Introduction
We are living in a time where there is a thick darkness on the earth and yet a thick powerful glory of the church. We are moving into biblical times and must be ready for it. Though, we do not know how long this time will take, we understand that the world is changing at a high speed and we see signs of what the Bible describes as the end time and restoration of the Church.
The church must be apostolic!
Matthew 16:13-19 (ESV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
1. An apostolic church is a church with a mission
Apostle: someone sent on a mission with mandate and authority, on behalf of the king/authorities
The Apostolic Church live in the calling of bringing the gospel to the world.
Isaiah 52:10 (ESV)
The LORD has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
Isaiah 42:4 (ESV)
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.
2. An apostolic church is a church of power and authority
We have Jesus on our side and both He and the devil listens to us.
Matthew 16:18-19 (NIV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
We have Jesus on our side and both He and the devil listenes to us.
Acts 10:38 (ESV)
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
John 15:16 (ESV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
The apostolic church is deeply rooted in the New Testament Christianity
- The life and ministry of Jesus
- The Acts
- The revelation of the epistles.
Signs of the spiritual life of the church
- The power for supernatural miracles
- A deep appreciation, revelation and intimacy with Jesus
- A strong revelation of the cross and
- Who we are in Christ
It is impossible to be an apostolic church and carry shame, feeling of guilt, insufficiency and condemnation. We need a powerful revelation of who we are in Christ and the free access we have to the father.
4. The mountain top is where you get the vision.
Moses built the tabernacle according to what was showen him on the mountain top.
Psalms 2:1-9 (ESV)
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”