Attributes of the Apostolic

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Seven Stars: Seven Messengers

Four Living Creatures: Attributes of the Holy Spirit in those who overcome

Four Horses & Riders: Four Levels of maturity of the Anti-Christ Spirit

I Will Restore

1.The Lord makes a wonderful promise to restore all that the palmer worm, cankerworm, caterpillar, and the locust have destroyed (KJV).

2.These four stages of a maturing locust are used to prophetically symbolize the way that the spirit of the antichrist would attack the church.

3.In Joel 2:25, the Lord makes a wonderful promise to restore all that the palmer worm, cankerworm, caterpillar, and the locust have destroyed (KJV).

“Then I will make up to you for the years That the swarming locust has eaten,The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Joel 2:25-26

Maria Woodworth-Etter

An 1887 Maria said in an Illinois meeting:

"The power which was given to the apostles in their day had never been taken from the church. The trouble was, the churches had sunk to the level of the world and were without the unlimited faith that will heal the sick and make the lame to walk. She prayed for the return of the old days and more faith in Christ among the people."

While we stood between the living and the dead, preaching the gospel on the apostolic line, earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, proving to the people that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, according to the Lord's promise, He was with us, confirming His Word with mighty signs and wonders following."

John G. Lake“Lake believed his generation missed the mark by not realizing the true definition of apostolic ministry. Some attempted to build an apostolic church around the doctrine and manifestation of healing power.

Others attempted to establish the apostolic church around the restoration of the gifts and speaking in tongues, while some attempted to create and establish the apostolic order around the doctrine of holiness.

All of these qualities are attributes of the Holy Spirit and essential to the Church, yet do not singularly sustain apostolic ministry. Lake observed the people were absorbed in the phenomena of God and not the Person of God.

“True apostolic ministry is a fulfillment of John 14:12, with the Holy Spirit performing the same works through the church that He did through the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a ministry of perfection coming to the church that will prepare her for the return of the Bridegroom.”

John G. Lake was a man who experienced apostolic ministry according to first century standards and changed the world every place that he went. His life and ministry was a representation of a vessel yielded to God as a habitation for His manifest presence.

Through him the Holy Spirit was able to heal the sick, cast out demons, save the lost, and manifest the very nature and character of Christ. He demonstrated Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

By every Biblical definition, the life of John G. Lake represented true apostolic ministry. Through him the great commission became reality and the Kingdom of God was manifested on the earth.

1. He believed apostolic ministry is defined and realized through individuals becoming the habitation of God.

2.The Holy Spirit literally manifested in the spirit, soul, and body of the Believers, taking total possession of His Church, bestowing upon her His qualities, attributes and potentials.

3.This process was not merely a reformation; it was a renewal and transformation. Men and women renewed by the Spirit of God and transformed by the Holy Spirit, becoming One Spirit with Him.

1.Even though the early apostles had received an anointing from the Lord for casting out evil spirits and healing the sick, they had not yet become the dwelling place of God until the day of Pentecost had fully come.

2.It is one thing to receive anointing’s or gifts from the Lord, yet altogether another to become the literal dwelling place of the manifest presence of God.

3.Lake knew the reality of the empowering presence of God abiding within, anointing and equipping him to, not only minister healing and salvation to a lost world, but to also express the radiant presence of a Holy God.

4.As he expressed it, “becoming a Christ-man having all the potentials through the Holy Spirit that resided in Christ Himself.”

5.His indwelling presence makes the Believer a master over every power of darkness that is in the world.

6.He is to be God’s representative in the world. His presence in a Christian is to be as powerful as the Holy Spirit was in the life of Christ.

7.Consequently, fear of evil spirits and demonic opposition is out of the question. Not because of any merits of our own but because of the Lord’s dominion and victory.

Having the Lord’s PotentialsWhen this grain of wheat dies it is for the purpose of bringing forth multiplied grains of wheat LIKE THE ORIGINAL GRAIN.

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:24

The Bible teaches that when the Lord returns we are to be like Him. The Holy Spirit residing in us will reveal the same attributes through us He did in the Lord Jesus Christ. This belief formed the cornerstone for the life and ministry of John G. Lake.Lake believed the Lord would not commission us to do the works He did without adequately equipping us to do those works. He once commented, “We need to set our sights high and refuse the traditions of men who say that it is impossible to do as Jesus instructed us.”

