Running Behind

Hey all, first off let me assure you that I have not forgotten about the Apostles post and will hopefully get it up tonight. Thanks for all of your input and opinions; please know that I read them all and will use many in the post.

I am way behind in just about everything. The sinus problem has turned into another infection, but seems to have hopefully run its course. If I didn't write about it before, let me briefly explain. I started with a horrible sinus infection because they just would not drain. The doctors finally ran a CT scan and saw what they thought was a tumor in one of those sinuses. After further testing, and lots of laying on of hands at Church, it turns out to be a cyst which is being treated with steroids and another round of antibiotics...but the doctor thinks it is nothing to worry about. Can I get a Praise the Lord!! Another Victory in the Name of Jesus!!

But of course, the enemy cannot let someone who blacks his eye off easy, so the back problems flared up again, resulting in ANOTHER surgery last Wednesday (the 18th). Turned out to be a very, very painful procedure. And of course, I went on the 25 mile horse ride the following Saturday and pulled the stitches out. But I gave the kids my word (from the ministry...these kids parents are either in jail or undergoing treatment for addiction, but my kids went too) and they really need a good role model, so it was worth the extra pain. Still a little tender, but all in all doing better. Sometimes the Lord delivers us from things, and some He delivers us through; these back problems that came as a courtesy of Uncle Sam are one of the things He delivered me through. As much as I wished He would totally deliver me from it, I must accept that He is the Master of all Things, and His Word says that "by His stripes we ARE healed". Notice He did not say: might, or maybe, or if you belong to this denomination or that one, or "if it is His will", He said we ARE healed. And I rest on that promise, and take the little Victories in great anticipation of the greater one that I absolutely know is coming.

For those asking about the ministry website, please understand that we WILL get it complete, but things here on the ground have to take priority. We are still having "online success" with the food addiction program, and will incorporate that soon. OR...pray that God blesses us with the financial ability to hire a Webmaster to do all of this for us, as my web building skills are limited, and as of yet we do not have anyone who is much better.

We had to turn down one of our grants because the new administration does not want us to include "Christ" in our treatment plan. Well, God really does not need the money and I know He will provide a replacement. I will not allow this ministry to compromise the Word of God, or our belief statement. We would not have a 96% success rate if it were not for Christ, and we accomplished without their grant. We took a lot of heat, and I was even called a fool by our Senator for refusing the money, but if I am a fool, I am a fool for Christ.

Again, hope to have the post up later tonight, and thanks again for the prayers. They are much appreciated. God Bless you all richly, and may you all prosper even while the world around you perish!

Up coming post

OK here's the deal on the upcoming post's. On here you know I have my opinions, rants, raves, and even some really good spiritual lessons and all. But on these coming up, I am going to do some teaching. I will be learning at the same time, so bear with me. I will do the first one on Apostles later this week. The article I posted earlier had some history on what the modern church, or at least the Pentecostals, believe and where they are going today. I am interviewing some other denominations to get their views. Believe you me, I know all 1500 or so of you are not Pentecostals, as your e-mails about "choice" and "grace" have shown. But still, only one posted on here, so you will never get to see the rest of them.

My next post will be on prophets. Basically a history, the difference between a New Testament and Old Testament prophet, and why there are not more prophets speaking in the church today like the Scripture says their should. (read 1 and 2 Corinthians before you write to tell me prophesy died with the 12 Apostles)

And the last will be on the Spiritual Gifts; basically what they are, and why they are not manifested in all of the churches today. Some have a few, some have a lot, some have none, but none, or at least very few have all. I will speak at length on why I think that is so, and why I think they are present but not being manifested.

Keep me in your prayers, as I once again am having some health problems. I have an cyst in one of my sinuses that has abscessed and is trying to get into my brain...can't have that can we. I need that thing. Seems like Satan is trying everything in his power to keep me from going on the missions trips I have planned for the summer and fall. But since I was called, I WILL go. For God would not have called me if He was not going to equip me to go, right??

Until next time, may the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you beyond measure and manifest Himself in your life and actions. And remember above all else: LOVE. Without it, your Christian walk is worthless. It should shine in everything you do. Amen.

Jesse

Are there still Apostles?

New Note: Sorry for all of the mistakes in grammar and all in the original post. I have now fixed most of them. I would like to add to the disclaimer that the article is posted as a reference point and some background history on the subject. In my next post, I will use the scriptures to let you know what I think and believe about Apostles. Thanks to all that pointed out the grammar, and on the disclaimer let me add again, I know many of you are not Pentecostal and are from many denominations, and even some non-denominational churches as well. I just wanted to be sure everyone knew my background. Thanks again for reading!

This post is in response to an e-mail question I received the other day. BTW, sorry it has been so long since the last post, but have been going through finals at school and preaching a Revival at the same time. Really no excuse, but just wanted to keep you all updated.

The question was: "Are their still Apostles in the Church today? My Church teaches that Apostles, Prophets, and miracles told about in the book of Acts stopped when the last Apostle (John) died. I can find no biblical references stating that these had quit, or that the gifts in 1 Corinthians are no longer valid?"

