Apostolic

                                         Apostolic

 What is meant by the term "apostolic or church planter"?

Apostolic is derived from the Greek word apostolos, which means a sent out one with an emphasis on commissioning. Therefore, apostolic has the connotation that all authority and responsibility is from the sender. The New Testament uses the word apostolos in a variety of ways.

First, Jesus is called the Apostle of our confession in (Heb. 3:1) and He is the One sent from God the Father (John 20:21).

Second, there were men who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry who Jesus called apostles. These men were referred to as The Twelve and have a special place in the Kingdom of God. (Matt 10:2; Acts 1:21-26; Rev. 21:14).

Third, There are many other references to the ministry of apostles in the New Testament. Outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13, I Corinthians 12:28 they are given for the edification of the church until Christ returns. There are certainly other individuals besides the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb referred to in scripture as apostles of the churches for example, Paul, Silas, Timothy, Barnabas, James, Apollos, Epaphroditus, and certain unnamed brothren (I Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6; I Corinthians 4:6,9; Acts 14:14; Galatians 1:19; Phil 2:25; II Corinthians 8:23). Different from the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb these apostles of the churches had a primary role of establishing new and strengthening existing churches. It is noteworthy that the Latin cognate of the word apostle is missionarius from which we derive our word missionary. The church has historically recognized the need for this vital ministry, no matter what it has been called, different from that of pastor, teacher, or even evangelist. We prefer to use the word biblical Greek word apostle, instead of missionary or church planter, because it connotatively links more clearly our ministry endeavors with that of the first century church.

 What is an apostolic or church planting team?

An apostolic team is not merely a group of apostles working together, in fact “the apostolic team” may or may not have apostles on it. An apostolic team is a team of like-minded men and women (usually consisting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and other gifts including intercessors, musicians, helps, administrations, etc.) who are sent out from a local body or group of local bodies (i.e. network) to strengthen and equip a local church or region. The authority of the apostolic team stems from the “sender” and has delegated authority to act on behalf of the sender.

 Characteristics of N.A.M

Desire to follow the new testament model of sending out church planters or apostolic missions teams from the local church and not necessarily solely para-church ministries (Acts 13:1-4).

• Seeks unity with every Christian as much as possible and does not promote sectarian or denominational boundaries within the church.
• Is strongly committed to raising up leaders from within the local church who are interdependent upon each other and other churches, rather than maintaining authority from an organizational headquarters.

Has an interdependent view of the local church rather than as autonomous or independent. We recognize we all have need for our fellow brothers and sisters and that we are all living stones being built together as a holy temple, not individual churches in competition trying to occupy the same space!

ACCOUNTABILITY OF FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES

As God is restoring the apostolic and prophetic ministry to the church and the gifts of the Spirit are being activated within the saints, it is important to endeavor to operate in these ministries under proper headship. In our role as an International Headquarters and gathering of the Apostles and Prophets, we receive numerous inquiries from ministers and saints regarding accountability and headship in Apostolic and Prophetic ministry.

This two-part series will address apostolic and prophetic accountability from the perspective of five-fold ministries; and saints operating in the gifts of the Spirit. Various passages in the New Testament portray relationships between the Apostles which resulted in mutual accountability particularly between Paul and the other Apostles. By revelation of the Holy Spirit, Paul willingly submitted his ministry to the leaders in Jerusalem to ensure that his ministry would not be in vain, Ga. 2:2. James, Peter, and John witnessed in the Spirit and agree that Paul and Barnabas should go to the Gentiles, and extended to Paul the right hand of fellowship, vs. 9. In Scripture the right hand represents strength, cf. Is 41:10. Benjamin was a warrior who excelled in strength, and his name means "son of my right hand." As Samuel grew as a prophet, the Bible notes that "all Israel ...knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord", I Sa. 3:20. The Hebrew for "established" is the same root word meaning "turn to the right", in the sense that the right hand is stronger and more dexterous. The right hand of fellowship meant that strength and establishment was given Paul by the agreement of the brethren.

Therefore, Paul's authority to minister was based not only on the call of God, but also on the witness and confirmation of the other apostles which provided the necessary strength and credibility for his ministry.

• NOTE: Paul allowed his ministry and doctrine to be judged, but not his calling. Ga. 1:15, 16.

Later when a doctrinal disputation arose among believers concerning circumcision of Gentile converts, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to submit this question to the apostles there. Even though Paul was the foremost apostle among the Gentiles, he willingly submitted this question to the other Apostles who ministered mainly among the Jews because he realized that issues which affect the corporate body of Christ must be submitted to recognized eldership who have a translocal authority. Acts 15 relates the apostles sharing together and the wisdom of God which is imparted through such openness, causing this potentially divisive situation to be solved and healed. Paul and Barnabas were sent back with Judas and Silas to take this message to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia under the authority of the apostles in Jerusalem, Acts 15:22, 23.

It's interesting to note that later in this chapter Paul and Barnabas disagree on taking John Mark with them on another journey, the contention being so sharp that they parted ways, Paul taking Prophet Silas and Barnabas taking John Mark. There is no reference that this matter was considered serious enough to take to the apostles in Jerusalem for arbitration, indicating that matters of daily ministry don't require this type of oversight like the doctrinal question discussed earlier. Many five-fold ministers fear that submitting their ministries to those over them in the Lord means domination of their daily decision making.

Accountability is not accomplished by heavy handed authority imposed on every facet of your personal ministry. It must be a willing submission to those recognized as apostles And elders in the body of Christ, who then lovingly give input and care to those areas of concern worthy of their attention.  At  N.A.M each ministry has a particular vision and mandate from God, and need to fulfill that vision. The reason so many churches are desiring to network and develop relationships which result in accountability is to receive general oversight and quality resources from established ministries with a history of fruitfulness.