From the Bishops Pulpit: A Ministry and a People in Transition: The Church of Antioch, A Church of Apostolic Teamwork Bet HaShem YHWH is an apostolic ministry. No apostolic ministry is run by one person but is run by a team. To the contrary, many present-day Christian churches are led by pastors. These pastors typically have a lone ranger mentality—they prefer to “go it alone” as they walk in an anointing to restore and maintain order. But an apostolic ministry (which the pastoral office is supposed to submit to) is a ministry of new wine, new anointing and new things. Unfortunately, today in the body of Christ the pastoral office wars against the apostolic mandate because the apostolic office has been almost absent and has been viewed as aloof. There is “a timing” in the Ruach, the Spirit. There is an appointment in YHWH. In particular, what is taking place in South Africa is going to sweep the world. There are many people who walk in a pastoral anointing who will be moved and transitioned into an apostolic anointing. This is the aim of Bet HaShem YHWH: to meet, encounter and cultivate that transition in YAH. Ephesians 4:10 “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” There are ministries, pastors and souls who have not received the names of YHWH and Yahshua but who will. The body of Christ is poised for such transition. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And Elohim hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” The present-day body of Christ is familiar with pastors and evangelists and is ruled by pastors—though the bible states that Christ has set first apostles, second prophets and third teachers. There is a comfort level with the pastoral office but a teaching anointing is profoundly absent. Since a teaching anointing is absent the body of Christ finds the prophetic and apostolic offices unsettling. Hence, when truth is spoken/taught such as Christmas being a secular holiday with no biblical foundation or the names of YHWH and Yahshua, the body riles against such facts. Hoshea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:” People are perishing for lack of knowledge because pastors aren’t teaching and pastors aren’t teaching the fullness of the Word because they haven’t been properly taught. Many bible schools are taught from a pastoral or administrator’s perspective. Even so, there are professors within bible schools who display a bold teaching anointing and expound on the name of YHWH or only proclaim the name of YHWH. They clearly understand the emphasis, which scripture places on the name. You have pastors who raise congregations to be respectful of them but not to receive new things, but it’s the apostle’s calling to usher in new things and the duty of the prophetic office to confirm new things. Those two callings are not under the auspices of man but of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the office of an evangelist is viewed as familiar and palatable to Christian masses. Yet good teaching is seen as a threat to the pastoral office. An apostle by nature does things, which appear out of order to the norms of man. The present day church is out of order because the present-day church is run by pastors instead of apostles. There isn’t one instance in the New Testament of a church being started by a pastor. In scripture, churches weren’t started by pastors but by apostles and prophets, actually an apostolic team. Pastors too often exercise control over their flock and seek to neutralize threats to their tithe and offering base, which is seen as their financial security, and hence influences their decision-making—sometimes at the expense of the word. Too often, sheep are kept in a state of ignorance, whereby pastors can exert influence and maintain control and protect their financial base. The apostolic office does not work by one person but is an office, which is continually in transition and has to go forth with a prophet and teacher. In order to plant a church a pastor is likewise needed to oversee what has been planted and an evangelist to water the seed. When you have an apostolic anointing, therefore you have a team and you are in submission of the Holy Spirit. Bottom-line, you cannot have an apostolic anointing and work alone. An apostle does not fear another person’s calling but compels each person to walk in his or her calling and to be as great or greater. An apostle doesn’t seek to control or lord over others but for all members of the team to be in submission of the Holy Spirit. An apostolic team is built around independent, Spirit-led yet collective-minded leaders. An apostolic ministry does not function by gang mentality or bullying others into agreement. Transition: movement or passage/change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept to another Acts 11:1-3 “And the apostles and brethren that were in Yahudah heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of Elohim. 