 Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this morning's class. Let's begin with a word of prayer. Could one of us please go ahead and lead in prayer? Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you under the name of Jesus. We thank you for this day. We thank you for the class you are about to have. God, we pray that you will be with us and help us to open our mind and heart and listen to the deep truths that are being taught by Pastor Nancy. Help us to understand that Jesus, you are the God. Teacher is you are the God who gives us the revelation. We pray that we will learn something new today and we can glorify you much more better in our life. I pray for a good Wi-Fi connection throughout the session. I pray for all of you who are fascinated over here and worried about to come be with us, guide us. We bless them all in your name. We give you all the glory. Jesus, may we pray. Amen. So we've been talking about apostolic ministry and we're gaining a better understanding of what this ministry is all about. We are gaining understanding about the office of an apostle. And I shared last time that the way we see a progression in the prophetic ministry, a similar progression can be considered even in the apostolic ministry. There are some people who are in the office of the prophet. However, in general, believers can be very apostolic and we defined apostle. We said that apostle is he is sent from somewhere or they are messengers or a greater, not just taking a message, but with a greater responsibility of a mandate of enforcing the kingdom. So an ambassador would be a better term to describe the apostle. After having understood some of these basic things about an apostle, we also saw how in the book of Acts, the apostles had certain features that they were assigned territory by God. Now, territory is not only a physical space or a region, but also a community of people. So we saw how Peter was called to the Jews when Paul is called to the Gentiles. We also saw how they were endowed with supernatural power. The grace of God, grace gifts were given to flow in this call of an apostle. We saw how they are pioneers who had governmental authority to make decisions for the body of Christ. And they to a large extent were concerned about the longevity of the church, the structure, the governmental structure of the church. So they took responsibility in appointing elders, appointing leaders in the church. They were also people who experienced persecution. We saw how they became the target of persecution most of the time and they suffered for the sake of the gospel. We then looked at the life of Apostle Paul and we saw how God took him through an entire preparation journey. So whenever the call is great, the preparation also is very great because God is forming. He's shaping a person's character provided they are willing to yield to the work of God in their lives. So Apostle Paul journeyed, we saw how there were 17 silent years in his life. But what God wanted to do through him began to be displayed. Once in Acts chapter 13 he was commissioned along with Barnabas. And then you see in the next years that followed Apostle Paul did incredible feats for the work of God. He accomplished mighty things. So with this we have a picture of what an Apostle is or who an Apostle is, what Apostolic ministry looks like. So these classes you could take it up as trying to form an image of what the Apostolic looks like, who an Apostle is. So bits and pieces, we are taking all the information that we have to describe this particular ministry. And I've already stated earlier that though we're talking about all these features, we still cannot box God up and say that an Apostle will talk like this, walk like this, do exactly these things. So it's very difficult to state that the Apostolic looks a certain way all the time. There can be features of the Apostolic ministry but the ministry can be very different compared to other ministries. And I was talking about how in our time Apostolic ministry can not just be a field of arts. Somebody can be very Apostolic in the field of business. So if we don't have an open mind then we can miss it. So that is why we know the features but we have to be open to all that God is doing. And God is very creative in the way he establishes these things. So our minds must be open while we try to identify Apostolic or an Apostle. So now we are at chapter 4 in our notes where we continue to study the function and characteristics of Apostolic ministry. And we could consider these for the present day. So even today these things are applicable. And so we are going to look at the governmental authority that Apostles carry, character building. We are going to look at spiritual gifts that an Apostle or in the Apostolic ministry one would need to carry, the anointing that they need to carry, the ability to pioneer new ground, working with people, establishing Kingdom principles, Kingdom truth, Kingdom order in and among local churches. So these all would be seen in through Apostolic ministry. So Apostles what are they doing right now? In the present day what are people who have Apostolic ministry doing right now? That's the question we are asking. So the first thing that they do is to pioneer for the extension of God's Kingdom. Apostle Paul is a classic example. We find that he was a pioneer. Pioneer is anyone who breaks ground, new ground. There can be two types of people. One is where we just manage what we have, we make it better, we see growth in what is given to us. That's fine, fair enough. But when we talk about the Apostolic, we are looking at this ability to enter new territory or increase the work of the ministry or the Kingdom work by expanding into new things, extending into new things. And that is how even Apostle Paul described this Apostolic ministry. Let us read two passages and then I'll explain a little bit more. So can somebody please pick up from 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 13 through 16 and one more person can please read 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 28. 