Leadership Journal is perhaps THE journal of journals for non-charismatic evangelical church leaders. It has its roots in Billy Graham and Christianity Today. It’s contributors are THE who’s who in the evangelical world – Willow Creek, Saddleback, etc. This was the camp that produced me, and then spit me back out when I started pointing out the Bible lists more apostles than just the Twelve.
You can imagine my delight to flip through my latest copy of Leadership Journal (Spring ’08 – it’s not online yet) to discover the issue has two feature articles saying what I’ve been saying for a dozen years (and what the New Testament has been saying for 2000 years.) Apostles exist today!!!
Really, this is nothing new. Ephesians 4:11-13 explicitly says apostles are vital to the church, and will continue to be, “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.”
For those who didn’t know there was any debate here, believe me, there is. In 2004, I wrote a book about these things (Obtainable Destiny, Creation House Press). At that time, the book was not welcome in evangelicalism. (The book is a commentary of sorts on 1, 2 Timothy and Titus which I decided to dub… the “Apostolic Epistles” instead of what we are all taught they were… “the Pastoral Epistles.”) My point was these guys were not sent out (apostolos) to be pastors and “hold people’s hands” for 30 years. They were apostles-in-training. My evangelical colleagues were okay calling me a church “planter” or a home “missionary”, but as I tried to point out, neither of those terms are found in the Bible. And to be clear, I wasn’t asking or interested to have a title attached to my name – it was about the recognition and release of the gift and its operation in the church.
I’ve come to believe the adversary doesn’t sweat much when 100 pastors is a state operate in their gifting. But the devil freaks out when 100 apostles are released in a region. Getting over our apprehensiveness with this gifting and its operation today will get us over a major hurdle in advancing the Kingdom of God in our regions.
My D. Min. studies, yes under my good friend Dr. C. Peter Wagner, led me to the conclusion that the closest thing to a church planter in the New Testament wasn’t a “pastor.” Pastors take care of sheep already in the fold. Evangelists win the lost but then they leave town. Only the apostle goes forth to establish lasting Kingdom outposts where they weren’t previously. Apostles are the pioneers, the church planters.
Suggesting such however, even just five years ago, you would have thought I was advocating we add a fourth person to the Trinity! I know there are wacko’s out there claiming to be apostles who are not. But even there, the fact that there are false apostles means there are real ones. In five more years, this will all be a non-issue and we can get on with the work of God and stop picking at each other. Here’s a quick summary of these two Leadership Journal articles:
ARTICLE #1 - Note the title/subtitle…THREE OVERLOOKED LEADERSHIP ROLES: We’re familiar with pastors and teachers, but todays world needs a leadership team that includes three biblical but forgotten functions. Here are some highlights…
If we take the five categories of church leadership from Ephesians 4:11, [we are] training leaders to be teachers and pastors for established congregations, but where [are] the evangelists, the prophets and the apostles to lead the mission of the gospel into the world… this divorce of apostles, prophets and evangelists from pastors and teachers has been disastrous for the local church and has damaged the cause of Christ and his mission.”
There is a great chart called the “Fantastic Five Diagram” which is old-school five-fold ministry stuff from the charismatic camp.
ARTICLE #2 – title/subtitle… APOSTLES TODAY? Rediscovering the gift that leaves churches and well-connected pastors in its wake. Apostles leave new churches in their wake!!! That’s it! I love the first sentence…
We all know about the apostles named Peter, Paul and John, but have you ever heard of Andronicus or Junia? Some are surprised to discover that the New Testament identifies more apostles than the twelve…
You get the idea. Evangelicals are just now discovering apostles do exist today. And, I’m thrilled! Maybe we can all work together again. And just maybe, the self-appointed, unaccountable heresy hunters will come under conviction and realize these verses are in the Bible after all.
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April 21, 2008 at 2:46 pm
completefaith
Funny, I believe I received two words in worship this weekend.
I thought they were for me, until I read this. So here they are.
