APOSTOLIC PROLIFERATION by Ras Robinson

APOSTOLIC PROLIFERATION by Ras Robinson

Have you noticed?  Apostles are cropping up everywhere.

Today, supposed apostleships seem to know not gender, age nor traditionally recognized biblical foundations.  While some are still debating the authenticity of currently recognized apostleship being recognized today, others are elevating even those who seem to have but a sniff of the apostolic within them.

The word “proliferate” means to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring.  There is nothing negative in that definition so long as the production is coming from the vine, Who, in this case, is Jesus.  Any other parts, cells, buds or offspring will be short-lived, if they live at all.

Following are some things to consider when assessing present-day apostles:

1.  JESUS SAID THE APOSTLE IS TO BE DISTINGUISHED AS BEING LAST AND THE SERVANT OF ALL.  Mark 9:35 “And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

2.  THOSE WHOM GOD CHOOSES, AFTER THE ASCENSION OF JESUS, MAY SURPRISE US:  PAUL AND BARNABAS WERE BOTH APOSTLES AFTER THE ASCENSION.  Acts 14:14 “But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out.”

ANDRONICUS AND JUNIAS WERE APOSTLES AFTER THE ASCENSION.  Romans 16:7 “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

APOSTLES WERE THE FIRST TO BE APPOINTED IN THE CHURCH, AFTER PENTECOST.  1 Corinthians 12:28-29 “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?”

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted thechurchofGod.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

HAD YOU EVER CONSIDERED THAT THE SECOND LEADER OF THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM AFTER PETER (APOSTLE OF THE LAMB JESUS) WAS JESUS’ HALF-BROTHER JAMES WHO WAS NOT ONE OF THE TWELVE?  Galatians 1:19 “But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”

AS JESUS ASCENDED, THE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB, HAVING ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED BY HIM, HE SENT OTHER APOSTLES TO JOIN THEM:

Ephesians 4:11 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.”

GOD’S RECOGNIZED AND APPOINTED APOSTLES ARE MULTI-GIFTED.  2 Timothy 1:11 “For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.”

Let me give you a “heads up.”  The apostles are coming, in all shapes, colors and dimensions.  Some will be the real thing.  Others will not be.  Pray for discernment and entertain no fear.  Instead, embrace what you see in God and with wise and Godly counsel from the seasoned, experienced and proven apostles already functioning in the body of Christ.

May I recommend some good resources to you?  Some of these are currently out of print, but they are available at: http://www.amazon.com/

MOVING IN THE APOSTOLIC – John Eckhardt

APOSTLES AND THE EMERGING APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT – David Cannistraci

SPHERES OF AUTHORITY – Peter Wagner

APOSTLES – THE FATHERING SPIRIT – Bill Scheidler

What have you learned that you can share and dialogue with me and others on the BLOG? Go the bottom of this BLOG and click on “Comments.”  Please do not  send me an email. I receive so much email and the chances are that I cannot get to them all.  It is best to post your comments directly on this BLOG.

In case you are not a subscriber to our daily and free prophetic post:

Subscribe to “What the Lord Is Saying Today”

Kathy Bohlin’s blog – All God’s Children

Bev Robinson –  Bev’s Blog: Living Life to the Fullest.