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13 through 16. Yes. We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened and the boundaries of the work God has given us, which are working with you. We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you. As if we have never received you, for we were the first to have all created for them with the good news of Christ. Nor do we believe that if someone else has done, instead we hope that your faith will go so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. Then we will be able to go and reach the good news in other places far beyond you where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else's territory. As the scripture says, if you want to boast, boast only about the Lord. Could another person please read the next scripture here that is 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 28. And God has appointed these in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps administrations, varieties of trumps. Thank you. Thank you so much, Rosalind. So, as we can see here, the first passage which Jeffina read. It's talking about the limits in NKJV, it says verse 13. But within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us, a sphere which especially includes you. And then he goes on to talk about that sphere. In the end of verse 15, he says that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere. Then verse 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment. So, we notice that they are already appointed. In this case, Apostle Paul, what is he saying? He's saying that they are extending their work into the places where God has called them. So, sphere is the responsibility that God has given us. Let's say God has given us a community of people that we are responsible for. Or God has given us a nation that we are responsible for. Or God has given us, as I was stating, one of the seven mountains of influence which we are responsible for. So, he's saying that the apostolic has entered into that sphere. And he's also saying that I won't try to enter any other sphere. So, as the Lord appoints the person, what are they doing? They're extending into those spheres that God is giving to them. And last time I told you, consider this as, you know, there's this thick forest and we are going to make use of the land now. But the thick forest is what has been given to us. So, there are weeds, there are trees, there's, you know, a lot of wild things growing. So, one has to break into this new territory, make way, make a path, then, you know, begin to clean up the place. So, it's about entering the place and then causing the place to thrive. So, all that is what the apostolic does. So, Paul is saying that one sphere has been given, we have entered that sphere, we are working there and we don't try to enter, you know, another person's sphere. So, being led by God. And in 1 Corinthians 12-28, it says something like, you know, God has given first the apostle, first the apostle. So, what is the meaning of first the apostle? Does it mean that the apostle is better than all other ministry offices? Because some people take it that way. So, there is an hierarchy, right? Like we respect the pastor, but we respect the prophet more. Or we respect the prophet, but we respect the apostle more. Is that the correct way of looking at this scripture? Well, when we go to the Greek, that word first there is proton. And proton simply means first in time. First in time. It also means first in order, rank, importance. However, the meaning that we are going to assign to this first is pioneer. A pioneer is the one who goes into uncharted territory and they take over. So, it's a tough task. They are the ones who go first. Like you have all these expeditions, right? Where people go find a new place. They are the first ones to reach there. So, proton. First in time, they went there. So, does it make them the most important person? Not really. Because yes, they went first. But then we need a lot of other people to come in and a lot of other work needs to get done. So, that's how we are going to look at it. So, pioneer. When you say proton, the term that needs to come to our minds is pioneer. The person who goes first and makes way. As pioneers, what do these apostles do? There's going to be a little bit of overlap. As I talk, you might find that I'm coming back to the same topic a little later on. But yeah, just bear with me. So, while we talk about pioneers, just to explain to us in the spiritual terms, what are those new things that the apostle is going to pioneer? Revelation. Okay. Or understanding of the truth of God's Word. There is something known as the present truth, which Apostle Paul writes about. I won't go into the details of it. What is the present truth? Are we changing scripture? Are we changing doctrines? No. Everything remains the same. But in a given time, Holy Spirit breeds on those same words and brings it to life so that something is accomplished through that word, which has always existed in the logos for us. So that is the meaning of the present truth. Whenever we say something new truth, revelation, it doesn't mean that we are overriding scripture. But it simply means that the Holy Spirit is breathing upon the scriptures in such a way that a dimension, which we probably did not know, or a dimension which we probably did not understand fully, is now coming alive. So apostles, through apostles, God does that. Then they pioneer. How else do they pioneer? They expand into new territories. So you would find people with the apostolic calling, they are very bold. They try new things. They are the kind who will be brave to try and fail. They don't mind. So that's the kind of anointing which they carry, new territories. People may not have even thought that this can be done, but they give it a shot. They move it. So they pioneer in this way, new territories, new truth, revelation, new