Reformation to true New Testament leadership, for ongoing revival

Pt 3 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.

Scenario of apostolic function

I will now put forth a picture of an apostle to give us a general idea before we ground it in the word.

Apostles are called and commissioned by God but sent from the local community of believers, usually into un-chartered waters. Sometimes this is geographically, other times it is culturally, racially or even religiously. They are often the first on the scene, either laying the foundation of Christ beneath a pre-Christian community, or re-laying it under a straying Christian one. They are both teachers of the Christ foundation and examples of it themselves.

Apostles will spend a foundational season with the people, biblically speaking, from one to three years, and then will ordain (set in place) a team of mature saints from among them to oversee the community. Apostles will continue to work alongside the saints and elders from a distance, either geographically or just practically. Their ongoing role has a fatherly nature, allowing the saints to grow up themselves. They also function as master builders, overseeing the work alongside the elders, assuring it is built according to the blueprint from the Word.

Apostolic spheres

It is important we understand that there are apostles commissioned to different spheres and not just locations. Apostles are needed to be sent into various settings to lay the foundation of Christ amongst allotments of people. I have listed below three diverse spheres where apostles are sent;

Geographical apostles

so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: (Rom 15:20)

This type of apostle is sent to a geographical location to birth a community of believers, usually where Christ has not been preached. These locations can be cities, suburbs, towns or even a street block.

Racial and cultural apostles

I am the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom 11:13)

that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Eph 3:8)

when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Gal 2:7-9)  

While James, Peter and John were primarily called to the Jews, Paul was sent with the gospel to the non-Jewish Gentile nations. In our time too, God will perhaps call forth apostles to go to specific races and cultures of people. In many nations there are communities that are largely made up of a certain race of people. God will grace certain apostles with favour to relate to these racial communities and therefore lay the Christ foundation beneath them. There are also many sub-cultures like the arts, sports, business and music, as well as social classes, which will be penetrated by apostles graced with an “open door of utterance”.

Reformation apostles

Jesus Himself, as well as John the Baptist, were great examples of reformation apostles, not to mention Luther, Huss, Zwingli, etc. Both John and Jesus came when the church of their time (Israel) was being built on false foundations due to corrupt leaders. It was a time of much needed reform, so God sent John to preach to the people “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2) and to the leaders “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt 3:7-8) Reformation apostles are sent to the people of God to re-lay the foundation, assuring that it is Christ and His ways. For these apostles the message of repentance is as necessary, sometimes more so, as it would be if they were preaching to unbelievers. If a people have strayed from the true foundation and begun building on another, albeit unwittingly, most of their existing work must be leveled in order to build aright. Following on from John, “Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)

God used Martin Luther and many others in an apostolic capacity to begin the re-laying of the biblical Christ foundation that replaced the Dark Age one. False foundations such as justification by penance and the purchase of indulgences were pulled down as these sixteenth century apostles relayed the truth of justification by faith, and the like.

There is a great need in this hour for reformation apostles and prophets “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down” the residue of the false foundation so they can also be released “to build, and to plant.” (Jer 1:10) We may believe in grace and the personal priesthood of every believer, but we have false structure and leadership that promote the exact opposite.

Other examples of reformation style apostles are Peter, James and the team at Jerusalem, who were sent for the most part, to reestablish the Jews on a New Testament foundation. They preached Christ to God-fearers who were not up to speed with the manifested Messiah. We see in Acts two, Peter and team being sent out the door of the upper room to lay a Christ foundation in the lives of many God-fearers, assembled at Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost.

Apostles’ authority

The question of authority has risen time again amongst believers who have left behind the false foundation of a worldly, Roman-based, church structure. We can see clearly that the New Testament provides no ground whatsoever for a hierarchy of leadership. However, it is evident that many have allowed the pendulum to swing too far in the other direction concerning leadership and authority.

The following passage shows that Paul had authority amongst those he was called to serve. You may see some key points that come out in this passage concerning that authority:

Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but 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 of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (1 Cor 4:13-21)  

The first point is humility and servanthood. As we see in verse six the apostles didn’t parade around in the limelight as cool cat, keynote speakers but rather were “defamed” and “made as the filth of the world, […] the offscouring of all things”, being buried below the surface of gospel community.

Secondly, the authority they had with the Corinthians was because they had “begotten” them “through the gospel”. They loved them as sons and operated in a fatherly manner.

Thirdly, their authority was not “puffed up” in man’s measure, but rested in the “power” that abided in them. True authority is based on relationship and Holy Spirit calling. True apostolic authority is the result of a father-son relationship and Spiritual endowment from God, not a position or title. It is up to the saints to submit themselves to the authoritative input of apostles, the authority of which is limited to their sphere of calling.

