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First let me explain something...and for this you would need to think.
Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.
The first question I want to ask you is this... when was Jeremiah a prophet.
Was it before he was born and formed in his mother's womb
When he was born
Or after a few years when he was a child?
Jdg 13:5 for, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
When was Samson ordained?
Read the story of Samuel
1Sa 1:5 but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb.
Do you not think God planned this...
Please read the following...
Psa 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb; Thou art my God since my mother bare me.
Psa 110:3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Psa 139:13 For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother's womb.
Isa 44:2 Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
Isa 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Isa 44:24 Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth (who is with me?);
Isa 49:5 And now saith Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength);
Eze 20:25 Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances wherein they should not live;
Eze 20:26 and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah.
Now answer this... how All-knowing and all-powerful is God?
Who chose the prophets...?
Who chose the judges...?
Who chose the apostles...?
When....?
If God is the same yesterday, today and tommow ask the same questions for today...
A second thing to think about....
These were the twelve disciples of Jesus...
Mat 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first,
1 Simon, who is called Peter, and
2 Andrew his brother;
3 James the son of Zebedee, and
4 John his brother;
5 Mat 10:3 Philip,
6 and Bartholomew;
7 Thomas, and
8 Matthew the publican;
9 James the son of Alphaeus, and
10 Thaddaeus;
11 Mat 10:4 Simon the Cananaean,
12 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
At which we know (Matthias took the place in office of Judas Iscariot.
Act 1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.
Act 1:26 And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Except for the one church in Jerusalem where is it indicated that these apostles created churches...if that was there primary task, wouldn't there be more evidence of it?
In fact it would please me greatly if any scriptural reference could be given of any one of them creating a church, except for the one in Jerusalem. If it was there primary task as many claim, there should be a lot of evidence, no?
Now let's put the two together... when do you think was the apostles chosen to be apostles and when were they called to training, and when were they called to be tested and when were they called to minister alone. Now that you will find. Also what was their task if they were send out by Jesus? Were they to go and build churches....
When was the first time we notice in the Bible that they were called apostles?
Luk 6:13 And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles:
How many of them at that time had churches?
Something to think about....
Well it is late, but I will post another message later on, when I have slept. But think on this. How willing are you to know? I willing are you to really hear God's voice. And when I say hear God's voice by no implication to I mean you must hear it from me. I am NOT God. You must hear from God, not me. But that which I am allowed to tell you, I will. And please, test my words by the fruit of the Spirit within them by reading through the Spirit and not through your own understanding so God may reveal even more to you than that which I have written. For Ultimately we are here for His Glory, not mine or anybody else's.
Those that are in my time zone, it is now 1 am and I hope you rest well.
Those of you that are not in my time zone, my you have a blessed morning, afternoon or evening.
The best verses I can offer for you on how it is to be an apostle is this...
First let us start with when are you made an apostle...well when was the prophets ordained...
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
Gal 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,
Yes, I think that covers that. You cannot achieve apostleship. You cannot earn it. You are made it. Chosen to be one by God and God alone.
What then were the tasks of the apostle...once they have learned and were send out...
Luk 9:1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.
What is the identification... I'm going to show you, but this part is tricky so I'm going to have to explain it...
1Co 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
2Co 12:11 I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
Apostles can literally become different gifts and personalities temporarily. For that reason, apostles are usually ridiculed and laughed at. For apostles are in a constant state of flux. And no I do not mean split personalities. One personality that bends itself towards the gifts and behaviours of those around them so that they can become adaptive and speak on the level of that person in the most simplest terms. So for a weak person, I would become weak. For a greek, I would automatically "acquire" cultural traids of the greek. For an extrovertic personality, I will adapt and talk with him on the same level, for an introvertic personality, I become introvertic and would approach him in a more meek manner. To a prophet, I would acquire traits of the prophet (as a prophet likes to question a lot asking for proof) my nature would be adaptive to provide proof and become patient to answering questions. To an evangelist that is fluent with words and like to play with words, I would become a man that can fluently talk back and talk effectively with him at his level. To the pastor that has a tendency to care for others and would consider all in how they care for others I will become a comforter to that person. To the teacher who has a supernatural ability to teach and learn, I will have knowledge and give him as much as he requires. To the fool, I become a fool. To the wise, wise. This is one part of the gift you cannot escape. And it does not come at your own choosing. Which is the reason why you sometimes look like a fool. Example I would walk on to a stage. One minute I can speak fluently and correctly, then next I am like a first time speaker. Through practise and experience over the years one learns how to compensate, but still it could be extremely confusing as a child.