1. Sing of the Creator
2. Join under one true King
August 31, 2009 at 12:41 pm
James aka anonamystery
It sounds like you have given a bunch of insight without Biblical reference except one text that has been taken out of context. This is where critical thinking as a Christian must take place. What is that Ephesians 4 passage really talking about? Not, what we feel it’s saying, but was is the literal meaning of that text. It was talking about the establishment of the church and that it’s foundation being Jesus Christ. It’s not about the gifts, but the One who gave the gift. No one claiming to be an Apostle that I have EVER seen has been able to heal and as far as the Bible is concerned, there are twelve thrones to judge the 12 tribes and 12 foundations for the new Jerusalem. Guess who they are all for? The 12 Apostles of the Lamb. Not someone today claiming to be something that they are not. BUT THE 12 APOSTLES OF THE LAMB. This is the very reason why people don’t believe because God’s supposed ministers won’t respect His Word and the offices that He’s already sent forth. Be careful what you claim, you HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT… Due dilligence in the text will keep you from error. Don’t assume a position and then look for Biblical support for it. Assume your position from the text and then be a supporter of what God has already said.
September 1, 2009 at 7:42 am
Steve Hickey
James. I love your email – ananamystery. It shows us you are willing to stand by your views.
That there are more apostles in the New Testament than 12, and that there are apostles today, is easily established in Scripture. Read the intro to my 1/2 Timothy and Titus book and you’ll see. Or go read the old Zondervan classic by Lockyer – all the apostles of the Bible – and count the chapters and read about the other names apostles in the New Testament. Geesh. Read your Bible.
September 3, 2009 at 10:39 am
James
To argue your point based upon the fact that I chose for my email address something that alludes to the idea that I wish to remain anonymous is at best futile. Secondly, for anyone to attack the messenger because of the message is also, at best, futile. The prerequisite for truth is not belief or even a liking for what that truth is. The only mandate truth has associated with it is that it be concrete, real and unable to be changed no matter the cirucmstance. So question me, if you wish, however deal with the truth because you must. There are books written on plenty of topics and authors pontificate about what they ‘feel’ the Bible is saying about this or that. The truth is, the Bible is more clear about Apostleship when it’s read contextually, based upon the interwoven ideas of the text itself. Of course there are more than 12 “apostles” in the New Testament. What isn’t is the office held by the 12 Apostles of The Lamb, seated next to the Son in Heaven to judge the 12 Tribes of Judah. The same one’s who’s names in Revelations appear on the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem. Even Paul himself recognizes the office of the Apostleship as something special and that he himself was chosen for a special mission unto the gentiles. He goes further to state that he himself was chosen last among the apostles. What are the requirements to be an Apostle? Do you know this? If so, answer back and I will be back and read that. I won’t stoop to the level of implying your ingnorance of the text, rather, if I feel you don’t know, I will attempt to educate. I am ready to be educated my friend and brother in the faith. If you show me, by scripture, how it is that you come to your conclusion, then most assuredly if it is true I obey God above all else.
Here’s something to think about. The author of Hebrews never identifies himself by name. Would that mean that he was unwilling to stand by his beliefs?
I guess are you assuming that you are an apostle or an Apostle? From the context of most arguments, the latter is what is implied. A miracle working, healing, spirit inspired and able to write scripture, Apostle…
September 3, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Steve Hickey
James. Is what you are writing to be considered by me on the level of Hebrews? To me you are one who shoots arrows from places of concealment (Ps. 64).
Your criteria for apostleship are based on interpretations that I disagree with as contextually sound. It seems your hang up is on the difference between and office and a gift. I don’t care to argue with you or split those hairs. I see it as both and don’t care what you think. In many other places I’ve written and spoken at length on the Biblical basis for my conclusions. You are not going to get a private education from me here as it wastes my time. If you took the time to figure out what I actually to write/teach on this you wouldn’t be lecturing me on the twelve apostles of the lamb. I clearly distinguish between the unique place and role, eternally, of the twelve apostles of the Lamb from those subsequent who have been passed the apostolic mandate.
I don’t call myself apostle, but interesting… my denomination used to call me a church planter and home missionary. Neither of those terms is Biblical but you are fine with them I would guess. When you look at gifts in the New Testament, what designation best fits one like me who goes and plants new churches? Pastor? Nope. They take care of an already established flock. Evangelist? Nope. They reach the lost and move on to the next. I submit the only designation that fits a church planter is the apostolic gift. You are five years too late to stop the tide of this terminology now being commonly used in evangelical missiology circles. The bottom line for me, the apostle word means… one sent. Anyone who is sent forth to take the Kingdom of God into to places and to new people groups is doing apostolic work.
