According to Hebrews 3:1, Jesus was known as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Jesus demonstrated for us what true apostleship looked like. "He lived to bring His Father's kingdom here on earth (Matthew 6:10)."

He took the word the Father had given Him and gave it to the disciples who followed him wholeheartedly (John 17) knowing they would take that word and make disciples of nations. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

Jesus laid down His life for the brethren and for the world in order to save it. He is the foundation that was laid. Love! Upon this foundation of Christ Himself a church is built.

"The Apostolic should reflect the heart of the Father and Jesus. Apostles desire to fulfill the word and mandate the Lord has given them in order to establish an apostolic people who will go and make disciples and release the kingdom of heaven as Jesus taught. Preaching the gospel, healing the sick, bringing liberty to the oppressed and casting out demons, as well as raising the dead and cleansing those with leprosy or in today's times, incurable chronic diseases." (Matthew 10:7,8)

"True apostles desire to see the body of Christ become all she is called to be and to provide a foundation in which to launch every believer into their God given destinies." (Ephesians 2:10) "They are true fathers that live in order to multiply themselves and to see the children of God grow up into the fullness of Christ, empowered by Holy Spirit, fully matured and as a chaste virgin prepared for Christ Himself." (Ephesians 2, 4, II Cor. 11:2)

"Scripture places apostles first in order, yet, they are the servant of all." (I Cor. 12:28) Working together with the prophet, evangelists, pastors and teachers, helps and administrations, the true anointing of Jesus pours down the beard where the unity of the Spirit is poured out and upon a God given government to establish His kingdom on earth as the saints are raised up! Simply put, the apostle receives the mandate of the Lord, establishes it and raises up the people of God to accomplish it through the love and glory presence of the Lord!

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-From whom the whole body, joined and fitted together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.� (Eph. 4:11-16)

Jesus is very serious about His saints being supernaturally equipped and matured to the level of Christ's ministry and maturity. Christ Jesus is going to deal very severely with fivefold ministers - apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers - who are not willing to fulfill His original purpose for calling and commissioning them. Resources and know-how are now available for equipping the saints. Heads of churches and ministries will stand without an acceptable excuse when Jesus asks, Why didn't you equip My saints for My body’s sake and prepare them to be reapers in the great harvest by activating them in their supernatural gifts and ministries?" The Day of the Saints, Dr. Bill Hammond, p. 201.

"And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations and varieties of tongues.� I Cor. 12:28

Apostles specialize in supernatural signs and wonders. They give building strategy and lay foundations, along with the prophet, in the lives of people and the local church. The prophet receives the blueprint for the building of the church, but the apostle is the master builder. Biblical examples of apostles' ministry to the saints reveal that they help found and ground the saints in foundations of the faith and present truth. Apostles' miraculous signs and wonders enable saints to be delivered from evil spirits, disease, and strongholds in their lives. Some apostles not only demonstrate the supernatural but are able to activate the saints in their power gifts of the Holy Spirit. Apostles are often sent to establish new works and then to support those works. Apostle Paul founded many of the local churches in the New Testament. Apostles in the marketplace may be those who launch a business or who form a network to accomplish certain purposes. As initiators and those who help provide structure and leadership, apostles make a place for the saints. They provide platform where others can serve God through their unique gifting. The apostles have the special ability to be master builders of the saints and their calling and ministry. Apostles will be key in helping transform saints from pew-sitters to active participants in the day of the saints. Day of the Saints, Dr. Bill Hammond, p. 183-184

God is restoring the biblical structure of the church in preparation for a great harvest (Amos 9:11-13). A new apostolic church government and structure is forming God is planting apostolic centers led by unified teams of apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and ministries. This apostolic movement is so new that many are walking cautiously into it, but God is looking for those ready to pay the price to contend for this move of God.

The Lord is searching for those hungry for spiritual gifts, mantles, anointing, and commissioning, and ready for a change of identity, position, and influence. Apostles are missionaries, sent ones, and messengers who plant Christian faith in ones who initiate moral reform or advocate important Holy Spirit inspired principles, ideas, or convictions. Apostles are not self-appointed and they are not appointed by any man, institution, church, or government initiative apart from the direction of the Holy Spirit. The main characteristics of those with genuine apostolic anointing and authority are:

1.Separation (Romans 1:1) Apostles are instructed by God to live a consecrated life, totally separated to His purpose and call.

2.Fathers (I Cor. 4:15) All apostles are fathers [not limited to male gender], yet not all fathers in the faith are apostles. True apostolic anointing produces loving fathers who reproduce mature sons and daughters in Christ.

3.Team counsel (Acts 15:6). An apostle has a team spirit and when gathering with other apostles and elders, embraces their wisdom.

4.Signs, Wonders, and Perseverance (II Cor. 12:12). Notably, true apostles never give up easily. They persevere in signs, wonders, and mighty deeds, and do not easily become disappointed or discouraged.

5.Humility (Philippians 2:3). An apostle walks in humility, as Paul modeled.

6.Servant hood (I Cor. 10:32-33; 11:1). Paul told the Corinthians to follow Christ as he did; they were to live solely for the glory of God and with a servant's heart toward others. This humble commitment of love is a mark of the apostolic anointing.

7.True Revelatory Gifting (Gal. 1:11, 12). True apostles receive the anointing to preach the gospel through the revelation of Jesus Christ just as Paul did. They should possess a strong, accurate, revelatory, and prophetic anointing. They have supernatural experiences frequently, with visions, dreams, prophetic words, and open-heaven living. They are gifted in the apostolic and prophetic, and like Paul, they can minister in both areas to shake cities and plant churches with signs and wonders.

8.Character (Romans 5:3-5) God wants to raise up apostles with impeccable character who can be completely trusted. He repeatedly tests apostles, using trials and tribulations to reveal their level of character. Not only do tribulations help build character, they also produce perseverance and hope. Apostles who patiently allow God to refine their character will be fully equipped and will carry strong authority to bring the gospel of hope, power, and love to the world.

9.Breaking Out (Romans 15:20.21) Like Paul, modern-day apostles pioneer into new territory. They don't build on anyone else's foundation. Apostles enjoy the adventure of new frontiers; their hearts are set on pilgrimage.� pp. 740, Open Heavens Bible.

More Scriptures: I Cor. 3:6-10 II Cor. 4, 6 Eph. 2:20 Eph. 3:8-10

Brandy Helton, John 15