An apostle is one who is a delegate (authorized to represent Christ), messenger, one sent forth with orders. Man has somewhat restricted the meaning in order to exalt certain ones above the rest of the believers in order to maintain a higher status. Jesus intended to send those who were willing to serve all of mankind, a striking difference to what has evolved in the church over time. In Mark chapter 16, Jesus spoke:
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
This mandate was not restricted to the eleven remaining disciples but was given to all who would become disciples of Jesus Christ. Paul is a great example of one who was not among the eleven but was later converted and took on the Great Commission. Jesus had earlier sent out seventy who were a precursor to this Great Commission as well. Only those who mature in Christ are equipped to go forth in His Name. The mature Sons of GOD are among those who are to spread the Gospel with signs following. We must build up our faith so that we have the confidence to go forth in HIS power.
In Acts chapter 5, it is written by THE SPIRIT:
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Peter is the same one who denied Christ before Calvary but now is walking in the same power and authority as Jesus Christ. This must encourage us as we continue walking in The Way and moving toward a greater maturity as FATHER’S Sons and Daughters. We must not allow discouragement to come forth and dissuade us from our path. The adversary wants to move our focus away from our individual callings just as he tempted Christ at the onset of His earthly ministry.
James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
An elder is one who is known to be mature in faith by Love and walks in wisdom. Isn’t this what each of us is seeking to attain in our own walk? As we mature and become equipped, we position ourselves to be used in a greater manner by FATHER. The trappings of the world are no longer important to us as we direct our gaze on those who are lost and in need of healing. Let us prepare ourselves to be one of the “sent ones”.