UNDERSTANDING APOSTOLIC COVERINGAND PROPHETIC STREAMS

NIHOPSchool of Prophets

RECAP:

In our previous lesson, “RAISING UP A SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY OF PROPHETS”, WE SHOWED THAT PROPHETS WERE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED AND DEPLOYED BY GOD FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT TO THE NEW TESTAMENT TO THE END-TIMES.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY:1. We want to understand HOW THE LORD SET UP

THE STRUCTURE AND FLOW OF HIS CHURCH (AND HOW THE CHURCHES TODAY HAVE MADE A CRUCIAL DEPARTURE FROM IT)

2. WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS in the prophetic community (in effect we will answer the popular view that there are no more apostles and prophets today)

3. WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND PROPHETIC STREAMS

WHY ARE DOING THIS? WHY DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS?

1. THE LORD SAID THROUGH THE PROPHET JOEL (JOEL 2:28 FF) THAT “AFTERWARD, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH, AND MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL PROPHESY…”

2.1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 TO 33 DESCRIBES THE FUNCTIONING OR OPERATIONS OF A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY

JOEL 2:28-32 “And it shall come to pass afterward

That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions.29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservantsI will pour out My Spirit in those days.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood,Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.32 And it shall come to passThat whoever calls on the name of the LORD

I CORINTHIANS 14 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you

come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace— as in ALL THE CONGREGATIONS OF THE LORD’S PEOPLE.

So the STRUCTURE…

1.PROVIDES ORDER, STRENGTH, AND FUNCTIONALITY IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

- leadership, authority- discipline- management and administration- nurture, training, etc.- FACILITATION OF THE WORKS OF THE LORD

2. ENSURES THE SMOOTH FLOW OF THE PROPHETIC STREAM/S (no bottlenecks)

PART I:APOSTOLIC COVERING

GOD’S DESIGN FOR ORDER AND STRUCTURE: (I CORINTHIANS 12)

THE GIFTS 12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not

want you to be uninformed… 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes

them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 ALL THESE ARE THE WORK OF ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

I CORINTHIANS 12THE STRUCTURE 27 ”Now you are the body of

Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret?”

EPHESIANS 4THE SPIRITUAL MATERIALS OF THE STRUCTURE:

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING you have received. 2 Be COMPLETELY HUMBLE AND GENTLE; be PATIENT, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. 3 Make every effort to keep the UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

EPHESIANS 4 continues with THE “ASCENSION GIFTS” 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ

apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,

    HE TOOK MANY CAPTIVES    AND GAVE GIFTS TO HIS PEOPLE.”[b]

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 SO CHRIST HIMSELF GAVE the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.

The goal: “WHOLE MEASURE OF FULLNESS IN CHRIST”!WHAT CHRIST WAS:

(BEING)A FAITHFUL SONFULLY COMMITTED AND SURRENDERED TO THE FATHERHUMBLEMEEKLOVINGCOMPASSIONATEKINDGRACIOUS…

WHAT CHRIST DID (DOING)

APOSTLEPROPHETTEACHERPASTOR (SHEPHERD)EVANGELISTADMINSTRATORHEALERMIRACLE WORKERETC. – “HE HAD THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHOUT LIMIT” (JOHN 3:34)

IF WE ARE A STRUCTURE (TEMPLE), WHAT ARE OUR FOUNDATIONS?

EPHESIANS 2 19 Consequently, you are no longer

foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, WITH CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF AS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

A huge cornerstone at the corner of the Western Wall and the Southern Wall of the Jewish Temple

THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE IN THE TEMPLE

NOTICE THE SMALLER STONES BUILT ON THE HUGE CORNERSTONE:

THIS SUPER MASSIVE CORNERSTONE IS CHRIST!! EVERYTHING ELSE IS BUILT ON IT BUT ON THIS CORNERSTONE FOUNDATION IS BUILT SECONDARY

LAYERS OF FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

Now question? WHO ARE THE APOSTLES AND

PROPHETS MENTIONED IN EPHESIANS 2:19-22??

(“you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone”)

TRADITIONAL ANSWER: THE 12 APOSTLES AND THE BIBLICAL PROPHETS

That is PARTLY CORRECT.HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTICE SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING:

Ephesians 4 “7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned

it. 8 This is why it[a] says: “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,

    he took many captives    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, …”

WHAT IS THE POINT OF “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH”?

