Apostles Today
Disambiguation
Lesson 9 of 13
Although many today claim to be returning the church to the true pattern of the book of Acts through what is call the “5-Fold Ministry,” this faith model is not true Apostolic Governance. Let’s examine some key differences:
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Faith Model #1: Transitioning the Church into Apostolic Governance
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One doctrine of Christ?
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Yes. Apostles teach the other callings and the body of Christ is brought into one faith. All follow the same one blueprint of truth. One truth, which is Jesus Christ. Not many truths. Liberating the church from the false journey of “seeking truth.” (Acts 2:42)
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Accountability in
Truth?
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Yes. Accountability is in Jesus Christ so accountability is in truth, liberating the church from false accountability standards and trying to perfect faith in the flesh. Faith is measured against Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:9)
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The Priesthood of Jesus Christ?
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Yes. The priesthood of the of Jesus Christ is restored. All believers function in the same priesthood. (1 Peter 2:5)
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The Covenant of Jesus Christ?
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Yes. The terms of the covenant are set in Jesus Christ, His knowledge, His Priesthood, and the spiritual tools of His covenant. (Hebrews 8:6-10)
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Figure 1
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Faith Model #2: Transitioning the Church into the 5-Fold
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One doctrine of Christ?
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No. Each still holds to independent truths. The Body is still on the journey towards one whole truth. Apostles do not have one framework of truth so cannot teach one doctrine. The Body remains in bondage on the false journey towards truth. (2 Timothy 3:7)
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Accountability in Truth?
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No. Accountability is still in the individual, which keeps the church subject to the flesh. Faith is measured against loss, pain, and sin. (Romans 10:3)
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The Priesthood of Jesus Christ?
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No. The priesthood of the flesh still dominates faith as believers try to serve God with those things that God has not sanctified in Christ, and therefore defile the soul. (Philippians 3:3)
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The Covenant of Jesus Christ?
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No. The terms of the covenant are set within self and mixed with many diverse standards that speak to the flesh about many promises. (2 Peter 2:19)
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Figure 2
Here we again see the importance of Apostolic Governance to set the original foundation of truth within the heart of each believer. By this truth the covenant terms are known, believed, and abided in, and removed from the flesh to the Spirit. Let’s take a moment to disambiguate that:
Fleshly Covenant
The covenant of the flesh is reflected in the terms that bind believers to a system to which they are responsible to each other in an effort to please God. The heart and mind is challenged with everything that keeps people accountable to the system, keeps it running, and reflects its integrity—this is the yoke that believers are asked to shoulder. Accountability is set within the system for the obtainment of Gods’ blessings.
God empowers faith when it is joined to those things He has sanctified in Christ. Faith disjoined from the pattern (record and blueprint) of Jesus Christ is disjoined from the witness of the Holy Spirit. Much like a train derailing. No grace is issued, no comfort of the Holy Ghost, no edification, exhortation, nor comfort, and no spiritual transformation is taking place.
The covenant of the flesh follows the “anointing of man”: “Anointed speakers,” “anointed writers,” “anointed for a healing ministry,” “anointed prophet/teacher” etc., are all examples of the word “anointing” being redefined to support a gospel that is removed from the Headship of Jesus Christ. In this context, the strengths, talents and giftings of the human signature combined with the extrapolation of principles from Bible characters and events are mistakenly viewed as God’s empowerment, God’s will, or God’s sanctified operation.
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