Q38. Modern Apostles

[Pastor Ralph]

Q38. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

[Commissioned]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, what kind of function might they have?

If there were apostles today their function would be the same as the apostles in the early church. They would have a leadership role and a teaching ministry to a number of churches where he/she is recognized as an anointed leader and teacher. They would ensure that there is adequate administration over the affairs of the congregations and present godly instructions to the congregation, for their spiritual growth.

What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet?

Dedication to the study and teaching of the Word of God. They would adhere to the admonition of the Apostle Paul when he said:

" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

and then they would

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)

[/i]

How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

We might detect a false apostle when they are not consistently administering the Word of God to numerous congregations.

[Guest Tabatha]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, what kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

In apostlic days referred to a select group chosen to carry out directly the ministry of Christ; included the assigned task given to a few to complete the sacred canon of the Holy Scriptures.

Implies the exercise of a distinct representative role of broader leadership given by Christ not by man. The Apostlic call is one of the Ascension Gifts given to the body by Christ.

He functions as a messenger or spokesman of God to the churches in giving direction according to God's agenda for the establishing the Spiritual order according to God's plan for His church not mans. ( Wisdom )

In contemporary times refers to those who have the Spirit ( Mantle ) of A postleship in remarkably extending the work of the church, opening fields to the gospel, and overseeing larger sections of the body of Jesus Christ.

Implies the unfolding of a plan for making the gospel known to all the world ( Romans 1:16 )

Illustrates an attitude of humility necessary for receiving a call to areas and unknown situations ( Is. 6:1-13 )

Connotes an inner compulsion to lead the whole world to an understanding of Jesus Christ. ( 2 Cor.5 : 14-20 )

False Prophets are those who come as wolves in sheeps clothing to deceive and lift themselves up to receive the glory for themselves of the work they do in the name of Jesus christ. ( Math. 7:!5-20 ) You will know them by their fruits.

[cct1106]

Some missionaries, teachers, prophets, shepherds and apostles.

Our congregations and regional groupings need FAITH.

False prophets are deceitful in their deeds, works and endurance.

[Helenmm]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

An apostle might have oversight of a group of churches, by virtue of the fact that his apostleship was recognised and desired by those churches as oversight and a gifting to their activities.

The needs that churches have that might be met by an apostle are

1. Powerful teaching

Great ability in Mentorship and pastoring of the pastors of those churches.(shepherding skills)

Healing giftings

Prophetic gifts.

Prayer

Community influence and care.

False apostles are those who insert themselves into a congregation and try to seek their own following. Their prophecies do not turn out to be consistently correct and they don't submit to the authority and judgement of the leaders but try topush their own varrow. They cause division and speak poorly of other leaders to enhance their own position. They do not have a servant heart which is an essential test. When dealing with people they seem to have their own agenda to serve more than having the people's interests at heart..

[Ken7]

Our churches use Pastors (on leave) who function as encourager's to a group of 5-25 pastors and each church body. As we search for the new Pastor God has for us the value of this 'Apostle' is not calculable. He travels 4 hours by auto to most of the churches, teaching and encouraging us in Gods Word.

He sends Pastor resumes to our search committee and has done a good job of showing us our strengths and weaknesses.

[haar]

If there were apostle today, their functions would be similar to the functions of the first apostles such as administration of the church of Christ, teaching the Word, healing the sick, setting the captives free from demonic bodage and bringing the Church to maturity etc.

The greatest need to my mind is that of unity of the body of Christ. There is so much division due to theological differeces that we need apostles to go about preacing the need to be united and declaring the truth. Another area is that of wrong doctrines. There is need to proclaim the Word, (the truth) undiluted and thus the need for men of God to take up this responsibilty as they go round the globe correcting the wrong teachig in love.

False apostles can be identified through their teaching. Any that does not preach the true gospel of Christ is a false apostle.

[JustJeff]

Apostles today would have the same function as yesteryear perhaps more so. They would have to break down religious partitions, bring true doctrine back into our churches, battle against sin. On a local or even on a worldwide bases apostles could return the church to it's first love, Jesus Christ. One should be able to go to any Christian church in any place in the world and have the same experience with the Lord. Alas, that will not happen until His return.