The twelve apostles and the other prophets appointed by Jesus were and commissioned by God were ALL BEFORE JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND ASCENDED ON HIGH.MEANING, THE LORD ALSO APPOINTED OTHER APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, AND CONTINUES TO RAISE UP APOSTLES AND PROPHETS AND GIVE GIFTS TO MEN, WHEN or AFTER HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,!!MEANING, UP TO TODAY, APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, ALONG WITH EVANGELISTS, PASTORS AND TEACHERS ARE CONTINUING GIFTS OF THE LORD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE CHURCH!!!

SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF OTHER APOSTLES (OTHER THAN THE 12) AND PROPHETS:

- The ORIGNAL 12 APOSTLES are called “THE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB” (REVELATION 21:14)

- 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.

SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF OTHER APOSTLES (OTHER THAN THE 12) AND PROPHETS:

ACTS 14 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish

synagogue.There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you.”

BARNABAS IS NOT AN “APOSTLE OF THE LAMB” BUT HE WAS AN “ASCENSION APOSTLE” – AN APOSTLE RAISED UP AFTER THE ASCENSION 

SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF OTHER APOSTLES (OTHER THAN THE 12): ROMANS 16

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his peopleand to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have

been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.”

ANDRONICUS AND JUNIA WERE ASCENSION APOSTLES.

I THESSALONIANS 2:1-6 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not

without results.2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as APOSTLES OF CHRIST we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.”

WHO WAS PAUL REFERRING TO? HIMSELF, SILAS AND TIMOTHY

Based on the revelation of “ascension gifts”, there is a belief that there is a HIERARCHY OF APOSTLES:

1.PRIMARY APOSTLES – EXAMPLE: THE LAMB’S APOSTLES (THE ORIGINAL 12), AND PAUL

2.SENIOR AND SUBORDINATE APOSTLES – Silas, Barnabas, Timothy, Apollos, Junia and Andronicus

3.APOSTOLIC COUNCILS - JERUSALEM

Now what is an APOSTLE?

APOSTOLOS – SENT OUT ONE, COMMISSIONER, ENVOY, REGENT, AMBASSADOR, REPRESENTATIVE, OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

JESUS IS THE APOSTLE OF THE FATHER

Hebrew 3:1Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on JESUS, WHOM WE ACKNOWLEDGE AS OUR APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST.2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

GALATIANS 4:4-5

 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

I JOHN 4

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

OF JOHN THE BAPTIST(John 1)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 THERE WAS A MAN SENT FROM GOD whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

THE COMMISSIONING OF THE 12

MARK 3:14-15 – 13 

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TASKS OF THE APOSTLES:1. TO BE A FATHER!!!

(I COR. 4:14-16)14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

THE FATHER’S LOVE…

EXPRESSED IN THE PROPHETIC COMMUNITY THROUGH THE APOSTOLIC STRUCTURE!!!

I THESSALONIANS 2:6-12 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else,

even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

THE DEALING OF AN APOSTOLIC OFFICE WITH BELIEVERS IS AS A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN

Luke 1:17 – SPEAKING OF John the Baptist

“AND HE WILL GO BEFORE THE LORD (speaks of the apostolic nature of his calling), IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH (speaks of his prophetic office), and HE WILL TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THE DISOBEDIENT TO THE WISDOM OF THE RIGHTEOUS – TO MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD”

THE OBJECIVE OF THE APOSTOLIC PROPHETIC WORK:“MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD”

BEING:

Father’s loveSupernaturalglory

DOING: Favorable supernatural

climate (GAC, 24 HHP) TAKE DOMINION OVER

OUR SPIRITUAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (SEERS)

MISSIONARY SENDING NATION

PROPHETIC

THE TASKS OF AN APOSTLE2. TO LAY THE FOUNDATION (I COR. 3:10)

-- Acts 2:42 -- “…they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (DOCTRINAL FOUNDATION), fellowship and breaking of bread (RELATIONAL FOUNDATION), and to PRAYER (SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION)…”

How do apostles lay the foundation?