Another part that comes in in the gift of an apostle is this...
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
Tit 1:3 but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Each apostle is linked to a message God entrusts to him. Hence the discription by some "to him who is entrusted a word". There is a certain part of the knowledge of the gospel that is inside the apostle from birth, but as you grow older you "remember" as to speak this information. Depending on the key of the apostle. Or so to speak the calling which God placed upon the specific apostle.
Now trust me when I say this...even though to me it is a wonderful gift. Each gift comes with responsibility and you are hold accountable to that. Just so and in no case less is those that claim to be apostles accountable for the function of an apostle. Why? Because if they call themselves apostles people would then value their words on that base, and hence they must take the same consideration into their words and actions as to the effect they have with it and whether or not it is true to the Gospel as well as to the calling of their apostleship.
I hope it helps to make this clearer...
First let us start with when are you made an apostle...well when was the prophets ordained...
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
Gal 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,
Yes, I think that covers that. You cannot achieve apostleship. You cannot earn it. You are made it. Chosen to be one by God and God alone.
What then were the tasks of the apostle...once they have learned and were send out...
Luk 9:1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.
What is the identification... I'm going to show you, but this part is tricky so I'm going to have to explain it...
1Co 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
2Co 12:11 I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
Apostles can literally become different gifts and personalities temporarily. For that reason, apostles are usually ridiculed and laughed at. For apostles are in a constant state of flux. And no I do not mean split personalities. One personality that bends itself towards the gifts and behaviours of those around them so that they can become adaptive and speak on the level of that person in the most simplest terms. So for a weak person, I would become weak. For a greek, I would automatically "acquire" cultural traids of the greek. For an extrovertic personality, I will adapt and talk with him on the same level, for an introvertic personality, I become introvertic and would approach him in a more meek manner. To a prophet, I would acquire traits of the prophet (as a prophet likes to question a lot asking for proof) my nature would be adaptive to provide proof and become patient to answering questions. To an evangelist that is fluent with words and like to play with words, I would become a man that can fluently talk back and talk effectively with him at his level. To the pastor that has a tendency to care for others and would consider all in how they care for others I will become a comforter to that person. To the teacher who has a supernatural ability to teach and learn, I will have knowledge and give him as much as he requires. To the fool, I become a fool. To the wise, wise. This is one part of the gift you cannot escape. And it does not come at your own choosing. Which is the reason why you sometimes look like a fool. Example I would walk on to a stage. One minute I can speak fluently and correctly, then next I am like a first time speaker. Through practise and experience over the years one learns how to compensate, but still it could be extremely confusing as a child.
Another part that comes in in the gift of an apostle is this...
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
Tit 1:3 but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Each apostle is linked to a message God entrusts to him. Hence the discription by some "to him who is entrusted a word". There is a certain part of the knowledge of the gospel that is inside the apostle from birth, but as you grow older you "remember" as to speak this information. Depending on the key of the apostle. Or so to speak the calling which God placed upon the specific apostle.
Now trust me when I say this...even though to me it is a wonderful gift. Each gift comes with responsibility and you are hold accountable to that. Just so and in no case less is those that claim to be apostles accountable for the function of an apostle. Why? Because if they call themselves apostles people would then value their words on that base, and hence they must take the same consideration into their words and actions as to the effect they have with it and whether or not it is true to the Gospel as well as to the calling of their apostleship.
I hope it helps to make this clearer...
The Bible says we should test every Spirit by its fruit.
So when you listen and hear, also use your senses, For God's fruit always accompanies His word without question. Always. Why? Because He said for us to test the fruit. So memorise Gal 5:22 and if you do not experience the fruit of God unto that which you hear (no matter how flattering or beautiful or biblical) leave it be. But if you experience the presence of His fruit, then you will know it is God and in such a case...listen and obey and be joyful.
So when you listen and hear, also use your senses, For God's fruit always accompanies His word without question. Always. Why? Because He said for us to test the fruit. So memorise Gal 5:22 and if you do not experience the fruit of God unto that which you hear (no matter how flattering or beautiful or biblical) leave it be. But if you experience the presence of His fruit, then you will know it is God and in such a case...listen and obey and be joyful.