THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AND ITS GOVERNMENT

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE APOSTOLIC?

Greek apostolos from the Greek root apostello = sent; = one who is sent forth, sent away from one place to another to accomplish a specific mission. Acts 13: Holy Spirit said"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." To be Apostolic means to have a mind set that is "outward"

Mark 3:13-15 ""Go into all the world"

 

II. WHAT ARE APOSTOLIC CHURCHES LIKE?
or (Principles that characterize Apostolic Churches)

A. Apostolic churches are churches that recognize and relate to modern-day apostles.
B. Apostolic churches are churches that not only recognize and relate to modern-day apostles, but also are made up of Apostolic people.
C. Apostolic churches are churches that are active in varying forms of apostolic ministry.
D. Apostolic churches are "sending" churches whose heart and influence are not ingrown. Acts 1:8 The Holy Spirit who is Apostolic "sends" people throughout the world on an assignment: to bear witness.
E. Apostolic churches are relational-developing relationships with others is a priority.

 

III. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

A. LOCAL CHURCH

Government= authority
Authority = God's authority is that law or principle by which He organizes
                    the universe.

He rules His creation with authority.

The Divine authority is delegated by God to man that man might give structure to the church which enables the life of God to flourish. The authorities which God sets in the church are the elders and the apostles. God places elders in the local assembly. God appoints the apostles in the midst of many assemblies - the authority of the eldership is for the local church. The authority of the Apostle is for other than the local church. e.g. churches, organizations, movements, networks, etc.

How does the eldership of the local church get their authority?

      A.  Acts 20:28      B.  Acts 14:23

(NOTE: In everv city; e.g. Ephesus, etc.)

1. Local Church vs. Universal Church
At Philippians 1:1 "overseers and deacons"
(also 1 Timothy 3)
Deacons in the local church are appointed by the local eldership. (Philippians 1: 1; 1 Timothy 3:8-10)

a. 0verseers = Elders
b. Elders - Mature leaders in government authority
i. Acts 14:23 - Appointed by Apostles (how to elect overseers and deacons.) Paul's letter to Apostle Timothy (1 Timothy 3:1-12)

c. Can be Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, Pastors. The administrative responsibility of the church is vested in the elders and deacons. The elders occupy the highest office in the local church.

d. Ruling Elders (1 Timothy 5:17) (Some rule as well as teach, preach.)

e. Acts 13 - In Antioch, Prophets and Teachers refers to: gifts of EDIFICATION not RULERSHIP. (Government) - Some of these prophets and teachers may have been ordained later as "overseers" (elders) in Acts 14:23.

f. All elders do not have to be those with gifts of EDIFICATION (prophets, teachers, pastors). Some can be apostles, leaders. (Those with gifts of administration.)

g. Note in local church at Antioch there were no Apostles at first.

i. Paul and Barnabas became "commissioned" as apostles when they were sent by God (Holy Spirit).

ii. After Paul and Barnabas were separated to be apostles, when they returned to their local church then they became Apostles in the local church at Antioch. But they did not function as Apostles while in Antioch. They did function in their anointing as Prophets and Teachers and perhaps they were included, I suspect, as part of the eldership that governed the church at Antioch. Of course their anointing and "thrust" as aspostles was an added blessing to those in the church at Antioch who received them as such. (Mt. 10:41)

 

B. UNIVERSAL CHURCH

1. Their sphere of influence - not as prophets or teachers but as Apostles using their gifts of prophecy and teaching, were not for the local church, but the church universal.

2. When an Apostle functions in the local body, as a member and/or elder, he uses his gift/gifts - prophetic teaching authority to edify the local body, but not his Apostolic office.

3. When an Apostle functions in the universal church (outside his local body) he operates in his office of Apostle.

4. 1 Corinthians 12:28 First in rank, time or position in the universal body Acts 15.

Secondarily Prophets in the universal body.

5. Foundation of Universal Church = Ephesians 2:20. All others Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers build upon this foundation.

6. Local church cannot grow to maturity without (Ephesians 4:11)

A. The ANOINTING separated the person for service. Our mind set often restricts us from receiving the gift of God.

B. Not arrogance that calls someone an Apostle or Prophet the Holy Spirit calls and other people recognize the call and confirm it. Arrogance and aggressiveness and self-promotion are Jezebel Spirits where one elevates oneself to a position the Holy Spirit has not called him to and neither has man recognized and confirmed.

C. The Apostle is not a dictator or pope. He does not control the local church. Paul says to the church in Corinth that he was a helper of their joy and that he did not have dominion over their faith. The Apostle is a father to the local church. A father/son (married son with his own family in his own house) relationship. His authority and influence are very strong, but he has no legal authority.

   Humility and Servanthood - requirements for leadership "He who would be great among you must be the servant of all." (Matthew 20:26-28) "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first, must be your slave."

D. It is essential to the Apostolic Church to get the revelation of the importance of NAMING an anointing.

1. When an individual recognizes his or her gifts, anointing and/or position they will more boldly step out into their God given authority; e.g. Apostles can (with greater liberty and boldness) give leadership and direction to pastors when they know that God has called them as Apostles.

2. Others need to recognize the gifts of God in another. We limit the flow of God's power through that person, if we do not recognize or receive his/her anointing, e.g. Mark 6 - Jesus at Nazareth.

3. Unless we start calling our leaders by their God-given anointing, we will not understand how God desires to work through them; e.g. in today's church - everyone is called Pastor. Therefore, we tend to expect them to act in caring, personal, pastoral ways. When a believer encounters a Prophet, he/she should expect to receive a different kind of ministry from what he/she would receive from a pastor. Likewise, an Evangelist ministers differently from the way a Teacher ministers. Likewise, the Apsotle is to be received with greater authority than the other offices.

4. Until we recognize anointing, we will continue to hinder Christian leaders from functioning in their proper positions.

5. If the body of Christ is to function in true spiritual power, and grow to maturity (Ephesians 1:4) it needs desperately to recognize the 5-fold ministry gifts, positions, etc.

E. Re-examining the role of women in the church.

1. Women in ministry

2. Women in church government

a. 1 Timothy 3:1 -- Greek "not "man" as in KJV any one, one, any of you, whoever, etc.

b. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 The scripture does not resrict women from ministry minerly requires them to be under proper authority. This requirement of course would apply also to anyone, including men in ministry.

c. Phoebe --Romans 16:1-2 (v. 1 a servant - a minister)
(v. 2 "a great help" KJV = a succorer (prostasis) of many. This indicates a position of considerable authority. Prostasis = "a woman set over others to stand before in rank:: preside

She was able to comply with scriptural principles of authority, headship and covering while maintaining a position of oversight.

CONCLUSION: Women may serve Christ in governmental positions if their gifts, character and proper relationship with God-ordained authority allow it, and if they are sovereignly called by God.

David Cannistraci "The Gift of the Apostle" - "Although it appears that this kind of ministry is possible, it also appears to be infrequent." I agree with Cannistraci, but it may not be as infrequent as brother Cannistraci states. In these end times God is raising up more and more women in the offices of apostles and prophets.

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