territories. They are also about leading. Leading from the front. So what happens is because they are proton, they enter first. People may be scared of taking on certain things. Can we really do this? Can we really run the ministry like this? An apostolic anointing will step in. It will lead the way. So when people notice that the apostle is actually doing it and he's moving forward in this new territory, it gives the others a lot of confidence and they begin to step in. They begin to recognize what God is actually doing. So this is the manner in which the whole pioneering, extending of the kingdom of God happens through the apostle. Yeah, so pioneering is one thing. So today, in the present times, when we see an anointing on an individual or a ministry which is pioneering into new territories, we could look at it and say, this is apostolic. So this is how you recognize the apostolic in the current times. Then apostles, the apostolic lays lasting foundations. So what does it mean? Lasting foundations is a kind of work which will carry on for a long time to come. So generally, what we notice is in the apostolic, we find that new churches are planted. New people are... God leads them to identify new people, groom new people, nurture new people and plant new churches. So today, when we see ministries where churches are being planted in and through that ministry, many churches, it's growing. That's apostolic actually. Many new churches are being planted. Leaders are being groomed. So then what happens? You see, if it's only about one pastor and his congregation, it is subject to the lifetime of people in that congregation. If they are good at investing into the lives of the younger people, then great. It will carry on for a little longer. But when you talk about the apostolic, what happens is under that anointing, many ministries, churches are planted. So then we are actually talking about a work that can sustain way longer than just two generations or something. But the apostolic in that sense is forward looking and it lays strong foundations. So that's another feature. So when we look at ministries that are planting strong churches, raising up leaders, we would say that ministry is apostolic. And a leader who is able to do that, we would say they are apostolic or maybe they are even called into the office of an apostle. What else do they do? They execute divine plans. As the Lord gives them ideas, as the Lord gives them that creative ability, they implement these ideas and they impact the regions for the gospel. So we could say something like, as I was saying, the last class technology. Something God gives an idea with technology, launch this or launch the program and then you begin to notice that in that period of time, a lot of people are impacted because technology was harnessed. So that impartation of divine plans and creative ideas is also a feature of the apostolic. So you might find that apostolic ministries are always on the cutting edge of things. They're trying new things. They are trying they are developing their skills and abilities. They want to get better at doing stuff and whatever they are doing is making a difference. It's impacting people. They're doing things in a new way and it's actually impacting the lives of people. So the important part is one is yes, God gives some creative plans but the apostles are generally the kind who push for these things to get done. So they're very good at execution. They get the plan also they move in, they get their team energized and they get things done. So that's another feature of the apostles because their goal is we got to impact cities, nations leave behind a legacy. So you see they're thinking in a completely different way. They're not thinking just me, my church, my building, my people the vision is so much larger impact. Even cities, nations execute the plans and purposes of God. So that's the way in which they actually work. Let's also read now 1st Corinthians 3 and verse 10. Could somebody kindly read this for us? 1st Corinthians chapter 3 verse 10 but God has revealed them to us his spirit but God has revealed them to us through his spirit for the spirit searches all things yes, the deep things of God. Rosalind, please excuse me. I meant 3 verse 10. Did I say 2? Okay, sorry. Yeah. According to the grace of God which was given to me as a vice master builder, I have laid the foundation and another builds on it but let each one take heed how he builds on it. Yes, that's right. Thank you so much. So as you can notice, look at the way Paul is thinking he's not just running the program, right? We should have a church service. We need a lot of people that's in the moment. But he's saying according to the grace of God which was given to me as a vice master builder, I have laid the foundation. So he has done certain things, you know, spiritually through prayer, through teaching of the word, you know by selecting leaders, appointing leaders. So he has done certain things in such a way and we know that Apostle Paul is also one of the founding apostles because he is involved in the writing of doctrine which now we don't have founding apostles. So he was involved in all these things. He has built a foundation he's saying wisely, I laid the foundation and he's actually okay with the thought of the work continuing. He's not threatened or insecure by somebody else taking over. See because it's about the work. It's about the work. So he's saying I laid the foundation and another builds on it but let each one take heed how he builds on it. So I'm very smart, very wise very, you know thinking long term, looking into the future and forcing the possibilities that is an apostolic mindset and that is how Paul is saying the work should be done. So even today these would be the features when as ministries or apostolic people when we do something we want to leave behind a legacy just doing church and being happy with it that's not apostolic. We can even do church creatively but still it's not apostolic but when we