The Apostolic Order

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, ISV, the Apostle Paul wrote, “God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.” Each of those gifts identified in this verse are supernatural. That means, they are not of human origin. Rather, God has deposited those gifts and callings in the Church. It’s vital we recognize each of the gifts the Church has been given. Yet, the first of those gifts and callings in that of the apostle. And that begs the question: What is an apostle? And what do apostles establish within the Church? That’s what I’d like to discuss in this post.

In prior posts, I’ve discussed the plumbline that is being set in the current Apostolic Movement. And, I’ve begun to identify who apostles are based on an examination of scripture. Of course, my posts aren’t designed to be a complete identification of apostles and apostolic ministry. That would require an entire book. But I do give some good insights into how we can identify apostles. In my last post, I discussed how the Apostle Paul said, “God set forth us, the apostles, last, as appointed to death”. 1 Corinthians 4:9, Berean Literal Bible. I also discussed why that is “we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9, Berean Standard Bible. In other words, God allows His apostles to go through severe trials for the purpose of cultivating in them a special kind of faith — an apostolic faith to raise and rise from the dead (or overcome severe trials). 

So, right here, there’s an apparent contradiction: apostles are set first in the Church, but they are set last as appointed to death. I am pointing out this contradiction not to question the veracity of the scriptures, as some might do, but rather, to point out the contradiction of the apostolic calling: it’s called to be first and last at the same time. Jesus, in His response to the request of the Apostles James and John on having a seat of authority, revealed the truth on authority to His Apostles, “whoever wants to be first must be your slave”. In fact, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Rome said this exact thing, “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.” Romans 1:1, NLT. 

 “To exercise His authority, we must submit to the authority structure of His kingdom — that authority structure is undergirded by the true governing force in Christ’s kingdom — God’s love.”—Scott Wallis

Why am I pointing this out? So you might truly understand what the apostolic calling truly entails; it’s not for the faint of heart. No one would want to be an apostle if they truly understood what being called as an apostle entails. In fact, the apostolic calling isn’t an office one pursues; rather, it’s an office that pursues the person called into it. The Apostle Paul said of his apostolic calling, “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!” 1 Corinthians 9:16, NLT. In other words, the apostolic call carries a compulsion from God unlike any other. 

Lester Sumrall

Lester Sumrall, a man of God used to establish Christ’s work around the nations, especially in the Philippines through the confrontation of a demon spirit afflicting a young girl in prison, had this exact kind of experience as a young man. God had called him to preach, but Sumrall didn’t want to preach: he considered preachers weak men who cared for the elderly and infirm, and he wanted nothing to do with it. One night, he had a dream. In that dream, he saw two choices being set before him: 1) a casket or 2) a pulpit. Needless to say, he chose the pulpit and went on to become the man of God he became — being trained by Howard Carter and receiving an impartation from Smith Wigglesworth. His calling was an apostolic calling. He didn’t choose it. Rather, God chose him.

As a result of their experience with God, apostles carry tremendous authority. They learn to become servants. They are, quite literally, slaves to their calling. Further, apostles may and usually are called to leave everything behind in their pursuit of Christ. Each of the Apostles of the Lamb “forsook all, and followed him.” Luke 5:11. NKJV. In fact, the Apostle Peter points that out to Jesus: “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” Mathew 19:27, NLT.

Jesus responded to him: “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Notice, Jesus promises them thrones of authority “judging the twelve tribes of Israel”. In Revelation 21:14, NLT, we see “The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” 

It’s impossible to disassociate the apostolic from authority. Scripture affirms they are connected. But scripture also affirms that there’s a price that goes with that calling — everything, all the time, in every situation. Again, the apostolic calling isn’t for everyone. Rather, as the Apostle Paul affirms in his letter to the church in Ephesus, “some, apostles”. Ephesians 4:11. The Apostle Paul, when establishing the apostolic order in the church at Corinth asked a simple and straightforward question: “Are all apostles?” 1 Corinthians 12:29. The obvious answer, No! 

Why did the Apostle Paul, after teaching on those gifts given to the body of Christ by and

through the Holy Spirit highlight the authority of the apostle? Simply put, there was disorder in the Corinthian church. That disorder was, in part, caused by those individuals claiming to be apostles who weren’t. The Apostle Paul confronts those individuals specifically in his second letter to the church in Corinth: “These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:13, NLT. How did they create disorder in the church at Corinth? By doing the following: “You tolerate anyone who makes you his slaves, devours what you have, takes what is yours, orders you around, or slaps your face!” 2 Corinthians 11:20, ISV. 

That kind of leadership isn’t apostolic; it’s abusive. Rather, and as Jesus affirms to His Apostles, “it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” The Apostolic Order is different from the order that governs the world — force. Instead, the Apostolic Order is governed by sacrifice and service — love. Christ’s kingdom is different than the kingdoms of this world. And to exercise His authority, we must submit to the authority structure of His kingdom — that authority structure is undergirded by the true governing force in Christ’s kingdom — God’s love.

For there to be apostolic order, there must be apostles and apostolic leaders who are able to love like Christ. How did Christ love us? He sacrificed himself for us. The Apostle Paul said of himself, “My life is like a drink offering being poured out on the altar.” 2 Timothy 4:6, CEV. Of the original twelve Apostles of the Lamb, ten were martyred. The Apostle John was the only one who wasn’t martyred, although, according to Church lore, they tried to boil him in oil. So, even he, was appointed to death. 

The true apostolic order is governed by Christ’s love, as revealed through His sacrificial death. Knowing that truth helps us understand the definition and boundaries for true apostolic authority. Apostles receive great authority through the love of Christ they carry. Not a lawless love offering unsanctified mercy. Rather, a love that pulls people out of the lowest hell and into the light of Christ’s love. That’s the Apostolic Order Christ has set in His Church. Now, may we experience it! 

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis