APOSTLES ORDAIN BISHOPS Somewhere we got the idea recently in some parts of the church that apostleship was something you get promoted to – something you get elevated to – something you have an “enthronement” service for. Let me first say that in the first century church, the role of bishop in the church was that of overseer or supervisor. Titus (1:5-9) was instructed by the Apostle Paul to appoint or ordain elders presbuteros in every city in Crete that would act as episkopos or bishops as the KJV translates it. Other newer translations use overseer or supervisor. Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:23 KJV The word messengers is the Greek word apostolos which is apostles - or a sent one. So Titus was an apostle and co-laborer with the Apostle Paul whom Paul said must appoint elders to be bishops or overseers. We also see the Apostle Paul refer to his son Timothy in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 as an apostle. Timothy could also ordain not only deacons but bishops or overseers. That is why Paul in his epistle to him give hi the qualifications. You could desire to become a bishop, which is a man appointed position in the church, if you had leadership abilities and meet certain qualifications, and the Holy Spirit revealed to leadership that you were ready for this very important responsibility. But this is not true of the apostle or any 5-fold ministy office. It is Christ who gives those ascension gifts to the church. You can desire to be a deacon, elder or bishop (1 Timothy 3:1). But all the desiring in the world is not going to make you an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. Now most apostles at some level are also bishops because they are overseers of God’s church(es). But not all bishops are apostles, unless God has specifically called them to apostleship. There is a lot of confusion in the church about this lately. And it is very important to make this distinction to bring clarity to the subject. When an apostle is ordained or commissioned, it is a recognition of what heaven has decided on already. And in the right timing of the Holy Spirit, it is a public recognition of, and placing honor on that gift. Now I can appoint/ordain elders as I see fit, being led by the Holy Spirit. I can appoint bishop if I chose. That’s what apostles do. But I can not make anyone an apostle. I can only encourage and help develop the gift God has already chosen. Now God may have an apostle function for a season in one of the other 5-fold gifts to gain experience and maturity. Paul and Barnabbas ministered in Antioch as prophets and teachers, until the Holy Spirit sends them out from there to other parts of Asia. After that they seemingly stepped into the fullness of their apostleship and were known as apostles. This wasn’t an “elevation” – an “enthronement.” They were simply being set apart for their next assignment which was stepping into the fullness of their apostleship. But I also need to add, that if you are called to the office of prophet, don’t think you now have to work to get promoted or elevated to apostle as your next step, if God has not called you to the office of apostle. It will be a big mistake in your life and may ultimately mess up your ministry really bad. If you are a prophet – don’t be a “wanna-be” apostle. Not unless you have a calling to genuine apostleship. The same is true of pastor, evangelist and teacher. Be confident in your calling and confidently and boldly access the grace of your calling. Now having said that, we have discovered over these past 2 decades of promoting the new apostolic reformation movement, that there are a number pastors who truly have a call to apostleship, and have been very frustrated ministering in a setting that didn’t acknowledge there were apostles still around today. When these pastors would hear a message about apostles or the apostolic, its like the light would go on in the spirit, and their apostleship would become activated in a greater degree. They realized they were trying to do an apostolic work with a pastoral paradigm. The revelation would liberate them and many would then begin to step into their apostleship, that pastoral ministry had actually given them some preparation and experience for. Be who God has called you to be. Number one – be secure in your ultimate high calling of God in Christ – and that is to SONSHIP. And then be secure in your ministry calling. Don’t try to be something God has not called you or given your grace for. Be all that God has called you to be. Its not about a title – not about postions – its about our position in Christ – being a member of his body. Titles, if you use them. should only describe our calling, your function. Be secure that you are a son or daughter of God though Christ. That is the absolute greatest calling. It is why Christ came. I believe it is important for apostles to bring biblical clarity to this, as it is creating much confusion in the body of Christ. I have no problem with someone using the title of bishop if they believe it describes their function in the church, in the same way elder or deacon is appropriate. Personally, I do not believe all the of the pomp and circumstance with clerical outfits is necessary to ordain a bishop. I do not see that in the New Testament anywhere. Apostles must bring clarity to the church concerning these extremely important matters as they concern how Gods church is function properly and effectively.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:55:31 +0000
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