Last week we began our journey through a discussion on the 5 fold ministry! Tonight, we zeroed in on a discussion on what an apostle is and what the apostolic is.

Notes:

ASK: What is an apostle?

The Greek term we translate to Apostle is Apostolos. Which generally means “sent one” or “a messenger”

When we look at the scriptures, there appear to be four distinct groups that operate in this gifting we call Apostolic.

Read: Hebrews 3:1

ASK: Who does this passage say is an apostle?

Jesus tends to model how gifts are used for us. He is the first “apostle,” if you will. God sent him out to be a messenger of the good news that there is salvation through Him.

Read: Luke 6:12-16

ASK: Who does this passage say is an apostle?

This points out what we call the 12 apostles. These are the main individuals that Jesus entrusted his Missio Dei to. Missio Dei is a Latin term that means “Mission of God.” This is the idea that God, through his triune nature, has a plan to save mankind, and we are part of the plan as we go out to reach the lost. But to begin establishing this mission, he used these 12 Apostles to help establish the foundation we needed.

Many will stop here with the discussion on Apostles. But the Bible points out many people who were called Apostles. There, of course, is the famed Apostle Paul, who wrote much of what we call the New Testament.  You have James, the brother of Jesus, who is known as an apostle. Barnabas, who traveled with Paul, is listed as an apostle in the Book of Acts. On top of that, several individuals in the New Testament were sent out to do Apostolic-type ministry but weren’t necessarily called an apostle.  This is why we can firmly say that the apostolic isn’t just a position that some have held over the years, but it is gifting that some can operate at various times.

So, what do those who operate in the apostolic gift do? When you look at the examples in scripture, they tend to be the kind of folks who see the big picture and are father-like or mother-like. Their primary goal is to equip the body and pioneer ministry in ways others have not. Many would suggest that Missionaries operate in an apostolic gift.

Our missionaries and others who operate in the apostolic tend to see giftings in others and help to draw those things out. This is much like how the Apostle Paul saw something special in Timothy or Barnabas saw something special in Mark. They have strong opinions about things and, in an attempt to help the church not be complacent or apathetic, will be more than willing to speak out the truth. They tend to see an issue and work hard to bring forth solutions to those issues. 

This is not to say that they are perfect and don’t need others to challenge or help them grow. After all, Paul challenged Peter to see ministry Gentiles differently, and Barnabas challenged Paul to see Mark differently.  Like everyone else, they are human and can make mistakes. But we need people who operate in the apostolic just as much as they need everyone else.