Understanding The Five Fold Ministry: 1. The Apostle

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV); And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Who is an apostle? Claiming the title “apostle” does not make you an apostle. Being called an “apostle” by those around you or even sometimes by men of God does not make you an apostle.

Your spirit must bear witness to whatever is spoken over your life lest you carry a burden that is not yours or attempt to run a race you were not appointed to.

The Greek Word used for apostle in our theme scripture is “apostolos” which is translated to mean “messenger.”

Every apostle must have a distinctive message.

God sends apostles with a particular message for three purposes: REVIVAL, ESTABLISHMENT or REFORMATION. They function in any of these three pillars.

If they are not REVIVING a certain truth, they are ESTABLISHING it; if they are not establishing a truth, they are REFORMING it.

Truth is REVIVED where it was dead and God seeks to bring it to life in the spirits of men in a particular generation; it is ESTABLISHED where it is existent though not strongly cemented in the hearts of men; and it is REFORMED where it has been misunderstood or misrepresented.

The apostolic mantle is defined by a message not just a sermon. Out of that message, sermons come. If you are an apostle, the first question you should ask yourself and God is, “what is my message?”

This pertinent question will define the course of your ministry.

FURTHER STUDY: Psalms 48:12-13, 1 Corinthians 4:9

GOLDEN NUGGET: 

The apostolic mantle comes with a defined message, and not just a sermon. Out of that message, sermons will come.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the fivefold ministry by which saints are edified and perfected. I thank you because I have a full understanding of your call upon my life; I thank you because my message to this generation is distinctive, that when men hear me speak, they know the difference between my sound and that of others. Even as I walk this course, I contribute to the growth of the kingdom in the true mind of divine purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.