THEIR APOSTLES’ TEACHING… (ACTS 2;42)COLOSSIANS 1;24-29 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my

flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

The tasks of an apostle3. EXERCISE AUTHORITY COMING FROM SELF-DENIAL (I COR. 4:9-13, GAL. 2:20)

1 Corinthians 41 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 

I CORINTHIANS 4 6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to

myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 

9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 

15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

I Corinthians 4 18 Some of you have become

arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.  19 But I will come to you very

soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 

20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 

21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

Tasks of an apostle:4. BUILDS UP THE KINGDOM, THE BODY OF CHRIST “Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him” (LUKE 8:1)

5. CARRIES OUT DISCIPLINE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Heb. 12:5-13, Rev. 3:19, 2 Tim. 4:2, 2 Cor. 13:10, Titus 2:15, I Cor. 4:18-21, I Cor. 5:1-5)This authority is carried out by REMOVAL OF COVERING, AND BY SURRENDER (IN THE SPIRIT REALM, THROUGH PRAYER) OF A RECALCITRANT BROTHER, as in the case of I Corinthians 5

I CORINTHIANS 5 – A CASE OF REMOVING THE APOSTOLIC COVERING

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

The characteristics of an apostle

1.IMITATES CHRIST OR IS LIKE CHRIST, ESPECIALLY HIS GENTLENESS (Matt. 11:29, 2 Tim. 2:25, 2 Cor. 10:1, I Thess. 2:6-12)

2.DEAD TO SELF (Gal. 2:20)3.GRACE – “WE RECEIVED GRACE AND

APOSTLESHIP” (ROM. 1:5)4.ENDURANCE AND TENACITY (2 COR. 6:3-10,

2 COR. 1;8-10)5.HUNGERS TO KNOW CHRIST, THE

FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH (PHILIPPIANS 3:10)

Characteristics of an apostle:

6. IMMERSES IN THE STUDY OF THE WORD, AND IN PRAYERActs 6: “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was

multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

7. THEY PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD; MALACHI 3:1 – AN APOSTLE IS SENT FIRST THEN THE LORD FOLLOWS

3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.

2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

5 “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.

8. They have been given grace to call people - ROMANS 1:5

“We received grace and apostleship TO CALL PEOPLE from among all Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.”

9. God gives them authority so that when they speak, believers accept their instruction as from God – 1 THESS. 2:13

13 ”And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

But also always remember the BEREAN PRINCIPLE: ALWAYS CHECK IF WHAT ANY ONE SAYS IS TRUE ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURES OR NOT:

ACTS 17:10As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

10. APOSTLES APPOINT ELDERS AND COMMISSION OTHERS – TITUS 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our

Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that

you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.

DIFFERENT APOSTLESHIPS:1.PETER TO THE JEWS; PAUL TO THE

GENTILES Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.6 As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance--those men added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

SO, THERE MIGHT BE APOSTLES for or to the:

1. Youth2.Tribes3.Businessmen4.Artists and musicians5.Professionals6.etc

It takes great faith AND HUMILITY to be in submission to authority (Matthew 8)

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you

come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

Areas where apostles were recorded as NOT HAVING AUTHORITY:

1. THE FINANCES OR OFFERINGS OF THE CHURCH – THEY CAN ONLY APPEAL FOR HELP FOR OTHERS IN DISTRESS;

I CORINTHIANS 6:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 3When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;…2. THE PROPERTY OF THE CHURCH3. THE PROPERTY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH4. DID NOT INTERFERE WITH THE NITTY GRITTY OF THE ADMINSITRATION OF THE CHURCHAPOSTLES SPEND THEIR TIME ON THE WORD AND PRAYER (ACTS 6)

SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES OF THE APOSTLES:1. DOCTRINE (ACTS 2:42-43)2. APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS (ACTS 14:23, TITUS 1:5-6)3. CHURCH LIFE, ORDER, AND SPIRITUALITY (2 COR. 10:8)4. CHURCH DISCIPLINE (2 COR. 13;0)5. MAY GIVE AN OPINION OR ADVICE (I COR. 7:6-7. 10, 25)6. ISSUE STRONG INSTRUCTIONS (2 THESS. 3:6-7, 3:11-12),

I TIM. 6:17-197. PROTECT THE CHURCH (I COR. 5:1-7) 2 COR. 13:2-4,

TITUS 1;10-13)8. MAKE APPEALS (PHILEMON 8-9)

Specific authorities of an apostle:

9. authority to impart gifts (ROMANS 1;11-12)10. AUTHORITY TO IMPART AUTHORITY - NUMBER 11:16-17, 24-2511. Authority over principalities (DANIEL 9)12. SHEPHERD God’s people PSALM 78:70-72, 89:20 13. ANNOINTING TO REDEEM BROKEN LIVES (I SAM. 22:2)14. command of the heavenly forces (2 kings 2;12, 6:17)-- SOURCE OF LIST (“APOSTOLIC REVELATION: BY John Kingsley Alley)

