This Word for the Week ministry is a way that we are seeking to methodically sink our roots deeper into sound biblical truth, as well as the important spiritual issues of our times. For this reason we want to delve a little deeper into the text that we studied last week, Ephesians 4:11-13, which is one of the most succinct declarations of the purpose of the church in Scripture.
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.
Here we have the ministries listed that are to equip the church for its purpose. As we can see, the ultimate purpose is attaining “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.” This must be our ultimate goal, and the focus that motivates all that we do in ministry. Anything that deviates from this simplicity of purpose will sidetrack us from our calling. Growing up into the Lord Jesus Himself, knowing Him, and abiding in Him is our goal.
Now we will give a brief description of each of these ministries that are given to the church for this purpose beginning with the first listed, the apostle. We are told in Hebrews 3:1, “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” Jesus is the Apostle, just as He is the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Shepherd, and the Teacher. When we grow in ministry we are in fact growing up into these aspects of Him.
The apostolic ministry is basically a composite of all of the other ministries. For example, we can see that the primary apostles in Scripture; Peter, John, and Paul, were all great teachers, they were certainly pastoral, prophetic, as well as evangelistic in their work. However, this does not mean that someone who tends to be all of these things is an apostle. Why? Because the apostolic ministry is an authority, not just a function.
Any believer, even one who really is not called to one of the equipping ministries, can at times be used to teach, shepherd others, prophesy, or lead people to the Lord. To be one of these equipping ministries requires a commission. The apostolic ministry requires a personal commission from the Lord Himself. This does not just come as an impression or prophetic word. In I Corinthians 9:1, the apostle Paul first mentions that to verify his apostolic ministry is to have “seen Jesus our Lord.” Obviously, he is talking about more than just a dream or vision here.
Why must an apostle see the Lord? Apostles are the “master-builders” of the temple of the Lord, which is the church. Like Moses, the first in Scripture to build a habitation of the Lord, who had to go up on the mountain to see a model of the tabernacle before he could build it, the apostle must have a clear vision of what he is to build. The model of the church is Jesus Himself. There is something to beholding the glory and majesty of who He is that imparts an understanding, focus, and resolve that is essential for true apostolic authority.
The ultimate apostolic burden can be summed up in Galatians 4:19: “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.” Many popular definitions of apostolic ministry focus on what are really more administrative gifts than apostolic. The ability to recruit churches into an organization, or teach on church government may be done by people who do not even have one of the equipping ministries listed here. A good multi-level marketer can do that. The true apostolic anointing compels the church to draw near to the Lord, to behold Him, and to be conformed to His image, not just grow a system.
Besides having the authority to build, there are also other issues related to the apostolic ministry such as tearing down, addressing error, heresy, and apostasy. One of the reasons there is so much confusion and disputes about so many doctrines today is because of the lack of true apostolic authority in the church. When this ministry is fully restored to the church, it will have authority to confront these great issues with wisdom from heaven that will be above reproach or dispute. Such authority does not come from a title, but a substance and anointing that human wisdom cannot refute.
In Proverbs 24:3-4 we are told that “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled....” It is wisdom that actually builds the house. Knowledge will draw crowds, but we have often tried to draw crowds before building the house. Therefore, we do not have real churches, but crowds that gather. This will change when the true apostolic is restored. They will primarily come with wisdom, not just knowledge. They may not draw as many, but they will build something that the Lord will inhabit.
There was also a fundamental apostolic characteristic having a bold pioneering nature that is seen in all of the biblical apostles. This is a drive to go further, higher, and deeper, which compels others to do the same. There is nothing in this world more contagious than one who is getting closer to the Lord, and this is the pre-eminent drive of apostolic ministry. This could be classified simply as leadership. However, this is a leadership that does not just dictate direction, but in fact leads.
When true apostolic ministry appears, the church will be drawn more and more into all that she is called to walk in. This is an intangible that can only come by the special anointing that is reserved for those who are of the substance that can be so endorsed. However, because this ministry is the composite of all of the other equipping ministries as well, it will also be utterly practical in teaching, counseling, imparting vision and direction, as well as reaching the lost.
There is no question that the church is in need of apostolic leadership at this time. However, we cannot settle for cheap substitutes. If we want the real thing we must be willing to wait for it. Apostles are not made overnight. Even the apostle Paul was called as an apostle many years before he was commissioned to this ministry. Then he was a very immature apostle until he grew and gained experience. One of the primary reasons for the superficiality of the church today is the superficiality of those we have been willing to follow.
Just as the Lord commended the Ephesian church for putting to the test those who called themselves apostles and were not, this is one issue that is too important to overlook. We can err in either missing the time of our visitation by not recognizing this ministry, or receiving too easily those who do not really have the goods. Remember, there is a ditch on either side of the path of life, but when you are on the path you know it because of the life that is flowing.
