Reformation to true New Testament leadership, for ongoing revival

Pt 2 of 5

by Brett Jacobsen

This five part teaching series on reformed New Testament leadership is taken from Brett Jacobsen’s book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

Apostolic naming

If it is not an official position, then why would the apostles call themselves apostles?

I’m glad you asked.

For starters, you may have noticed that when I write the word apostle, except when referring to false hierarchy heads, I do not use a capital A. This is because that would make it the title of a person rather than their simple job description. To call someone Apostle Paul is to don them with a false official title, whereas to say Paul the apostle is biblically correct.

Some “Apostles” today seem to over-qualify their “Apostolic office” using Paul and the like as an excuse. Because the early apostles called themselves apostles and sometimes had to qualify their calling, some ramble on, attempting to convince the crowd.

As the next three verses show, Paul, Peter and others held their identity as servants (doulos – bond slaves) of Christ and then presented their function as apostles. In essence, they were saying: I am a servant and I’m called to work as an apostle:

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Rom 1:1)  

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Tit 1:1)

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, (2 Pet 1:1)

The main reason for them even naming themselves as apostles in their letters was for literary verification. Howard F. Vos writes in his book ‘Exploring church history’ that because there were “many false works circulating at the time of the early church, it was essential for true writings to be clearly defined as apostolic” (3). He further speaks on the formation of the New Testament cannon and the books that were disputed for a season saying “Hebrews was disputed because its authorship was uncertain; James and Jude because they represented themselves as servants rather than apostles of Christ; 2nd and 3rd John because the author called himself an elder rather than an apostle.” (4)

It is clear that they were not claiming official title but rather assuring clarity with authorship.

Foundational leadership

We will now take a look at the ministry graces of apostles and prophets, the foundation-layers of the church. In the next verse from first Corinthians Paul speaks of his apostolic function as one who has “laid the foundation” at Corinth. He goes on to say that the foundation is, and can only be, Christ:

ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 3:9b-11)

The body of Christ in every city, suburb or area needs Christ alone as the foundation for the community of believers (church) and for every Christian’s personal walk. The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). The apostles laid the foundation of Christ by teaching and applying doctrine that put Christ at the helm of His church.

Although it is a key factor that Christ is the foundation of the church (called out saints) there is a little more to it. Ephesians two doesn’t contradict or complicate things but rather clarifies them a great deal:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Eph 2:19-20)

This verse has now put both apostles and prophets as the foundation of the church, “Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone” or the principle part. Rather than being a contradiction of first Corinthians it is a further explanation of its practical outworking. Allow me to give an example.

In any area where there are believers there needs to be a foundation of Christ for them to be built upon. Although Christ has left us a beautiful example of Himself through His written word, as well as His Spirit (allos parakletos), there needs to be a living tangible example of the risen Christ. There must be an incarnate Christ, living through the example of leaders who model a lack of self and a manifestation of Jesus. True apostles and prophets lay their own lives down in order for Christ to live through them; this is just an example for the other believers to do likewise and build from.

Because of the foundational nature of apostles and prophets they are the first on the scene, laying themselves down as the example of Christ, under girding the new community of believers, not ruling over them:

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. (1 Cor 12:28)

The above verse has been misused, like many others, to promote a hierarchy in New Testament Christianity. The word translated to “first” is the word proton which is speaking into the chronological order rather than a rank of ruler-ship. In context the word “secondly” (deuteros) is likewise indicating chronology and subsequently “thirdly” (tritos). It is absurd and unsound to use this verse to promote hierarchical ruling because that would put apostles as boss, then prophets then teachers then miracle workers then healing gifts followed by helpers then governments, and if none of those are around, then get permission off the diversities of tongues leader. How ridiculous!

Apostles and prophets are surely needed in the birthing stage of a work of God’s Spirit to assure that what is built is the Lord’s and stays the Lord’s. Without true foundational leaders the building will have a weak and warped or non existent foundation. Coupled with an example of dying to self comes revelation and authority from the word that can and should be a benchmark for the saints to go off. People may say “I only have Christ as my foundation, not man” which is to call Christ a liar considering that Christ puts Himself as “chief cornerstone” beside apostles and prophets.

Although many saints, by the Spirit, are coming out from under the false yoke of the Romanised modern church, they cannot afford to drift too long on their own without a fuller New Testament foundation under them.

Prophets

Besides the rather common phenomenon of prophets donning the garb of Senior Minister and running their own church, it is not normative for people to place them as head of the hierarchy. Because of this we will speak only briefly about the leadership function of prophets, with a little on their equipping function latter.

In keeping with our prophetic analogy of Israel and the church we are provided with a good picture of the leadership function of prophets in Caleb. As we have just seen, prophets are especially needed in the foundational stage of God’s work in an area. (Eph 2:20, 1 Cor 12:28) They, through the word and by the Spirit, both directly and via the input of the saints, should give a clear picture of what God has ahead for the community of believers. Like Caleb, they should also implore the saints to cleave to and perform God’s prophetic direction and to seek Him for a heart full of vision.