Are there WOMEN APOSTLES?THERE WAS NO WOMAN APOSTLE IN THE “APOSTLES OF THE LAMB” (ORIGINAL 12), HOWEVER, THERE WERE WOMEN PROPHETS, SOME OF WHO EXERCISED APOSTOLIC FUNCTIONS:1.DEBORAH (JUDGES 4)2.MIRIAM (EXODUS 15:20)3.HULDAH (2 KINGS 22:14)4.ANNA (LUKE 2:36) - PROPHETESS5.PHILIP’S DAUGHTERS (PROPHETS) – ACTS 21:96. JUNIA is believed to be a woman apostleRomans 16:7: Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are OUTSTANDING among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

THE IDEA OF COVERING:Isaiah 4:2-62 In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruitof the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit[a] of judgment and a spirit[b] of fire. 5 Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; OVER EVERYTHING THE GLORY[C

] WILL BE A CANOPY. 6 IT WILL BE A SHELTER AND SHADE FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY, AND A REFUGE AND HIDING PLACE FROM THE STORM AND RAIN.

COVERINGPsalm 5:11-12 11 But let all who take refuge in you

be glad;    let them ever sing for joy.SPREAD YOUR PROTECTION OVER THEM,    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;    you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

MAIN IDEA OF APOSTOLIC COVERING

THE COVERING FOLLOWS THOSE WHO ARE BEING SENT OUT BY GOD:

1. ABRAHAM – GO, LEAVE – I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU’ (Genesis 12)INTERCEDED FOR SODOM AND GOMORRAH 2. MOSES – GO, I AM WILL BE WITH YOU (Exodus 3)“BAPTIZED INTO MOSES” – I COR. 10:2 EXODUS 32;9-14EXODUS 17:123. PAUL - I CORINTHIANS 5:1-5 – COVERING REMOVED

Covering issues:1.Is your covering pastoral

only?2.Denominational only (not

Kingdom, not Body of Christ)?THEN THE FOUNDATIONS ARE NOT SOLIDLY LAID, AND THERE IS A LIMIT, OR WORSE, A HINDRANCE TO THE FLOW OF PROPHETIC STREAMS

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS IF A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (CHURCH) DOES NOT HAVE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS??

It will affect what the community can or will carry. It cannot OR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY:1. End-times teaching2. Prophets and prophesying, moves of the Holy Spirits3. Cannot carry harps and bowls4. Have difficulty operating in the supernatural5. Struggle handling dreams and visions6. Shun from spiritual warfare7. Have difficulty seeing the role of Israel in the last days8. Have difficulty shifting to kingdom mind-setThese are all prophetic streams…EVANGELISTIC AND PASTORAL ANNOINTING GO ONLY SO FAR AS SOUL-WINNING, CHURCH PLANTING, DISCIPLESHIP, BUT OFTEN ARE LIMITED IN SCOPE TO THE FOUR LITTLE CORNERS OF THE DENOMINATION OR CHURCH (THE “SHEEP PEN” PRINCIPLE, VERSUS THE KINGDOM PRINCIPLE AND THE NATION.)

FOR EXAMPLE: You cannot have swimming pool on the upper deck if your foundation and structural design and make is weak or inadequate.

The same is true in the spirit realm; a community cannot support prophetic moves if it is not founded on apostles and prophets with Christ as chief cornerstone

II.Prophetic Streams

CONCEPT: ISAIAH 55 1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,

    come to the waters;and you who have no money,    come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milk    without money and without cost.2 Why spend money on what is not bread,    and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

ISAIAH 55 Give ear and come to me;

    listen, that you may live.I will make an everlasting covenant with you,    my faithful love promised to David.4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,    a ruler and commander of the peoples.5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,    and nations you do not know will come running to you,because of the LORD your God,    the Holy One of Israel,    for he has endowed you with splendor.”

ISAIAH 55 Seek the LORD while he may be found;

    call on him while he is near.7 Let the wicked forsake their ways    and the unrighteous their thoughts.Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways,”declares the LORD.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts.10 AS THE RAIN AND THE SNOW    COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN,and do not return to it    without watering the earthand making it bud and flourish,    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Revelation 221 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

PROPHETIC STREAMIS SIMPLY “THE FLOW” OF GOD’S REVELATION AND POWER THROUGH THE STRUCTURE OR CHANNELS HE HAS ORDAINED, BY THE EXERCISE OF HIS GIFTS, WORKS, AND ANOINTINGS, FOR THE REVELATION OF HIS WILL, THE RELEASE OF A SPECIFIC (RHEMA) WORD, AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER

IT MAY ALSO BE ILLUSTRATED BY A LIGHT OR WAVE STREAM “FLOWING” FROM A SOURCE TO A RECEIVER:

Remember GENESIS 1:1-3In the beginning God made the heavens and the earthAnd the earth was without form, and void, and darkness covered the surface of the deepAND GOD HOVERED OVER THE WATERS,And GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT””AND THERE WAS LIGHT…

GOD “PROPHESIED” THE UNIVERSE INTO EXISTENCE…AND THE FIRST THING THAT HE CREATED WAS LIGHT THAT STREAMED INTO THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS UNTIL THE SUN AND MOON WERE CREATED ON THE FOURTH DAY

Tracking the PROPHETIC STREAM: I CORINTHIANS 12

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed…

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Three streams are mentioned here:

GIFT (V. 4)– CHARISMA (Greek) a special enablement given by the Holy Spirit to empower a Christian to do a certain task

EXAMPLE: WISDOM OR KNOWLEDGE (I COR. 12:8)SERVICE (V. 5) (ADMINISTRATIONS) – DIAKONIA – the particular service or ministry where one exercises the gift regularly

EXAMPLE: TEACHING OR COUNSELLINGWORKINGS (V. 6) (operations) – ENERGEMA – “the thing wrought”, ”effect operation” or simply “operations”

EXAMPLE: THE CLARITY, THE UNDERSTANDING THAT COMES TO THE RECIPIENT OR THE BENIFICIARY

ALL OF THESE ARE A MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT (I COR. 12:7) – phanerosis – to show, to exhibit, to express (exhibition, expression, display); IN OTHER WORDS, THESE ARE THE PROPHETIC STREAMS – the FLOW OF THE SPIRIT’S WORD AND POWER: the gifts, the service, the workings

Other examples:GIFT:SERVICE: WORKING:Healing - praying over people - people get:

healedWord of knowledge - prophesying - guidanceInterpretation - interpret dreams - understandingDistinguishing spirits – share your insights – guidanceSong/music - praise and worship - people are

edifiedHospitality - host, serve people - people are

refreshed

ACTIVATING PROPHETIC STREAMS - 2 KINGS 3

10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?”An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.[b]”12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”

2 KINGS 3“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the LORD who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.”14 Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 15 But now bring me a harpist.”WHILE THE HARPIST WAS PLAYING, THE HAND OF THE LORD CAME ON ELISHA 16 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. …

Remember 1 CHRONICLES 2525 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:2 From the sons of Asaph:Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons:Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,[a] Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the LORD.4 As for Heman, from his sons:Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

REMEMBER THE DYNAMICS OF PROPHESYING:

RECEPTION -- what did you receive from the Lord?RESPONSE -- what is your response to what you received from the Lord?RELAY OR COMMUNICATION – how will you communicate what you have received from the Lord?ALL THESE THREE ARE FACILITATED BY THE GIFT, SERVICE, AND WORKING OF MUSICTHESE ARE A PROPHETIC STREAM.

Luke 5 -- another prophetic stream:

17 ”One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.”A PROPHETIC STREAM FOR HEALING WAS OPENED UP BY THE GIFT AND SERVICE OF TEACHING 

Other examples of OPENING UP THE PROPHETIC STREAM:

1.OBEDIENCE TO AN INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD – the case of MOSES (EXODUS 3)

2.AN INTENTION OF AN AUTHORITY FIGURE TO BLESS AND PRAY FOR HIS CHILDREN (ESPECIALLY IN ANTICIPATION OF A MOMENTOUS EVENT)

Genesis 49 – Jacob knew he was about to die (v. 29)- he called for his children and blessed and prophesied over them (v. 1-27)

Deuteronomy 33 – Moses blesses the twelve tribes before his death

Genesis 27 – when Isaac blessed Jacob (and Esau)

Opening up the prophetic stream:

3. WHEN ONE HAS “SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE” – DREAM, VISION, TAKEN IN THE SPIRIT, ETC.

Ezekiel – chapter 37 (vision of dry bones, Ezekiel told to prophesy, v. 9)

Jeremiah 1 – v. 11-14 What do you see Jeremiah?” “I see a boiling pot… an almond tree…”

v. 17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you…”

Opening up the prophetic stream…

4. WHEN ONE IS INTENSELY IN PRAYER SEEKING THE MIND AND HEART OF GODHabakkuk, chapter 1The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. [ Habakkuk’s Complaint ] How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abound2 I will stand at my watch    and station myself on the ramparts;I will look to see what he will say to me,    and what answer I am to give to this complaint.[a

Chapter 2 Then the LORD replied:“Write down the revelation    and make it plain on tablets    so that a herald[b] may run with it.3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;    it speaks of the end    and will not prove false.Though it linger, wait for it;    it[c] will certainly come    and will not delay.

