A Closer Look at the Office of Apostle

The Greek word translated apostle is apostolos and literally means "one who is sent." A true New Testament apostle is a believer divinely sent to a certain place or places to establish churches. He lays the spiritual foundation of God's "building" and is somewhat comparable to a "general contractor," as Paul, an apostle himself, wrote:

For we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it (1 Cor. 3:9-10a, emphasis added).

A "master builder," or general contractor, oversees the entire building process—he envisions the finished product. He's not a specialist like the carpenter or the bricklayer. He may be able to do the work of a carpenter or bricklayer, but probably not as well as they can do it themselves. Likewise, the apostle has the ability to do the work of an evangelist or pastor, but only for a limited time as he establishes churches. (The apostle Paul usually remained in one place from six months to three years).

The apostle is best at establishing churches and then overseeing them to keep them on God's course. An apostle is responsible for installing elders/pastors/overseers to shepherd each congregation he plants (see Acts 14:21-23; Tit. 1:5).

Provide a toilet for Makanka

Problem: Makanka is from Zimbabwe and she has Spina Bifida. Her family has a hole in their backyard they use for a toilet but it is too difficult for Makanka to use by herself.

Solution: An indoor Western-style toilet will allow Makanka to use the toilet by herself without injury.

Still Needed: $245. Any size
gift will help.

•     The Ministry Gifts
•     Were Some Ministry Gifts Only for the Early Church?
•     How do You Know if You are Called?
•     A Closer Look at the Office of Apostle
•     True and False Apostles
•     The High Rank of the Apostle
•     The Office of Prophet
•     The Office of Teacher
•     The Office of Evangelist
•     The Office of Pastor
•     Church Governance
•     Unscriptural Elders
•     The Plurality of Elders?
•     Authority to Serve
•     Paying Elders
•     What do Pastors do?
•     More Responsibilities
•     So What are Pastors Supposed to do?
•     The Office of Deacon