As foundation-layers, the apostles have authority to ensure that the foundation of the gospel community (church) in an area is Christ and stays that way. They do not dictate the direction of people’s lives and ministries, especially not to serve and build their own. They are empowered by God to bring out the blueprints (the word) and beseech the brethren to build accordingly. This is the main area of authority in apostolic ministry as well as a fatherly relationship and some maser building direction.

Paul went on in chapter nine of the same epistle saying:

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. (1 Cor 9:1-2)

It is evident that apostles will have different spheres of authority, based on calling and relationship. Paul said that he may not be an apostle to others “yet doubtless I am to you” (to the Corinthians). This shows that apostleship is not a position but rather a specific function of grace towards and among a certain people group. An apostle is only an apostle to whom he has been sent to serve and only for the season he is called to serve them.

Re-location or redefined roles

There is a biblical key concerning apostolic authority that helps guard against control and power-tripping (which we are all susceptible to), that is geographical re-location of apostles from their posts or a change of function. Apostles have a somewhat removed authority rather than a perpetual presidency over the brethren. As we know, apostles are primarily sent ones, commissioned to go in first and lay the foundation. As these next verses show, Paul would spend usually between one and three years working on the foundation of a gospel community before taking off somewhere else:

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 11:26)    

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.   /   11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:8-11)   

Ephesus
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31)  

Tyrannus’ school
Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,    /    9   when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:1-10)  

Of course there was an ongoing relationship between the apostles and their sons, and despite the distance they still had a fatherly authority with them in certain aspects.

If apostles are to stay for a prolonged time in a gospel community, they are no longer really operating as sent ones or foundation layers. They may still be gifted primarily as apostles but they must then begin to function locally with that particular group of saints in a team of elders. If apostles do not operate on a long-term basis in a plural team of elders they will surely sit at the top of the pile where only Jesus belongs.

Plural apostleship

There is another biblical key to ensure that apostles do not become some top of the pyramid Pope, either by choice or unwittingly. The key is plural teams of apostles rather than a wandering one man-band. Due to our modern mindset being immersed in man’s tradition and hierarchical hindrances, I have not seen anyone draw attention to the fact that the apostles went two by two. This is, among other things, a great safe guard against corruption amongst leaders. Let’s not forget that it was Paul and Silas, Barnabas and Saul, Paul and Apollos, Paul - Silvanus and Timothy, Paul and his company (Acts 13:13) and the like, that we read about. Paul may have played a more prominent role in certain aspects of the work, but that is in no way an indication that he was the boss or head man. Paul, speaking about Apollos and himself said “we are labourers together with God” indicating that they were equal ministers in this work. (1 Cor 3:9) There were many other apostolic teams that were sent together in the early church.

Let’s take a look at how the Word of God Himself sent out apostles:

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. (Luke 10:1)

Jesus set the precedent of apostolic ministry, sending them in duos in order to hinder human pride and control from rearing its ugly head. He was well aware of the susceptibility to corruption in human nature due to dealings with ones like Zebedee’s wife and the like, not to mention the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees. It was not a coincidence that He sent them as a team rather than alone.

Apostles as fathers

We have seen that the foremost function of apostles is foundation-laying but what about their ongoing role as apostles amongst a community of believers?

So we don’t go off and establish a co-dependency based “you must find your spiritual dad and submit to him”, unsound doctrine, we will look at the apostles’ function of fatherhood with the truth of this next verse at heart:

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matt 23:8-10)  

Again, fathering is not a position in the body of Christ but rather a function of relationship. Paul does refer to his fatherly function with the churches he served:

as my beloved (agapetos) sons (teknon) I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors (paidagogos-a boy-leader, i.e. a servant whose office it was to take the children to school) in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten (gennao-to procreate, to regenerate:–bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive) you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers (mimetes-an imitator) of me. (1 Cor 4:14-16)  

What qualified Paul to draw attention to his fatherly role was the fact that he had “begotten” or birthed them in the faith. An ongoing fatherly relationship is healthy between apostles and the Christ communities that they birth, as long as it is true fathering and not chiefly controlling.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (Acts 15:36)

The role of a father is to oversee the natural growth of their children with loving encouragement and some chastisement. A good father doesn’t make decisions for sons or daughters who are mature enough to make the decision themselves. They are not there to live their children’s lives or to shape them but rather to work with God as He moulds them into His image and their divine destiny. In the same capacity that natural fathers should stop spoon feeding their children at a fairly young age, spiritual fathers ought to teach their children how to eat and fend for themselves, providing ongoing support and guidance. I must stress again the point that Christians don’t need an earthly boss, as the Holy Spirit is well able to lead them.

It is the man-owned organizations that need the control of CEOs and bosses to make sure that productivity is up. Organic Christian community, like that in the New Testament, needs only relationship by the Spirit with mature oversight.

Master builders

As well as being foundation-layers and fathers, apostles can also operate as master builders. Paul said to the Corinthians:

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. (1 Cor 3:9-10)

A master builder doesn’t own the building or build it himself but rather oversees the workers and tradesmen who all do their specific tasks. Paul, operating as a foundation apostle began the work, and then had the role of overseeing as others built thereon. Notice that verse ten says “let every man take heed how he builds”. It is Jesus who owns and builds His church through all the saints’ doing their part. The apostles’ operating as master builders simply puts them in a role of overseeing the construction, making sure that it is built according to the blueprint (the Word). They don’t receive “the vision of the church”; each individual gets vision from God pertaining to their own role, and the Holy Spirit weaves it all together.

Apostles ordained or called?

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, (Gal 1:1)

While other elders such as local overseers and deacons are ordained by apostles, the apostles themselves are called and chosen “by Jesus Christ, and God the Father”, “not of men, neither by man”. Luke, speaking of Jesus, referred to “the apostles whom he had chosen.” (Acts 1:2)

While it is true that apostles are not chosen by man but by God, it is also true that they are sent out by the local church (community of believers). Paul speaks to the Corinthians about a brother who was sent or dispatched to travel with the apostles, as he was “chosen of the churches”:

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent (sumpempo- to despatch in company) with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, (2 Cor 8:16-19)

The word that is used when Jesus chooses people as found in John 15:16 is eklegomai which means to select or make choice. It is Jesus who selects whom He pleases. The word used in relation to this brother being “chosen of the churches” is cheirotoneo which means to stretch or be a hand reacher or voter, to select. It was not the churches who chose him but Christ; the churches merely recognized the calling on his life and came into agreement with it, therefore sending him.

Apostolic Missions

You may recall me saying before that a person becomes an apostle when they are sent to lay a foundation or when they are continuing to provide fatherly and master building oversight to a community of believers. As we can see from the below passage, Saul (Paul) and Barnabas were operating as “prophets and teachers” at Antioch, being a part of the plural eldership team, until they were chosen by the “Holy Ghost” and then the church “sent them away”. They then would have continued to be graced with teaching or prophetic gifts as well as taking on their new apostolic function:

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. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:1-3)

This next verse provides further information on the subject:

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief (hegeomai – to lead, consider, esteem) men among the brethren: (Acts 15:22)

It was “the apostles and elders, with the whole church” that sent them, but as this verse indicates these men were already “chosen (eklegomai) men”. Reading on in verse twenty five:

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (Acts 15:25)

Being in one accord (homothumadon – unanimously) they sent men that had been chosen (eklegomai) by God. Paul and Barnabas were already there at Antioch so “Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” (Acts 15:32) And so true is the saying “first apostles, secondarily prophets.” (1 Cor 12:28)

Apostolic Sons

Another aspect of apostolic ministry is what I would call apostolic sons or apprentice apostles. These are ministers, proven as mature saints, sent out with and from the apostles to be trained on the job while out-working and growing into apostolic service. Timothy and Titus, who fall into this category, were doing apostolic service while being overseen and trained by Paul who helped birth them into their ministry, hence the son ship:

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: (2 Tim 1:2)

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: (Tit 1:4)

We can see from the below verse that Timothy and Erastus (who himself probably fits into this category) were “sent” by Paul, the one whom they ministered to. These apostles in training were obedient to direction from the seasoned apostles who they submitted themselves to. This was not a hierarchical or official working relationship but rather a willing submission to recognised authority, as the apostles would “beseech” (parakaleo – invite, entreat, exhort) them to perform certain tasks. (1 Tim 1:3)

They also ministered (diakoneo – an attendant, to wait upon) to these seasoned apostles:

So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. (Acts 19:22)

Some of the tasks performed by the apprentice apostles are below:

Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. (1 Cor 16:10)

Paul is saying that Timothy basically did the same work that he himself did. Indeed, he sent “Timotheus, who is [his] beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Cor 4:17)  

While growing in relationship and true spiritual authority with the people they were, in a sense, working off the back of the seasoned apostles’ authority. They were to use the mature apostles as examples while growing as an example themselves. I can imagine them saying things to the people like “remember what Paul said about that”.

These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Tim 4:11-13)

These ‘apostolic sons’ were to command and teach via reading, exhortation, and doctrine (instruction) while being a living example to the believers.

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Tim 1:3)  

They were given authority to charge (paraggello – transmit a message, command) the believers to remain on the doctrinal foundation of Christ, disregarding other doctrines.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Tit 1:5)  

They were to set things in order amongst the local community of saints as well as ordaining elders.

Rebuke not an elder (presbuteros), but entreat (parakaleo) him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder (presbuteros) women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. (1 Tim 5:1-2)  

They needed to learn spiritual authority which is based in humility. Rather than rebuking the saints and bossing them, it is better to win them to yourself so there is an open door for teaching and correction as well as the opportunity to gain a father, mother, sister or brother to stand with you.

 

 

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