While I realize that it has become an exceptable posture to accept the varying denominations as the true church one has to wonder if that is indeed what the people to whom the teachings are attributed to the foundation of that church would agree. It was because of false doctrine that people were inspired by God to reform the church and start anew. We should have grown as one from that point and not splinter. I would hazard to say that at some point, false teaching infected the new movement, as it did in the beginning. Any one who takes away or adds to the Word is a false apostle and anyone who takes any glory from the Lord is a false god.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

Apostles today should carry out the very same functions of the original apostles. They should be teachers, administrators of the church, leaders, a true messenger of the word. Spreading his knowledge through the world.

An apostle in today's church should be an example of God's love and should demonstrate this love with understanding. This apostle should show discipline as Jesus taught us, and should possess true leadership skills. Living a life as an example of the teacher Jesus. Someone who knows and possess the knowledge and wisdom of the word and demonstrates it by his acts.

A false prophet is one whom is seeking self glory. You will know them by there fruits.

[masika]

If we go by the word of our Lord Jesus , that is great Commission in Mt. 28:18 onwards , we are to go all to the world and preach the Gospel to everyone.

Apostle is '" one sent " as messenger, auhorized agent ,or Missionary. We can be still have Apostles today , so long as they have that gift and not just one Proclaiming that when he/she do not have that gift.

[BJB123]

Apostles today should have a leadership and teaching ministry. Apostles should be called of God and not of self just because they have a college education. College education is most certainly helpful. God equips His apostles and their qualifications will show in their works. I believe Apostles should be Overseers of several churches that are functioning in a Godly manner and be successful churches that teach the truth to the congregation.

Needs that churches have that an Apostle could meet:

1) Need for annointed preaching and teaching the truth

2) Need for prayers warriors

3) Need for gifts of healing, laying on of hands, etc.

4)Need of mentoring

5)Need of teaching church leadership to function properly

False apostles will be recognized rather quickly as they do not preach/teach truths. They teach lies and are liars and they will also steal from the church and cause division and discontent and will try to divide a church. They will steal the church monies as well as church members.

[Eudora]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, what kind of function might they have?

There function would be no different than the function of the twelve that Jesus appointed. He called them into His ministry and they followed Him. They learned from Him, They listened to what He had to say. It was not until after He died and was raised from the grave that they were told these words:

Acts 1: 7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power...... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus told them to go and wait upon Him in Jerusalem, and that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit... courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority and be a witness of Him in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth. Jesus had instructed them to witness to people of all nations about Him. The extraordinary results that were evidence of the power with-in the Apostles, followed when they spoke of Him. In the book of Mark, we read in the 16th chapter, verses 15-20 these words:

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Jesus had fulfilled all the law and all the prophecy and when His job on earth was finished, He was received up into heaven, and sat down. He took His Sabbath in rest... on the right hand of God.) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Again, we read where first you have to believe and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This may confuse some people to think that this means water baptism. In the book of Acts we find that those who were baptized by John the Baptist, in the River Jordan, were later baptized in the Holy Spirit, by the Apostle Paul .

Acts 19:2-5 (King James Version)

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Obviously it was important enough to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, after repentance.

Other scriptural samples:

Acts 1:5

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 11:16

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

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Jesus said: John 3:3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

You have to be born again in The Spirit of God before you can see the Kingdom of God. We must be born again. The born again experience is the changing and the renewing of the heart, mind, body and soul. Folks that are born again, are baptized in the Holy Spirit. These folks take the truth of the spirit to anyone who will listen. These were apostles then, the folks who follow this pattern, I believe are apostles in this day and age. Signs and wonders follow those who share the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet?

The Spirit of T R U T H!

THE W O R D of G O D! Not their idea, or doctrine or belief, but the truth and the Holy Spirit reveals the truth.

How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2

If you are a messenger of God, you will give God the glory. You would see consistency and growth, a steady change. Patience, love, faith, service. They would reek of the fruits of the Spirit.. Galatians 5: 23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. These folks... would keep His statutes and His Law. If this criteria is not met... they are false..... The Holy Spirit hasn

[Helen Williams]

I believe the function would be no different than the twelve. We have an unchangeable God, even though we live in a changing world. Thank God the WORD doesn't change. They are to preach the Good News and prepare God's people for service, so that the body of Christ can be built up. Today we are still in need of being taught the word of God. We can't grow spiritually without the teaching of the word. It is through the word, meditation and prayer that will enable us to detect false prophets that try and change themselves to look like apostle. It is a matter of time before they will have to come out of those wool clothes and the word show them up for the false prophets that they are. God will never let his people be lead astray by false prophets. HE LOVES US TOO MUCH!