Opening up the prophetic streams…

5.FASTING, PRAYING, SEARCH OF THE WORDDANIEL 9 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes[a] (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian[b] kingdom— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:….

Opening up the prophetic streams…

6. By IMPARTATION NUMBERS 1116 The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

Numbers 11 24 So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had

said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.

26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”

29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”

I Timothy 4 – impartation by laying on of hands

11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR GIFT, WHICH WAS GIVEN YOU THROUGH PROPHECY WHEN THE BODY OF ELDERS LAID THEIR HANDS ON YOU.

15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

IN SUMMARY, PROPHETIC STREAMS ARE OPENED WHEN1. God’s people obey God’s instructions

2. When apostles and prophets are recognized and are given room to do their job

3. When the Word is preached and taught4. When musicians and singers play and sing to the Lord5. When there is an intention to bless and prophecy on momentous

occasions 6. When God’s people fast and pray7. When one is taken up in a spiritual experience (dreams, visions,

teleportations)8. When there is impartation, with or without laying on of hands9. When God’s people desperately seek the Lord in fasting and praying and

study of God’s Word10.When gifts are exercised, services are performed11.When the Spirit moves12.When the presence of the Lord is there

EFFECTS OF AN APOSTOLIC PROPHETIC COMMUNITY (structure and streams):

Act 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Effect of an apostolic prophetic community

Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

THE FLOW AUTHORITY, POWER, GIFTINGS, ANOINTINGS AND THEIR EFFECT:

1, INDIVIDUAL - FROM JESUS TO THE INDIVIDUAL APOSTLES2. OIKOS (CELL) – TO THE GROUP OF APOSTLES3. KOINONIA (FELLOWSHP/”CHURCH”) – THE COMMUNITY RAISED UP BY THE APOSTLES, to the4. POLIS (COMMUNITY) – JERUSALEM AND OTHER CITES, to the5. ETHNOS (NATION, CULTURE) – ASIA, EUROPE

HINDRANCES OR LIMITATIONS TO THE PROPHETIC STREAMS

1. Rejection of the office, role and work of apostles and prophets

2. Quenching and putting limits on what the Holy Spirit can do

(MARK 6:4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." 5And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.”)3. Putting too much “control” on services or meetings and not allowing the Holy Spirit to move (but everything must be done decently and in order) – I COR. 14:26 FF4. A mind frame that rejects the supernatural5. Insensitivity to the moves of the Holy Spirit (“quenching the Spirit”)

HINDRANCES OR LIMITATIONS TO THE PROPHETIC STREAMS

6. PERSONAL IRRITATIONS OR DISTRACTIONS

2 KINGS 3

14 Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 15 But now bring me a harpist.”WHILE THE HARPIST WAS PLAYING, THE HAND OF THE LORD CAME ON ELISHA 16 and he said, “This is what the LORD says:

HINDRANCES OR LIMITATIONS TO THE PROPHETIC STREAMS

7.SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE2 TIMOTHY 2:16 -- But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,PROVERBS 21:16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.Matthew 18:15-20"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.“

THE LORD WILL NOT SPEAK IN AN UNGODLY, DEAD, AND DEFILED ENVIRONMENT, EXCEPT PERHAPS TO EITHER SPEAK REPENTANCE OR JUDGMENT.

CONCLUSION:1. WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WILL BELIEVE THAT

APOSTLES OR PROPHETS ARE NO MORE, OR WHETHER THEY ARE STILL CONTINUING GIFTS AND OFFICES TODAY

2. IF WE DECIDE THAT THEY STILL ARE NEEDED, THEN WE MUST SEEK APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC COVERING (NOT JUST PASTORAL COVERING); we must structure our community on the 5-fold gifts

3. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER BY THE GRACE OF GOD TO FACILITATE THE CONTINOUS AND FREE FLOW OF THE PROPHETIC STREAMS

Atmosphere of faith and expectancy Acceptance of the gifts, workings and operations of

the Holy Spirit Purity of heart, speech and hand

CLOSING VERSES:

EPHESIANS 2:19-22 “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone”EPHESIANS 4:11-13 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

THE COMMUNITY THAT JESUS KEPT WAS AN APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC, A 5-FOLD GIFT, COMMUNITY. May ours be one.