True apostolic ministry is simply the extension of the ministry begun by the Lord, our ultimate example. The power of redemption is so great that sinners saved by grace and filled with the Holy Spirit are given the opportunity of carrying on the very ministry of Christ, doing the works He did. Lake is a token of this reality given to the 21st century. Our sights should be set equally as high.

Apostles are Born The apostle cannot be established by votes.

The Holy Spirit said, "Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them to do." The Holy Spirit "calls" not the majority of votes.

Galatians 1:15—But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles

A Perpetual Office

The office of Apostle, Prophet and Teacher is a permanent part of the true New Testament church. The apostolic office must be declared as belonging to the church. It shall be declared to be a perpetual office. It is our duty to declare that God's church shall eventually and as speedily as possible be so organized.

1 Corinthians 12:28-29—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.  

Apostolic and Prophetic

As regards the office of Prophet it is clear scripturally that this office continued after Christ's resurrection. A Prophet might hold other offices such as that of Teacher; and every Apostle was a Prophet. The apostolic power was prophetic as well as apostolic; it was didactic as well as apostolic.

Function for the Prophetic Gift

Never will it be allowed to bring anything in addition to the Word, yet the Gift of Prophecy has of necessity a large place for its exercise within the limits of divine revelation as it is now given, and the application of the principles and teachings of the New Testament.

Foundations of the Apostolic Church

Purpose in the apostolic church is to carry out the letter and the spirit of the New Testament gospel as Christ and the apostles established it.

Ordain such persons as God has called and qualified to carry apostolic power as it was commissioned by the Lord Himself in Matthew 16:19.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

Keys to the Kingdom

The keys of the Kingdom opens spiritual doors accessing the power, gifts and promises of God.

Dowie said, "for many centuries the door to divine healing seemed shut and locked and ministers taught it was shut forever. But God in his Infinite goodness and mercy sent the revelation that functions as a key.

This is the key to divine healing. It is the word of

God. It is the key of divine promise and divine power.

 

Apostolic Mandate We must all pray that the apostolic church would

fulfill the purpose for which it was commissioned:

The glory of the Eternal Father through our Lord and Savior, so that the Holy Spirit may work in the Church and enable us to fulfill the great commission for which Christ came to the earth;

The salvation, healing, cleansing and redemption of man from sin and disease, death and hell and the coming together of the redeemed into one great and glorious Temple for God Himself.

 

Apostolic Doctrine And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and

fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.

If we are to become strong then we are to "continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine."

The doctrine of the first Apostles of Christ was the teaching of the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.

During these times of "restoration of all things," we should contend for the restoration of every apostolic power and presence demonstrated in the first century.

May our Apostolic Community be filled with the power of the early church so that each region would be as it was in the streets of Jerusalem.

 

Continuing Steadfastly Repentance: when Peter was asked, "what

must we do," his response by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was first and foremost "repent and return." The early apostles placed repentance toward God and man at the forefront of their teaching.

  Mark 1:14-15—Now after John had been taken

into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, " The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Must recognize the infallible inspiration and sufficiency of the Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice.

Every person repent of their sins and trust in Christ for salvation.

Such persons must be able to make a good profession and declare that they do know and trust in their own hearts that they have repented and are trusting Christ and have the witness of the Holy Spirit.

The apostolic church cannot be denominational, sectarian or narrow.

We cannot demand that every man would think exactly as another but only in agreement concerning matters essential to salvation.

Baptism as an essential part of obedience and observance.

Demonstrate the ministry of healing and deliverance.

Sending the Seventy—Teamwork

Prepare a body to thoroughly understand the work and function of the New Testament apostolic community and then go forth into all parts of the region.

Luke 10:1-2--Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, " The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Utilizing Every Tool

Use every means possible to publish and distribute the message of Apostolic Reformation.

This would include publishing books, newspapers, pamphlets and every other medium available today.

Utilize schools to thoroughly instruct the letter and Spirit of the Word beginning as early as possible—To Disciple is to Teach. Isa 50:4.

Facilitating Unity

In things that are essential we demand unity; in things that are nonessential we give the fullest liberty, and we must do all things in charity.

Ps 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing — life forever.

Witness to the Resurrection

Every apostle and true minister must be a witness of His resurrection. They must be a constant witness to the resurrection of Christ.

The Greek word for witness is "marturios". That is one who is a testifier of the Lord's resurrection.

Acts 1:21-22—Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us — beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.“

Acts 22:14-16—And he said, ' The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

It is our duty to declare that the Church of God shall eventually and speedily as possible, be structured with apostles. Once accomplished it is God's duty to place people in their rightful position.