2 And when Peter was come up to Yerushalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” The Jewish believers were fighting with Apostle Peter over fellowshipping with uncircumcised, Gentile believers. The base was angered by the manner in which the Church was growing. But an apostolic ministry leads in ways that challenge traditions and norms. An apostolic ministry walks in a spirit of innovation and invention: it does a new work. An apostolic ministry causes the church to grow in a way that is different from the status quo. Apostle Peter was winning new souls. An apostolic or new anointing always wins people that the base is not familiar with. An apostolic anointing is in flux, in progression, doing what is new in the Spirit. For example, music always changes so if you’re stuck in one mode of music you won’t grow and appreciate new trends/movements. In order to grow you must do new things. Acts 11:1-4; 17 “17Forasmuch then as Elohim gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Adonai Yahshua Christos; what was I, that I could withstand Elohim?” Acts 13:1 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” Niger is transliterated from the Greek and pronounced (neeg’er). See Strong’s Concordance #3526 Note: Before the use of the inflammatory and derogatory racial/ethnic epithet, a word study of somewhat similar sounding words, suggest their use in some African languages to depict/define royalty (i.e., kings/emperors) or divinity. (e.g., N-g-r in Egyptian, Negus in Ethiopian) An apostolic ministry is always dispatching souls and does not remain stationary or one singular place. An apostolic ministry sends out teams. Thus, an apostolic ministry understands the importance of mentorship and effective training. An apostle eagerly mentors others because his or her concern is not growing “a personal kingdom” but ushering in increase in the kingdom of Christ. Whereas a pastor is usually more territorial, an apostle doesn’t fear losing his or her base because it is his/her ministry to train up, dispatch and plant and to repeat this process repeatedly. Apostles are always on the move and cannot operate alone. An apostolic ministry forces you to think as a team. Even now, this ministry is prophetically promised its greatest increase in Kenya, which is coming through South Africa. Acts 13:1-5 “ 2 As they ministered to YHWH, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of Elohim in the synagogues of the Yahudians: and they had also Yahn to their minister.” Acts 4:35-7 “And laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Yoses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.” Acts 11:20-22 “20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching Adonai Yahshua. 21 And the hand of YHWH was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto YHWH. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church, which was in Yerushalem: and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch.” As Yerushalem heard of the growth/increase in Antioch, an apostolic team was sent. At Antioch believers were first called Christians, which is evidence that the church was in transition. The Church in Yerushalem was indeed an apostolic ministry as evidenced by these scriptures. Again, an apostolic ministry defines that which is new. “23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of Elohim, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto YHWH. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto YHWH. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:23-26) Your life with Christ and ministry in Christ are always in movement. You must move as a team in order to receive your greatest growth. When you are tied up into individualism to the point that you believe you made yourself you begin to ostracize souls. Ministry works and operates at the highest level with souls in complement as a team. When you’re insecure you take ownership of things that don’t belong to you. For example, this happens in marriage as well. (Ex: men who “take ownership” of their wives). Likewise, we see pastors who do the same with their churches. But no one can enslave the body of Christ. It doesn’t belong to man. The more control you lose, the more faith you need. An apostolic anointing operates in a spirit of revelation. An apostolic anointing cannot go forward without teamwork. Apostles raise up apostles. Pastors raise up pastors. The body of Christ wasn’t called to operate under a spirit of control. That is an obstruction of the movement of the Holy Spirit. As we read Acts 4, 11 and 13 we see how the apostolic ministry is always in transition and cycles from a state of planting and harvest to a state of dispatch and commission. Pearl: When you lose influence you have to submit more in order to regain influence. People don’t start out knowing how you benefit them. People are more likely to receive you in a spirit of submission (i.e., presenting yourself as a servant) than a spirit of control. When you want people to respect you before knowing you, you’re in error. Respect comes by evaluation of a person’s fruit. We must not communicate a spirit of spiritual arrogance. You cannot build effectively under a spirit of arrogance; it will poison/corrupt/detract from the foundation being laid and handicap any potential increase. #Bishop
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:52:31 +0000
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