leave behind a legacy, lasting foundations, we can talk about these things a little later also. So what do these things mean? What happens is long after we are gone, the kingdom work can continue. People can still receive from it and thrive and grow. That is apostolic. So that kind of a ministry, that kind of a leader we would say they are apostolic. Now what else? Let's just see the apostles, a guarded doctrine So even today, if we study the scriptures we notice that in the last days it says, last days is after Jesus is death, burial, resurrection ascension. So from then the last days have started but we are in the last of the last days and as we study epistles of Peter as we study epistles of Apostle John, what did they say? In the last days there will be apostates. There will be people who will come up with heretical teachings. So there will be every wind of doctrine, Paul talks about that don't be swayed by every wind of doctrine. So there are going to be many wrong teachings there are going to be deviations from the standard of God's word but you know what the apostolic does? The apostolic is very keen on doctrine. So it will not that anointing will not let you stray from the truth of God's word. So Acts 15 we discussed that. Remember that when there was this teaching about circumcision as a necessity for salvation among the Gentiles Paul, Barnabas they were so angry when they heard this kind of a teaching and they were angry enough to take it to the apostles in Jerusalem and all the leaders they all sat together and they came out with the conclusion saying that no this is not correct salvation is salvation it's by grace true faith. So Gentiles don't have to be circumcised it's a cultural thing if they want they can be but they don't need to be circumcised it's better for them to be saved. So what happened they preserved the truth of God's word. Thank God they fought for it back then. Otherwise till today anybody who becomes a believer you know the men they would need to be circumcised because there was no conclusion isn't it? Drawn back in the first century. So thank God for apostles because they stood up for the right doctrine and when they stood up for the right doctrine we are following along the same thing. So even today the apostolic is keen when we find a lie of the enemy or a deceptive teaching of the enemy the apostolic will go against it to safeguard the doctrine protect the people from wrong teaching. So that is a feature when you also read about in the first Corinthians chapter 11 when Paul instructs them about the Holy Communion right how should you take the Holy he is very categorical he tells them look do it like this don't do it like that they instruct the apostolic anointing carries that with them very particular so when it comes to let's say an apostolic minister you would find that there is an emphasis on going by the word going by the doctrine to not you know dilute the doctrine in any way when you look at apostles or you notice somebody as an apostle they are passionate about the doctrine anything that goes a little off here and there they are not the kinds who will tolerate it. So I am just giving you all these features so when you notice ministries or when you notice people you can figure out ok this looks this sounds very apostolic ok so they give instructions they say you got to do this you shouldn't be doing this and they make things clearer for the people to follow ok they don't they and we will see later on sometimes even the personality of apostles is they don't mind they are very bold if people judge them for who they are also they don't care but they have to say what is correct ok so that also tends to be the general way apostles come across so they are very very keen about doctrine which is a great thing the church actually needs people like this to protect them then what else what are some of the current features that we can consider they are the apostolic is keen on establishing people in the word of God so when we saw Paul ministering to the people to the Ephesian church you know he says he makes a statement like this while talking to the leaders that I built you up in the whole council of the word of God so that is again something that the apostolic would be interested in why because we already said lasting work how can lasting work happen unless the people are built up strong and how can you have leaders unless the people have the word of God working in their lives so apostolic ministries apostles will put a lot of emphasis on the word of God and teach the word of God and it says here whole council acts 20 verse 32 whole council what is whole council the well rounded word of God it won't be these days we find that people can take one statement or one truth from the bible and don't study it fully but make a doctrine out of it so there are terms such as you know pet doctrine somebody can just hold on to grace, grace teaching grace grace grace grace grace prosperity prosperity prosperity so what happens it's like an excess because it's not been thoroughly looked at from every side in scripture but when we talk about the whole council of God's word there is grace but there is also truth there's a balance because Jesus Christ he that's how he was revealed full of grace full of truth so you can't have one without the other that would be a balanced thing when somebody is teaching grace as well as teaching truth now same way prosperity yes wonderful but what about stewardship isn't it what about you know contentment enduring under trials so there is a good balance when you touch all these subjects so when it comes to the apostolic they are keen in building up the people of God in the whole council of God and not necessarily just some pet doctrines here and there ok then apostles activate and equip believers for spiritual ministry that is understood because every 5-fold ministry office has this responsibility build up the believers you know cause them to stand up on their own let them also serve in the kingdom of