Prophets can also be part of a local eldership, continuing to reside in a certain location for a season as the Spirit leads. As the next verse implies, Antioch had such resident prophets, at least for a season:

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. (Acts 13:1)

As we can see from the following verse prophets are sometimes sent out, and sometimes they are abiding elders:

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed (episterizo - to support further, i.e. reestablish) them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. (Acts 15:32-34)

Prophets are usually able to teach from a prophetic perspective, bringing forth new revelation:

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Eph 3:4-5)

Prophets can foretell world events. As is the case with Agabus, these prophetic eye openers should provide heavenly information for the saints to adjust themselves accordingly. In this case the church was able to prepare to send relief to those who would need it:

And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: (Acts 11:27-29)

Apostles

apostolos, ap-os'-tol-os; from G649; a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers):–apostle, messenger, he that is sent. (1)

We must spend a little more time delving into the biblical picture of apostles as there are so many warped versions floating around. First, we will look at a few things that apostles are not and cannot be, so as to dispel any preconceived ideas birthed by the traditions of man.

What apostles are not

Let me start by saying, it is not an “apostolic reformation” that we need in the church, but rather a Christ centered church re-structuring reformation that will shake and include the whole body. Sure, God will use what I call ‘reformation apostles’ to receive and dispense information and revelation in order to bring about that change, but they are just another minor body part, not the head or the main focus.

The latest trend in the horrible humanistic hierarchy is apostolic covering - “Which apostle from another city or even nation are you accountable to”? Of course this has no foundation in scripture. If Jesus wanted a head man to preside over a church He would have chosen the Pharisees for leadership, as they were proven in exalting themselves; instead He chose lowly fishermen, and the like, who were less likely to rule the roost.

Apostles are not the heads of denominations, movements or churches but rather the foundation and midwives of the regionally named church (community of believers). Because Christ is the true foundation of the church and apostles are only there as a ‘dead-to-self alive-to-Christ’ example, it is not their church they serve or their name they uphold. In fact, to have a named organization as church is to antagonize the Spirit of Christ. As foundations are underground, supporting the edifice above, true foundation ministry puts itself below the surface, which is contrary to lingering in the limelight. Many who call themselves apostles in this day and age are more like the naturally beautiful false apostles that bombarded Corinth with their eloquence and “enticing words of man's wisdom”.

Apostles are underground leaders, set forth as the first example or demonstration of Christ:

For I think that God hath set forth (apodeiknumi - exhibit, demonstrate) us the apostles last (lowest), as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. (1 Cor 4:9)  

Remember what Jesus said about being the greatest:

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matt 20:26-28)

Let us recall where the headship positions in the church came from: pagan Rome. Ignatius’s congregational bishops were like our Senior Pastors and his area bishops were much like what most now falsely call apostles. Placing any of these in authority over God’s people is a horrible man-made obstacle to God ruling His church. This is not true apostolic service.

Following apostles or mimicking Christ

If we live out of the old wineskin of Old Covenant style church structure, which we know much of the modern church is presently doing, we will simply shift our misinformed following from “Senior Pastors” to “Covering Apostles”.

There has been much talk about whether people at a “church” should be following the leaders’ vision or whether the leader is there to help them fulfill their own vision. Some leaders try the middle ground, claiming a bit of both. This whole argument is really a non event, as the New Testament calls us to follow Christ alone in that capacity:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow (epakoloutheo - accompany, follow after) his steps (track): (1 Pet 2:21)

When Peter tells us we are to follow Christ he uses the word epakoloutheo which means to accompany or follow after. This is the type of following that leaders are requiring of “their flocks” and they preach it as if it were scriptural. This kind of following is reserved for Christ alone, not church leaders.

We are told to follow (dioko - to pursue, press toward, be given to) peace, love, goodness, righteousness, godliness, faith, patience, meekness and holiness as they are attributes of God Himself, but we are not told to follow leaders.

The manner in which the apostles, and other elders, should encourage the saints to follow them is the same way that Paul urged the churches that he worked with. He was not looking for followers of his vision and ministry but rather was focused on being, himself, an example worth imitating. The following verses all translate the words mimetes, mimeomai or summimetes as ‘follow’ which would be more correctly translated as ‘imitate’ or ‘mimic’. Allow me to paint a picture. When Paul, for instance, says to mimic him as he mimics Christ he is not asking anyone to follow him. As Paul is mimicking Christ he is imploring the saints to mimic him. It is not Paul then that they are to mimic but Paul’s mimicking of Christ. In other words, Paul is encouraging them to imitate the aspects and attributes of Christ that flow through him rather than following after his ministry:

Be ye followers (mimetes-an imitator) of me, even (kathos-inasmuch as) as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)

as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten  you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers (mimetes-an imitator) of me. (1 Cor 4:14-16)  

to make ourselves an ensample (tupos-a stamp, a sampler, a model) unto you to follow (mimeomai-imitate, mimic) us. (2 Thess 3:9)

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow (mimeomai) us. (2 Thess 3:9)

Brethren, be followers (summimetes) together of me, (Phil 3:17)

Remember them which have the rule over (hegeomai- lead, consider, esteem) you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow (mimeomai), considering the end of their conversation. (Heb 13:7)

The only place in the New Testament I see people following leaders in a similar fashion to the way they ought to follow Christ is this next verse. Of course, the leaders just happen to be false teachers:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow (exakoloutheo- follow out, obey, yield to) their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Pet 2:1-2)

If we are going to embrace the fullness of Christ and therefore flow with New Testament leadership then we ought to steer clear of leaders, especially “Apostles”, which cause, or at least allow, people to follow them instead of Christ.

 

We will examine Biblical apostles further, next part.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Biblical Leadership, Brett Jacobsen's teachings, Church Structure, House to house community, Living Christianity, Reformation/ Revival. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.