John Eckhardt - 50 truths concerning apostolic ministry

Contents

1. Apostles Have Been Set in the Church by God

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers...

1 Corinthians 12:28

T he word "set" is the Greek word tithemi meaning to place, appoint, ordain, put or settle. To ordain means to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law.

Apostolic ministry is ordained by God. Regardless of what men think or believe, this ministry has been ordained by God's appointment. Apostolic ministry is fruitful because it is chosen and ordained of God (John 15:16). Any ministry set and ordained by the Lord will be fruitful in spite of opposition or misunderstanding.

Apostles are set IN THE CHURCH. As long as there is "a Church", apostles will be a part. The Scripture does not say God set them only in the "EARLY CHURCH" or the "CHURCH OF THE BOOK OF ACTS" but "THE CHURCH". This includes the present day Church.

There are many who teach and believe that apostles are not for "TODAY". If there are still teachers in the Church (mentioned as thirdly in the Scripture), there are still apostles. If there are still "diversities of tongues" (mentioned last in the Scripture), there are still apostles.

2. Apostles are Set in the Church by God First

G od is a God of order, and His Word states that apostolic ministry is FIRST. "First" is the Greek word proton meaning firstly in time, place, order or importance. It also means before, at the beginning, chiefly, or first of all.

If the Church is to be successful, we must operate according to the law of FIRST THINGS. This law recognized God's order in all things. When God says, "first", He doesn't mean second, third, fourth, or when we get around to it; He means FIRST. If we fail to recognize God's order, we will not receive the fullness of blessing in what we do.

We have been guilty of overlooking this order because we have either 1) not been taught it; 2) did not see it clearly; or 3) simply rejected it. Tradition has also made this word of none effect (Mark 7:13).

Because of tradition many would rather call someone a "reverend", a "doctor", a "superintendent", or a "bishop"; but very seldom an APOSTLE. Many have ignored, avoided and attacked the office of the apostle. But God is restoring this ministry to the Church, and giving us a revelation of its purpose and function.

3. Apostolic Ministry is First in Time

T he Church was started and birthed through apostolic ministry. "First in time" means it must be recognized at the start or beginning. Churches need to be birthed and started through apostolic ministry.

Everything has a beginning. This is called the law of Genesis. Everything has a beginning and reproduces after its kind. If something begins wrong, it will usually end wrong. If it begins right, it has a better chance of ending right.

Apostles are usually the first ones to go into geographical regions to preach, to establish and plant churches, etc. They are often the first to preach certain revelations that God is releasing into the earth. Every field of study has "apostles".

There are pioneers in medicine, economics, aviation, law, civil rights, etc. These are the first people to have significant breakthroughs in their fields. It is the same in the realm of the spirit.

The apostle Peter was to experience breakthroughs among the Jews. The apostle Paul among the Gentiles. Nations, regions, cities and denominations all have apostles. These are the first IN TIME to preach a truth, establish a church, or experience a breakthrough in a nation, city, region, etc.

4. Apostolic Ministry is First in Rank

R ank is defined as a degree or position of dignity, eminence, - tv or excellence, a grade of official standing (Webster).

Even though we are all equal in Christ as to salvation, there are different ranks in the spirit. Different ranks carry different degrees of authority and power.

One of the definitions of "first" is chiefly. This means according to the highest rank or office, of greatest importance, significance, or influence.

Just as there is rank in the military, there is also rank in the "army of God". There is rank in the spirit realm. There is rank in the Godhead. There is rank among angels. There is even rank among evil spirits. All authority and power is based upon rank. We must be able to receive, walk in, and discern different rankings in the spirit.

Evil spirits recognize spiritual rank. Every believer has rank to cast out devils. Apostles walk and minister in the highest rank. Evil spirits and angels must recognize and respect their rank. They have enough rank in the Spirit to command, decree and rebuke with authority.

Their rank is within their sphere of authority. In other words, they have rank in the areas they have been assigned to by God.

5. Apostles are Pioneers

S ince apostles are set in the Church FIRST by God, they have what I call a PIONEERING anointing. A pioneer is defined as one of the first to settle in a territory. To pioneer means to open or prepare for others to follow.

Apostles have the anointing to invade new areas of revelation, ministry, or geographies. They are PATHFINDERS and TRAILBLAZERS.

Without pioneers, we would become stagnant as a Church lacking progression into new areas. Pioneers keep us moving ahead. They keep us on the "cutting edge". They help us "set a course" for the future. Others are blessed by the courage, vision, and strength of the PIONEERS. Others move into "new areas" because the way is made by the pioneer.

Apostles as pioneers preach new truths, plant new churches, establish new believers, and invade new territories with the gospel. Pioneers are not satisfied with "settling down". They must advance until all the land is possessed.

6. Apostles Have a Breakthrough Anointing

B reakthrough is defined as an act or instance of breaking through an obstruction; an offensive thrust that PENETRATES and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare (Webster).

Pioneers have the ability to break through ignorance, fear, and other obstacles that keep men from advancing. Apostolic ministry has the ability to penetrate the defenses set up by the powers of darkness. This is why it is FIRST. Someone must breakthrough first before any significant progress can be made.

Someone must have the courage, ability, and power to BREAKTHROUGH the obstacles set up by the enemy. Apostolic preaching and teaching has this penetrating power.

There must be breakthroughs in finances, television, radio, publishing, buildings, etc. We must be able to breakthrough tradition, religion, ignorance, poverty, witchcraft, pride, rebellion, etc. The apostle has the anointing to break through these things that people might be "set free" to walk in the truth.

Nations, cities and regions are "opened up" because of this breakthrough anointing. Without this "breakthrough" anointing, areas remain closed to the truth. This is why it is so difficult to breakthrough in some cities, nations or groups of people. These areas and people need a "SENT ONE"the apostles.

When apostles are sent into a region, they have the ability through the anointing to penetrate the darkness and bring light and revelation to the people. There is no substitute for the apostle. This ministry is like a "battering ram" against the citadels of the enemy.

7. Apostles are Here Today

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Ephesians 4:13

T his verse clearly tells us that all five-fold ministry will be given until we advance and arrive at oneness of faith and mature manhood and stature in Christ. If we honestly look at the condition of the Church today, we can obviously see that we have not yet arrived.