God so that is another feature so they're grooming believers they're not just there to build only the church or their ministry but build the people so that is another feature of the apostolic now apostolic ministries or leaders have this outlook that they must be spiritual fathers ok so along the same lines of nurturing people preparing people for spiritual ministry having a lasting foundation what should they do they need pillars in the church see one post if there is only one pole what can you do on that you can hang one flag that's all ok but if you have many poles you can actually maybe make a roof on it you can build something if there are many poles or pillars so the house of God or the church should be a place where we have many pillars strong pillars not just the pastor not just the leader but many leaders should be groomed so the apostolic anointing apostolic ministries are keen on raising strong leaders you will have more than one leader in the ministry and the apostle will look at developing leaders just like apostle paul think about his leadership he called timothy as son he had people like titus different people who he was grooming under him so that they could take on the work of the ministry and that is the mindset apostolic mindset so eventually you would find that an apostle whether they call the leaders as sons or whether the leaders call them as father it's understood in the spiritual sense this apostle is developing spiritual sons and daughters and has become a spiritual father or mother so that is the way in which apostolic ministries actually move forward developing leaders ordaining leaders is commissioning them giving them responsibilities and affirming it to the church so remember act 6 they needed volunteers so they picked the volunteers it was very clear cut for the church here are 7 men this is what they are going to do so you see how they are ordaining them they are going to serve in they are going to serve food so administrative duties it was very well defined but when you take up let's say somebody like timothy spiritual responsibilities we have timothy he will head up the church he will be overseer shepherd bishop of the church so they find leaders they go by what God wants for those leaders they define their responsibility they commission them they back them up so that's how apostles actually work so if you see ministries like this where you have leaders defined roles they are supported to do their work their commission and this keeps happening our first thing is oh looks like a very apostolic ministry and see whenever we see these features in one single church it's a little difficult to conclude that it's apostolic but when you see that the ministry is actually growing very large and over the years this has been the trend then it's a little easier for us to look at that ministry and say oh okay this is apostolic leadership grooming them putting them to take up their responsibilities all these are features of apostolic the apostles establish order similar to how I said they are very keen on guarding the doctrine they will not tolerate any deviation of the doctrine now so that is in the area of doctrine now coming to order in the church what order the way things should be done the way things should be sustained in the church so they will establish order in the church again through the word of God for example if you again go back to first Corinthians chapter 11 where communion Paul is telling the people how to have communion don't if you want to eat at home and come okay but when you come here you come with reverence so anything goes that wouldn't work in the apostolic anointing the apostles will be keen about establishing some order things have to be done in this way so that it's beneficial for the entire network of churches or network of people connected to the apostolic ministry so along with establishing order they will also manage crisis obviously something can go wrong right so when these things go wrong like when you look at the ministry of apostle Paul here and there he addresses right in the Corinthian church there was this man who fell into sexual sin so now Paul has to address that matter so he gives them instructions okay you do this you first you know you let him know that what he has done is wrong then he says now you affirm your love to this man so there are clear cut instructions or operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit we can practice anyhow they are gifts God pours it out on us but no first Corinthian chapter 14 instructions if you have a word of prophecy prophesy one by one it is better that you prophesy than you speak in tongues when you know a person comes into the church who wouldn't understand what you're saying so what is going on instructions maintain order structure unless there is somebody who does this for the church what do you think will happen chaos utter chaos so the apostolic anointing carries with it this desire and ability to establish order within the church among churches right if there's a network of churches even there let's say the churches are growing they are thriving many new people are coming into the church but the apostolic will go into the order also see hey how is all this happening I hope the doctrine is correct I hope you know they are they are honoring from the work of the spirit I hope they are honoring the word I hope they are honoring so they look into the orderliness of worship as well so that is part of the apostolic anointing so are you all with me are you all okay or are you all getting bored good pastor okay nice fine okay good good good so you're getting a grasp of things let's do one thing let's go in for a break 10 minutes we'll come back we'll try to understand few more features of the apostolic ministry okay so hopefully I can finish some of these key things today and I will need to take another class next week I think and but with that we should be able to close off okay so let's go for a break now I'll see you at 10 a.m. thank you