[PCHRIS]

I beleive the modern day apostles would be like the original apostles. I love the word function because this shows a working, rolling up your sleeves and getting amongst it. Some take the title of apostle or pastor then sit upon the pedestal and think they got it made. So I dont see apostle or pastor as a title but a 'function'

They need to be: solid in the Word; strong leadership skills; be able to handle conflict on a major scale; prayer warriors; willing servers and to do all these things in love.

We will pick false prophets by their fruit.

[kiqstart]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

They would be doing the same as they did before, spreading the word.

They would not be sprading Gods word they would be causing divisions in the church

[June]

Apostles are Spirit-filled persons that take the gospel around the world (missionaries) and maintain the purity of the church and God's Word so it does not become distorted.They were to teach and baptize. They are to proclaim the true gospel so it will lead to godliness. They encourage others and they preach the gospel.

False teachers try to weaken the authority of the Bible. They allow sub-standards to prevail. They straddle the fence, so to speak and must be removed from teaching. They teach things that are contrary to God's Word. We must discern and test the Spirits.

[Stan]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

They would serve the churches that they establish by continuing to teach and minister to the body of believers that he would have established in them.

they need to be unified and brought togeather in the faith as Christ wants them to be.

any who do not follow the teaching of Christ as told by the Bible are false teachers and could be false apostles if they are serving more than one church. We as the body of Christ must be able to discern the truth and not be lead astray.

[godsanointed523]

If there were apostles today,what kind of function might they have?What needs do our congregation and regional groups of churches have than an apostle might meet?How might we detect false apostles?

If there were apostles today then they would be doing the same thing as the apostles in the Old Testament and in times of Jesus.THey would be leading and preaching to all souls with their lives and the work of the Holy Spirit.The congregation can show love and guidance to the apostles so they can be better prepared for the ministries that they will have or already have.There is unity or even teachings and confrences where ideas and studies can be shared among others and apostles. I think that we can be able to detect a false prophet when they are using there own thoughts and the Scipture to brainwash people into thinking that what is being taught in church is not right.Twisting the Word of God around to meet their own needs or even blaspheming,there is so many ways but prayer,fasting and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will reveal to someone that there are false prophets amongst the church

[charisbarak]

The kind of function they might have today is to guide each church, make sure there was no false teaching taking place and to bring wisdom to a church's problems to bring the church to growth & unity.

There are many needs of our churches today. Each church has their problems & they need wisdom & direction. They need goals for the growth of each member, encouragement & to reach out to the cities/states/countries of the world.

We can detect false apostles if they are not teaching the pure Word, and if their motives are all wrong.

[linda bass]

Modern day apostles differ from the original apostles in that they weren't eyewitnesses to the Resurrection of Christ.

However, their importance to the Body of Christ is no less important.

A modern apostle would be someone who exercises leadership over a number of churches with authority over spiritual matters.

Some of the needs a modern apostle might meet are encouraging and edifying, teaching the word of God, mentoring, and tutoring new believers.

We can detect false apostles by watching their actions and monitoring what they say.

Are they in the ministry for personal gain and self satisfaction or they Christ centered?

[Linda Stanley]

As a christian believer I thought Apostles did exist today.I believe they are Leaders as outstanding ministers of the gospel,and have many academic degrees.They usually are overseerers of a large denominatin of churches,state wide.

~A false apostle could very well be detected if they create division in the churches state wide.Mis-use of monies,and changing the scripture to the way they believe.They should strengthen and encourage the church,not tear down.They must represent Jesus Christ.

[sis. dee]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

The functions of an apostles of today would be to establish and be over seers of differance churches. To be a teacher of the word and oversee his congregation. To establish (to know) the giftings in his members so that they can help minister to the church.

To detect a false a apostles is one who do not do the work of God, that do not have a teaching minstry. He is someone who just wants to have the title.

[Candygoo58]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have?

I think they would be overseers of pastors. To make sure the word they are teaching is the truth of God.

What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet?

To get right literature that is going to help their churches grow together in Christ.

How might we detect false apostles?

Bye reading the word four ourselves and testing what is taught against when we have learned from the truth in God's word.

2 timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

If we don't do what this verse says how can we know that we are being taught wrong? He had to read and study for ourselves so that we will know the truth when we hear it.

[sahala p.s.]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)

If there were apostles today, they might have the kind of function as stated in Peter Wagner

[Jewell]

Today's prophet might have leadership over a number of churches or areas and could provide teaching and instructions on spiritual matters and encouragement for fellowship and living the word of God.

A false prophet would be one who teaches something other than what Christ taught.