God will call His Apostles in His own time and way by the Holy Spirit. Though we may not see them yet fully functioning we do not alter the fact that we have to structure the church according to that pattern.

There is no limitation to the duration of these offices. The word "set" is "etheto," meaning to build into as a permanent part of the organization.

First-Fruits and Former Rain

, "I delight in the idea that there is looming in the near future a Church identical with the Primitive Church that has within it the inherent forces of the Primitive Church, the usefulness of the Primitive Church, the exceeding and highly valuable teaching which was in the Primitive Church, which we need so much and all the gifts of the Spirit included. Remember, the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.

This sermon was delivered in London, England, by Rev. John G. Lake at a conference of Church of England ministry, presided over by Ingram, Bishop of London, who said: "It contains the spirit of primitive christianity and reveals the distinction between the Christian soul for the first and the twentieth century, the spirit of Christ dominion, by which primitive christianity attained its spiritual supremacy.  It is one of the greatest sermons I have ever heard and I recommend its careful study by every priest.” John G. Lake— Triune Salvation

Cloaked in Humility

Dowie responding to being called an apostle; "I am perfectly honest with no mock humility when I say, from my heart, I do not think that I have reached a deep enough depth of true humility to be so-called. Or, as the apostle said, "I am less than the least of all Saints, and not worthy to be called an apostle." But if my good Lord can ever get me low enough and deep enough in humility to be truly what I want to be and hope in measure I am, a servant of the servants of the Lord, then I should be an apostle by really becoming the servant of all.

I do not know if any person here has a notion in their minds that Apostolic office means a high, pompous position wearing a tiara and swaying a scepter; if so they are entirely wrong.

Power in the Church of God is not like power in human governments where a man climbs to the top of the pyramid of his fellows to the acme of his ambitions and there makes it fulfill his personal pride and purpose.

Power in the Church of God is shown in this; that a man shall get lower and lower and lower and lower until he can put his very spirit, soul and body at the feet of Christ.

Question: it seems as regards the foundation of the church, that we are built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. It seems there can be but one laying of the foundation and the foundation once laid we cannot build a new church.

Answer: There can never be a "New" Church unless it be a false church. That which is true, in regard to Church organization, is not new; and that which is new is not true. We need the old time Christianity of the first century and therefore are seeking for the old time organization of the church has demonstrated in the first century.

Question: Are we then to understand that if there should be some future Apostles, that we are to be built upon them as upon the first apostles?

Answer: The Church of God in each generation must be a building whole and complete in itself and must be such a building today in this century as it was in the first century. It is necessary for His work that it shall be just as perfectly equipped and organized today as it was then. Since this is clearly true and since the organization of the first century church was apostolic, prophetic and didactic, that same organization is just as necessary today as it was then.

Attribute of Antioch Church Devoted to Prayer and Fasting and

Ministering to the Lord. Acts 13:1-3. Devoted to the Prophetic Gospel.

Teaching Kingdom Truth by the Spirit of Revelation. There were prophets and teachers and the prophet named Agabus who accurately predicted famine.

Devoted to Charitable Giving and sensitivity to the needs of others. They became a source of blessing. Acts 11:27.

Devoted to Team Ministry

Devoted to a racially and culturally diverse community. Acts 13:1-2. Crossing all barriers.

Order was significant in the ancient listings of names. Barnabas, formerly Joseph of Cyprus, had been given his new name by the Apostles. Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement”. He first appears as a generous benefactor of the poor. Later, he championed the newly converted Saul when the Christians in Jerusalem were struggling to trust their former persecutor. The man with the big, loving heart is listed first, because he is likely the dominant character in the church at Antioch, having been the man commissioned by the Apostles in Jerusalem to go to Antioch in the first place (11:22).

"Simeon called Niger" is next. "Niger" is a Roman name meaning “black.” He was probably a black man. Some legends identify him with Simon of Cyrene, a city in northern Africa. Simon of Cyrene was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha. Whether this was the same Simon or not, "Lucius” is clearly identified with “Cyrene”. We already know that Antioch had bridged the division between the Jewish and Gentile worlds. Might it have also bridged racial divides?

Churches Birthed From Antioch

Corinth Philippi Colossi Ephesus Thessalonica

Antioch Standards

A. Pioneer new moves of GodB. Able to move under intense pressureC. Move without compromiseD. Move in progressive revelationE. Move under authorityF. Move to impact society

Impart the Spiritual DNA of the Hub into the extended communities connected through the spokes of the Wheel with the Mandate to Gather & Guard.