Why Apostle

Some people ask why do people call you Apostle?  It is the recognition of the ministry that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon me.  It's not that we are looking for another title for self promotion for Jesus said the greatest among you is the servant of you all.  The Bible says God (James 4:6 KJV) ... God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

It is because I believe God is restoring the ministry of the apostle to the church.  There is an Apostolic Reformation taking place in the church.  The church is returning to it's Apostolic roots as many are waking up to the fact that God wants his church to flow in the Apostolic and Prophetic offices and He never meant for these gifts to be absent from the church.  The office of the apostle is supposed to continue according to Eph 4:13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  This has not happened yet.  The church is not unified.  There are many different denominations and divisions, therefore the ministry of the apostle is still in effect.

For years I used to wonder what was wrong with me.  Why was I more comfortable preaching in jungles and foreign lands that doing hospital visitations in my own city.  I used to wonder when was I going to grow into this pastoral role.  I had always had a prophetic and miracle ministry but I was never satisfied with ministering in my local church.  I had such a burden to reach the world and minister in foreign lands.  Like the Apostle Paul I found myself saying I am set for the defense of the gospel (Phil 1:17) and wrote books on the subject.  After much study and hearing teaching on the ministry of the apostle I realized the only thing that was wrong with me was that I was operating out of my calling.   I was not called to pastor but to be an apostle. 

apostolos, ap-os'-tol-os; ; a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent

Many have written about what the world would have been like it Jesus had lived longer.  They do not understand that it was never his intention or God's plan for him to stay on earth any longer.  He was anxious to leave here.  (Luke 12:50) He raised up apostles to carry on in his stead.  He called them and they were anointed to do the same works that He did.  (John 14:12 KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

(Ephesians 4:11 KJV)  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 God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I believe the church cannot fulfill it's mission until it once again embraces the ministry of the apostle. 

If God gave the five fold ministry for the perfecting of the saints how can they be perfected with only 2 or 3 of the fivefold ministry working in the church?

(1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

First here is from the greek word proton which means first in order, preeminence or rank.  How many of our churches have Apostles today.  How can they have apostles when they don't believe they are for today?  All the gifts operate by faith.  If you don't have faith for it you can't receive it.  Many are afraid of the title.  Why should we be afraid of something that God ordained for the church?  All of our churches should have signs and wonders operating freely in them but most don't.  Why? We have pastors over the church and he is so busy being a politician, counselor office manager and everything else that they don't have time to seek God properly and to be filled with His Holy Spirit.

(Acts 6:2-4 KJV) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. {3} Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. {4} But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

An apostle must continually seek God to have the anointing and ministry of the apostle operating in his life. His life should be a life of prayer.  Prayer should not be something he does but how he lives.

Some people mistakenly believe that there were only twelve disciples.  However the office of the Apostle was not supposed to cease.  That's why when Judas died the disciples chose another to fill his office in fulfillment of scripture.
(Psalms 109:8 KJV) Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Matthias was selected to fulfill the office of Jesus.  However there were others refereed to as apostles including Paul, Barnabas, Apollos,  Andronicus and Junia, James the brother of Jesus and Epaphroditus.

Some people mistakenly believe that one must have been with Jesus or seen a vision of Jesus to be an apostle.  It was not being with Jesus alone that transformed the disciples but the work of the Holy Spirit in ones heart and life.  (Remember Judas was with Jesus as well but he never let the Holy Spirit penetrate his heart).  Jesus himself said, (John 16:7 KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  He told them

(Acts 1:8 KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

A person should not claim the office of an apostle lightly but the signs of the apostle should be evident in his life

Not everyone who ministers can be called an Apostle.  The scripture says he gave some apostles, some prophets.., An apostle must have signs and wonders evident in their ministry.  He should be able prophesy, teach and to flow down in all the other ministry gifts.

(Acts 2:43 KJV) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

(2 Corinthians 12:12 KJV) Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.