Apostle Word Study

Apostle Word Study

We are in the midst of an apostolic reformation. The church is being reformed to fulfill our Lord's purpose in the earth today. In this apostolic reformation we are seeing the gift and office of the apostle restored. The apostolic leaders in this reformation will take on many of the characteristics found in admirals. They will think strategically and operationally, they'll exhibit qualities of loyalty, honor, sacrifice, and servant leadership. Did you know that historically the word we translate as apostle actually referred to a commander of a naval expedition? I also found it very interesting that the Jews would send an apostle to collect money from the various synagogues. Check out the references below.

Excerpts from Stongs Concordance:

	NT:652 apostolos (ap-os'-tol-os); from NT:649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers): KJV - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
	Examples: Matthew 10:2, Acts 2:37, Acts 14:14
	NT:651 apostole (ap-os-tol-ay'); from NT:649; commission, i.e. (specially) apostolate: KJV - apostleship.
	Examples: Acts 1:25, 1 Corinthians 9:2, Galations 2:8

Excerpt from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Abridged in One Volume, by Geoffrey W. Bromiley:

Apostole; A fairly common word for a. "dispatch of ships," b. any kind of "sending," also

active "separation," "entombment" (of a mummy). In the Jewish sphere it can have such varied senses as "tribute," "present," "dispatch of a gift," or simple "sending."

Excerpt from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois:

The Jews, it is said, called the collector of the half shekel, which every Israelite paid annually to the Temple , an apostle; also those who carried about encyclical letters from their rulers

Excerpts from William E. Wenstrom, Jr. (hyper link takes you to his study) Bible Ministries research in 2002 on the Classical usage of the word apostolos in history:

	The noun apostolos is first found in maritime language since the Greeks were a seafaring people and it was also used to refer to military expeditions.
	It was used by Greeks to designate a cargo ship, a freighter, transport ship, or a fleet sent out. (Demosthones)
	Later it denoted the commander of a naval expedition, or a band of colonists sent overseas.
	Only in two passages in Herodotus does apostolos mean envoy or emissary as a single person.
	Liddle and Scott list the following classical meanings for the word apostolos:
	Messenger, ambassador, envoy, commander of a naval force, naval squadron or expedition colony.

It does not surprise me at all that God is restoring the office of the apostle at this time. We are entering a conflict at the end of time and the precious thing at stake are the souls of men and women and their eternal destiny in heaven or in hell. We have a mandate from our Lord to go and make disciples of all nations. To do this we must fight and we must plant. Note that the historical uses of the term apostle were used first as a military expedition and later it referred to a band of colonists sent overseas.

The principle of objective states (refer to Biblical Principles and Strategies the Art of Corporate Spiritual Warfare) that first you must defeat and enemy and then after defeat you'll occupy lands, localities, cities and nations. To accomplish this a Davidic generation is being raised up.

During the time of David he brought back the presence of the Lord (Ark of the Covenant) to Mt. Zion and he established 24 hour ministry unto the Lord in prayer, praise and worship (1 Chronicles 13-16, Psalm 149, 2 Samuel 6). Then he and his army went out to conquer and expand the kingdom. There is a coming revelation in the body of Christ that our God is Lord of Hosts. He is the Lord of the Armies of Heaven! It should come as no surprise that our Lord would send Christian officers to form up the army. That is why there is a RE-Formation taking place in the church today (Ezekiel 37 & Joel 2).

One of the things we have observed in church history is that truth is being restored in the reverse order that it was lost. We have seen the office of the pastor, evangelist, teacher and most recently we've seen wide spread acceptance in the church of the office of the prophet (1980's & 1990's). During the Latter Rain movement in the 1940's and 1950's the five fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) was taught and the office of the apostle was taught. Early pioneers such as Dick Benjamin, Jim Durkin, and Dick Iverson stepped out in much controversy. During the 1990's the office of the apostle began being received by more and more and it continues to be restored. It should come as no surprise that the first gift lost was that of the apostle and now the last gift restored was that of the apostle.

As this gift is received we will see the church functioning more and more as the early church. For a glimpse at how the early church functioned check out some excerpts from Schaff's History of the Church, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1999 by Biblesoft.

In the apostolic church preaching and teaching were not confined to a particular class, but every convert could proclaim the gospel to unbelievers, and every Christian who had the gift could pray and teach and exhort in the congregation. 121 The New Testament knows no spiritual aristocracy or nobility, but calls all believers "saints" though many fell far short of their vocation. Nor does it recognize a special priesthood in distinction from the people, as mediating between God and the laity. It knows only one high-priest, Jesus Christ, and clearly teaches the universal priesthood, as well as universal kingship, of believers. 122 It does this in a far deeper and larger sense than the Old; 123 in a sense, too, which even to this day is not yet fully realized. The entire body of Christians are called "clergy" (<START GREEK>klh=roi<END GREEK>), a peculiar people, the heritage of God. 124 On the other hand it is equally clear that there was in the apostolic church a ministerial office, instituted by Christ, for the very purpose of raising the mass of believers from infancy and pupilage to independent and immediate intercourse with God, to that prophetic, priestly, and kingly position, which in principle and destination belongs to them all. 125

During the third century it became customary to apply the term "priest" directly and exclusively to the Christian ministers especially the bishops. 131 In the same manner the whole ministry, and it alone, was called "clergy," with a double reference to its presidency and its peculiar relation to God. 132 It was distinguished by this name from the Christian people or "laity." 133 Thus the term "clergy," which first signified the lot by which office was assigned (Acts 1:17,25), then the office itself, then the persons holding that office, was transferred from the Christians generally to the ministers exclusively.

Therefore, as we are watching this office restored, we'll also see an emphasis on equipping the saints (the every day believer) to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13). The five fold gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher are given as GIFTS to the Church to help them prepare to do the work of the ministry.

The apostles will think, see and act strategically. They see the big picture. They are and will be forming apostolic teams for the purpose of equipping the church so that the church can do the work of the ministry. It has been my observation and it is my opinion that the apostle has the ability to function in any of the five fold gifts if needed, though they will tend to exhibit a greater anointing or ability in one or two of the other five fold gifts. To learn about the characteristics of an apostle check out this study: Marks of an Apostle.

During this time we have begun to see a move that we are calling the "market place ministry." Others have deemed it the beginning of the "saints move." Christians are discovering that their whole life is holy unto the Lord. They are finding their ministry in the work place and the five fold ministry is equipping them to do the work of the ministry.

I pray that each of us would quickly find our place in this apostolic reformation and that we would get in rank and in file. We are going to see more teamwork, more character, and more power than we have ever seen demonstrated before as true apostles find their place and function. These apostles will not only demonstrate the power but also the character and the sacrifice of the first apostles.

Tim Taylor

The apostolic reformation will see apostles, prophets, and the fivefold ministry working together like never before, building a wall of prayer and restoring the Tabernacle of David. EncourageU and CONECT are for the equipping of the saints and to facilitate corporate teamwork in the Body of Christ. All scripture quotations, not otherwise indicated are from the New King James Version: Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. CONECT developed by Tim Taylor, Copyright © 1994-2008, Published by Watchman Ministries International , All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. All registered trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Questions or comments email wmi@watchmanministries.org