This is a great question, and is debated even among us Evangelicals. As most of you that attend church know, Pentecostals teach and believe that the Spiritual Gifts and the Church Offices spoken of in the New Testament are still valid. (Disclaimer: I believe this also, and am also a Pentecostal; I am a member of the Church of God, Cleveland). I will address all three in three different posts. Below you will find an article from Charisma Magazine Online by J. Lee Grady which does an outstanding job going over the history and current goings on of this debate within the Evangelical community. I will post later on my thoughts, and will address Prophets and Spiritual Gifts in later posts. Until next time, be blessed, and enjoy the article. You can find many more articles of this kind by clicking the link for Faith News on the left of the blog.

The Bible tells us there are both true and false apostles. Let’s learn to discern the difference.

By J. Lee Grady

For many years traditional denominations taught that the ministry of the apostle passed away after the New Testament era. It was assumed that the only people who served in apostolic roles were early followers of Jesus who witnessed His resurrection. Cessationists (those who believe that miracles stopped after the canon of Scripture was completed) believe that healing, deliverance, prophecy and all other supernatural phenomena ceased and that apostles are no longer necessary.

But as Christians in recent years began to experience the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, church leaders and even some theologians began to teach that the gift of apostle is vital if we hope to advance the gospel in our generation. The logic makes sense: If we still need pastors, teachers and evangelists (all part of Jesus’ five-fold ministry mentioned in Ephesians 4:11), we also need the apostles and prophets who are listed in the same passage. The Bible never says these functions were discontinued.

During the 1990s there was a renewed interest in the ministry of the apostle. Many books were written on the topic, explaining that the Greek word apostolos refers to God’s special ambassadors, or “sent ones,” who are commissioned to contend for pure doctrine, preserve unity among the saints, equip leaders, model Christian character and help the church advance into new territory.

But a strange thing happened on the way to recovering genuine apostolic anointing. In true American fashion we began to merchandise it.

No sooner had the first book on apostles been written that some men began to claim the title and print it on their business cards. Apostleship became a fad. Before too long, some men were creating networks of independent churches answerable to a governing apostle who took ownership of their buildings and controlled their congregations.

Some charismatic apostles became mini-popes who carved out their fiefdoms. Suddenly the independent charismatic movement had more invasive authoritarianism than the denominations these pastors abandoned 10 years earlier.

In some circles apostles demanded total allegiance from the leaders who were “under” them. Some required a policy of “tithing up,” creating a monstrous organizational structure similar to a spiritual Amway. So-called apostles with huge “downlines” made exorbitant amounts of money. One leader even offered pastors the opportunity to become “spiritual sons” by contributing $1,000 a month to his ministry.

Apostolic covering could now be bought. And apostolic grace was reduced to the level of a motivational coach. May God forgive us for reducing the value of such a precious gift.

I still believe we need the apostolic anointing—and I know many wonderful apostles who have planted churches in many parts of the world. As I have watched them, and studied the life of the apostle Paul, I’ve seen three key truths we must reclaim today:

1. True apostles are servants. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:28: “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” (NASB, emphasis added). When carnally minded people read this verse they assume God has set up some kind of ecclesiastical hierarchy, with apostles sitting on thrones at the top.

But if we view leadership in the way Jesus taught it, we know that being first is not about being on top. Apostles are at the bottom of the pecking order. They are the servants of all. And because they serve a foundational role, their work will often remain hidden in obscurity. They are not looking for fame or celebrity, nor are they grasping for a title; their role is to empower everyone else.

2. True apostles are unselfish. I know one apostle in India who goes by the name of Pastor Howell. He has planted 600 churches in the Punjab region, trained countless young church leaders in a makeshift Bible school and led thousands of people to Christ. He has also seen whole villages impacted by the gospel through one miracle of healing. He has never ridden in a limousine and he lives in a modest home with a straw roof that he shares with about 12 Bible college students.

The apostle Paul would have gagged if he could see how some modern American apostles profit from their downlines or how they require pampered treatment. Apostleship has nothing to do with privilege. In fact Paul sometimes made tents for a living in order to avoid the appearance of entitlement.

3. True apostles share Christ’s suffering. True apostles live on the edge. They push the boundaries of Christianity forward, into hostile territory—and as a result they encounter more than their fair share of persecution and spiritual warfare. They are never content to live in a comfort zone. Yet even in foreign prisons they find joy and fulfillment.

One of my new heroes is a Nigerian pastor named Tunde Bolanta, who bases his ministry in the dangerous northern area of his country. I spent time with him last month when I was visiting England. He lives in a city where Muslims have killed pastors, maimed Christians with machetes and drowned their children in wells.

For Tunde, apostleship is not about getting the best seat on a plane or having the largest TV audience. It is about teaching his congregation to remain faithful to Christ even when receiving death threats. And it is about sending his church members into difficult regions where they could face martyrdom.

As our nation faces a turbulent economic crisis, I pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to shake the greed, pride and self-centeredness out of our movement. False apostles prefer the primrose path over the Calvary road. May God grant us true apostolic anointing that is marked by New Testament courage, unquestionable integrity and Christ-like humility.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

(Source: Charisma online)