September 3, 2009 at 2:16 pm
James
Funny… I think of myself and would hope to be a Psalms one type of guy. Secondly, just like you, I hope to hear those words, “Well Done…” Again, it’s an email address, not an idea. Besides, we aren’t sitting face to face here so I guess we are both hiding to some degree wouldn’t you say? I can disagree with Jesus being the Son of God, as some in the faith (supposesdly) would argue, as not being contextually sound but does it make it true? Thank God, no it does not. I can’t argue subjectively because it’s based soley upon your opinion/feelings. Give me Bible because it’s objective, unchanged absolute truth. I made a blunt statement to get a conversation started about this because till this day I have found no one that can, with any degree of Biblical basis whatsoever, answer the underlying question; What is an Apostle and why does one in today’s church deserve that title? If this is a tremendous waste of your time, then surely you wasted plenty of it not telling me anything of any substance but still took the time to reply to my previous post… Twice no less. So maybe I am wasting my time with someone that 1) Obviously has no answer because they have no basis upon which to stand. 2) This person has nothing better to do with thier time but put down the inquisitive with insults and hopes of witch craft types of biblical references. I guess if I was asking about church overseers, church planters, home overseers, pastor/teacher, and let’s stretch it a bit, prophets and evangelists then I guess my questions would surround that. Seeing that I didn’t question it, I wasn’t looking for an opinion regarding them.
With all that being said, back to the original statement and the basis of obvious ideological differences. Why does anyone deserve the designation and for that matter, what does that disgnation entail other than someone that wishes to pontifcate about his/her ‘superior’ insight into matters in which they really haven’t a clue? If you are an apostle or have knowledge regarding such, I am a new person, why not start with enlightening me? Or am I too small or ‘too late’ to try to gain insight? With a great deal of humor I might add the only thing that I hope to stop with this conversation is ignorance. Not necessarily yours by the way. I respect you to this point, but very plainly, very bluntly, if you don’t have time, don’t waste mine and let someone else with time and expertise answer me. If they choose.
PS… Might I also add that if you plant a church that doesn’t make you an Apostle. That much I know for sure. BUT if you wish to submit ANY Biblical references to substantiate your claims I am open and ready. At best you are a pastor/teacher of what the Apostles already taught and did. Nothing of any ‘new’ or ground breaking relevance. Bishop/Pastor/Administrator/Teacher might be of interest. However, congratulations and good job. I do not take lightly your additions to The Kingdom and your reward will be great in Heaven! Be blessed.
April 21, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Jared
Thats awesome… my mom let me have one of the books and I have been reading it! Its funny that is all coming up!
June 14, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Leadership Structures: Five-Fold Ministry « Hitherandyonder’s Weblog
[...] when Steve Hickey (a C. Peter Wagner fan) pointed out in his post that this article was in leadership I was intrigued. Because of the context that I heard about the [...]
October 19, 2008 at 12:40 pm
jimh
I have never been involved in charismatic, pentecostal or apostolic doctrines or fellowships, even to this day. Unchrurched, I became an atheist in my teens. In my 30′s God moved to show me the error of that thinking. He led me to read the living Bible and as I read it I began to realize that there truly was a God and that I was in big trouble with Him.
So in fear and trembling I repented of my sins and God gave me peace about my standing with Him. He then led me to attend an evangelical church where I was well fed on the doctrine of salvation by grace thru faith for a few years.
Then in my late 30′s God moved to lead me to study I Corinthians wherein I began to believe in all of the church office gifts. My evangelical brothers rejected that idea and eventually also me for espousing it. So, in disgrace, I was asked to leave that church which I loved and of course I did. Now an unchurched Christian, I asked God to lead me to a fellowship that truly followed all of the teachings of the New Testament.
Instead, to my surprise, He called me out to be an apostle and then He started a small church around me by sending other brethren to me who were also hungering and thirsting for completely true doctrines. I did not feel qualified to be an apostle because I was still learning about spiritual offices and functions. But Jesus gave me on-the-job training. He would not let me join any other existing fellowship to learn my spiritual trade because all of them ignore or reject some part of the teachings of the New Testament (the most notable of which is the spiritually powerful but greatly underrated doctrine of submission to God’s pecking order of authority and finishing by expressing that submission thru proper head coverings and hair lengths for both men and women).
I have been operating in the apostolic gift now for over 20 years with many signs and wonders, miracles and healings accompanying it. So, although I am always still learning, I do have quite a bit of experience in this spiritual gift. I write about my apostolic ministry from Jesus in my blog – Annals of an Anonymous Apostle at http://anonapostle.blogspot.com/.
The first teaching found there, is my teaching and my testimonies on how God substantiates a true apostle’s ministry gift to those to whom the apostle is sent. I have been unable to find any other teaching anywhere on the internet on this vital subject and for that reason I suggest that you and your readers may wish to review it.
Because so many intelligent people are thoughtfully reading so many translations of the Bible today, more and more of them are coming to the same conclusion that you and I have come to – all of the church office gifts should be functioning within a church in order for it to be most spiritually effective! Any failure to recognize and allow these gifts from God to be operational within a fellowship reduces proportionately its ministerial effectiveness.
Yet at the same time we all want to prevent any falsehood from being perpetrated upon us thru false church officers. The teachings in my blog address all of these issues.
Thank you
jimh – one of the Lord Jesus Christ’s many anonymous apostles.
March 4, 2009 at 7:24 am
Moses
I am a young christian from South Africa, This may sound cleashed by defending your own, But by the grace of God I have personally seen, met and experience to be in the present of such special people choosen by God himself. They come from God when I say this you to understand it spiritually, my point God do appoint and annoint this indivisualls. The gifts that God has put upon them it is beyond megination, that why it is significant to ask God to reveal the gifts of the apostles we as christians we should to reveal true apostles. To make another point what happenned to us christian we must consult God about this gift so that the body of christ should function effectively. Thank you God bless in Jesus name.
June 29, 2009 at 4:18 am
Reformation history is important because… « Gate Post
[...] with God. What I’m reading makes a few of the things I’ve gone through (for example, apostle-gate) seem like small potatoes. Follow me on Twitter!stevehickey: Time is in His hands [...]
September 28, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Ginny wilkerson
Well, i have been doing some research for my puppet ministry that i do for a week once a year. I really research and study what I’m going to present to kids and sometimes, I readily admit, i go overboard. Without going into a lot of detail, i was researching the five fold ministry and asked the question “Are apostles in the Old testament”. I guess I wanted to find a precedent in the OT but found none. I did find a lot of interesting articles written by people that believed the NT. apostles were only for the time the New Testament was written. They were quite depressing because I felt in my Spirit, (which by the way is the best way to perceive if you don’t understand something intellectually) they were limiting God. Intellectually, I perceived that they were concerned about the infamous “false apostles” and “false prophets”. I’m still trying to figure out how to “test” them, as the scripture says to do.
When I came to your article, i suddenly experienced “rest” and I knew that God was still alive and doing amazing things with His people! Thanks for your evangelical perspective on this! It’s so refreshing!
October 5, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Paul J Rodgers
Deuteronomy 18:21,22 gives us the ‘test’ of a false prophet. It is interesting to note that it does not say that if what he claims comes to pass, he is a true prophet. Rather, it says that if what he proclaims DOES NOT come to pass, then you will know they are not a true prophet. All of this is contingent on the prophet claiming to have spoken in the name of the Lord. So the focus here is on the false prophets.
October 1, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Paul J Rodgers
The enemy has so perverted the gifts of apostles and prophets that the very mention of them is distasteful. Disregarding these gifts for this reason alone has plunged the church into a powerless community of believers. In the attempt to expose the false theatrics of men, leaders in the church are suppressing these gifts to a point of nonexistence. Satan is rapidly succeeding in dividing the church as the power within is removed. Think for a minute…aren’t the two major challenges the church faces today due to an absence of these two gifts? Accountability and revelation? Adherence to doctrine and identifying the enemy?
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (1Cor. 12:21)
July 27, 2010 at 9:14 am
Has the a-word controversy vanished? « Gate Post
[...] today I delight to see example after example of major evangelical church planting and mission organizations talking openly about apostolic work, [...]
July 14, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Max
Apostles do exist! I’ve met one. The best scriptural reference I offer is
(Eph 4:11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(Eph 4:12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(Eph 4:13) 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:
Has the body of Christ manifested perfection YET? Come to the Unity of the Faith? Unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ? No!
All we see in the body of Christ are thousands of denominations.
For the body of Christ to come unto that perfect man, unto the measure of the fullness of Christ, come into the unity of the faith: we not only need pastors and evangelists – but the whole 5 fold ministries in operation – as in Eph 4:11.
Modern Day Apostles do exist.