - healthy ministry in the corporate body of Christ. Apostle of the Spirit today ordains elders to sets in order the things which are lacking in the region, which is solid leadership based on the Moses - Jethro Principle of Exodus 18... Colossians 4:7-12; Titus 1:5-7...
The Apostolic and Prophetic brings {more than} a view of the kingdom. It involves apostolic strategies and global apostolic reformation. For a kingdom mentality is a global {regional} mentality, and global apostolic mentality is the mind of the Lord for planet earth. That is the difference between the old creation of mere itinerant preaching {and the securing of preaching dates just to preach} to the transitioning of mentalities from church to kingdom. Here, it is the great commission versus the great commotion, Babel versus Bethel. Not alone the house of God, but the GOD of the House...
10 - Apostles are given to impart fatherhood and apostolic wisdom, bringing the stability of the kingdom into a present position of impartation, and not as a one man preaching dimension only. For in the mouth of 2 even 3 witnesses, every WORD is established. Now many can preach it, but fewer can impart it. This principle is connected to the Ancient of Days, the wool hair and hoary head of the Lord, a word for the church and the times that we are living in, and the mandated authority of the Spirit to take the saints into the appointed times of the Lord ahead...Proverbs 1:7; 2:10-11; 3:13; 4:7; 9:1; 24:2-3; 2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 John 2:13-14
11 - Apostles are given by the Lord to set His house in Order...1 Corinthians 7:17; 11:34; 16:1-2...need we mention again, "Divine Order equals Divine Presence?" God blesses his order. One can proclaim being blessed yet be out of divine order, but when we come into HIS divine Order, we can't help but to be blessed!"
12 - The ministry of apostles is given to the supernatural dimension of signs, wonders, miracles, and mighty deeds. Whether the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, the laying on of hands, the activation of saints in receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or revelation knowledge, an apostle's function may vary, with greater degrees for one and lesser degree for another. Embedded in the original pattern and order {or DNA} of apostles in the book of Acts {Activation} are miracles, capsuled within the very nature of what apostles are given for. As it is now witnessed, a number of apostles are experiencing the raising of the dead and creative miracles in America where limbs and organs now appear.
I have enjoyed and embraced this dimension of ministry for quite some time, and always anticipate God's glory in any way HE defines and designs in appointed meetings.
It is very important for apostles to define the higher anointing in their life, and the greater and lesser grace the Lord will use them in, AND {smile}, defining the Mood of the Spirit in each meeting they are appointed to flow fluently in. That way, we will not become familiar to our own strengths and weaknesses like Samson did, shaking himself as other times if the occasion would merit - too late of course! 1 Timothy 4:14; Romans 1:11; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:6
Benefits Of Having Apostles In The Corporate Life Of The
In Assemblies, kingdom businesses, marketplace ministries, and in all of the developmental process stages of apostolic growth, there is the sifting and shifting of the true apostle from the false, and the mature apostle from the novice. For immaturity is not necessarily impurity, and all novices are not to be classified as pseudo, or not the real thing.
If you are an apostle, and are called to pioneer a new destiny among the saints, don't let it get to your head. Rather, let it all go to your Sovereign HEAD {Ephesians 4:15}, and let Christ magnify himself through you. No apostle is an apostle because of mere self-election. No present truth apostle is going to wear it as some title {titular} or security blanket, or insist on being called and proclaimed as "Chief Apostle. And, No present truth apostle is going to demand to be served.
We must discern and differentiate between divine inspiration versus human aspiration, and walk together with spiritual fathers in fatherly wisdom, apostolic impartation, and relational kingdom ministry. If the calling is there, that is the first stage. For it take seasons {or years} to develop fruit, although the revelation of the call can sometimes come in an a moment of time.
Benefits of Apostles in your Life and Local Ministries
1 - Apostles benefit the assemblies through apostolic revelation. Galatians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Eph. 3:3; Romans 16:25
2 - Apostles benefit you by strengthening the assemblies. Romans 16:25; Acts 14:22; Acts 15:41; 18:23
3 - Apostles benefit the assemblies by establishing proper and strong foundation. 2 Peter 1:12; 1 Cor. 3:10; Ezra 6:3, 11
4 - Apostles {with the co-labor of the prophets} benefit the assemblies by restoring them to God's original purpose and plan for planet earth, with the Quickening {1 Corinthians 15} of the saints towards the fuller expression of becoming the image of God in the earth, the incarnate word. Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 14:26; Genesis 1:26-28; Psalms 21:1; Matthew 6:10
I dedicate this again to all apostles, apostolic elders and leaders, those called to apostolic 'Like" or LIFE", apostolic churches, messages, ministries, businesses, and all aspects of apostolic and Prophetic LIFE in the Corporate Glory of the saints...
Apostolic and Apocalyptic Blessings. Remember to Feed the Seed and to Nurture the nature, for you are becoming what you already are, enlightened and empowered to the done deal, the finished work of the cross. May these truths take you into transformation and not mere information.
Apostolic Blessings...
Dr. Tim and Theresa Early -
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