This is the last post in a series of writings taken from Apostolic Church Arising by Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler. This information was taken from Chapter 8 & 9 pages 71-92.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.
As we have already mentioned in I Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11-13, these scriptures describe God’s plan for the Church, but how do we get there?
The function of the apostle is to establish, and to create structure in which the gifts can grow and develop. Apostles bring order to the church and identify and stop chaos and confusion before it brings division. Apostles and prophets establish five-fold ministry.
In a Bible church the focus is on the teacher and the Bible is taught. Knowledge is gained, but no power empowered.
“Apostle” is not a title, but an anointing given by God to establish His order. It is an anointing which has a high level of authority. Apostles set things in order. His authority is confirmed by the fact he pours out his life for God’s people.
In an apostolic church the apostle raises up prophets, teachers, pastors and evangelists who equip the members to minister wherever they go.
When five-fold ministry begins to operate, the results look like the New Testament Church. The first step is to find an apostle, but recognizing an apostle is not always easy. Apostles have an immediately recognizable relationship with Jesus. They operate in a supernatural realm and are able to interpret what God is doing, and they are trustworthy with money. They have authority to discipline and pronounce judgment, and they lay down their lives for the Church. The first mark of an apostle is supernatural signs, the second mark is scars. Apostles are fathers and mothers to the Church. Apostles have a revelation of Israel and the one new man, and they stand in intercession for the Church (Pages 83-92).
The mark of a prophet is they are able to communicate the mind and heart of God in a specific situation. They will prophesy with great maturity and accuracy.
When true prophets speak, God backs them up. Prophets open the heavens for others to hear. They open heaven’s portals and God’s revelation pours through them (Page 95).
The gift of teaching imparts understanding of the Scripture. Gifted teachers give us revelation of how to walk with God and enjoy God’s blessings.
I hope this series on apostolic church has been informative, and you better understand how we got to this place in current American Church. Jesus sacrificed His life for His Bride, Church, and Army, and He wants her to operate by His blueprint for empowerment in establishing His Kingdom on earth. God bless all of you as we press in to know our resurrected Lord! Our King and Priest!
