APOSTLE/ APOSTLES: Is there POTENTIAL for ABUSE of APOSTOLIC

POWER?

"... God hath set forth us the apostles LAST, as it were,

appointed to death ... [1 Cor 4:9]

"We are fools for Christ's sake ..." [1 Cor 4:10]

"... We are make as the filth of the world, and are the

offscouring of all things unto this day." [1 Cor 4:13]

Romans chapter 2 says that we condemn others of a certain sin, because

we do the exact same sin. Hence, we quickly recognize OUR sin in others.

Those who are most apprehensive as to possible future apostolic abuses

of power, are the ones who would likely relish taking excess advantage

of any position of authority to which they might arise.

They prove that they do not understand the NATURE of the office of

apostle, and consequently, disqualify themselves.

The apostle's authority is in the spiritual realm. The apostle is only

a threat to Satan and reprobate humanity. Any "abuse" toward

the flock of God does not emanate from God-given authority.

Such acts would be presumptuousness, not spiritual authority.

Since the apostle's domain is spiritual, NOT physical, he has

no ability to constrain the people by force--they have the freedom

to depart from beneath his oversight at any time. By definition,

submission is according to choice, not force, or it is not

submission at all.

Secondly, the word, "abuse", is a hot, loaded word in the

vocabulary of today's untoward generation. What is abuse?

It depends on who is doing the talking. People have a wide

range of definitions of "abuse". To some, such as homosexuals,

"abuse" from their perspective constitutes the suggested restraint

of their unbridled passions.

As revival accelerates, most Christians will be new and immature.

The apostle will do all possible to discourage the sins of their

youthfulness. The apostle will be persecuted for this, and called

legalistic, abuser, oppressor, dictator, etc. just as Moses' authority

was also resisted, though he was the world's meekest man in that

era, which leads into a third premise ...

... The apostle's authority springs forth from a subservient

posture of lowliness, not self-exaltation. Jesus, our model of

humility, though He was rich, for our sakes, became poor,

obediently humbling Himself even to the point of death on the

cross. The majority of the twelve apostles were persecuted unto

death, following in their Master's footsteps. Jesus' death and

subsequent resurrection openly displayed His authority over

Satan and the hosts of darkness. Jesus' authority previous to the

crucifixion was based on the timeless fact that His victory was

prophetically determined by God from the foundation of the world

in accordance to the oath of the Father.

IS THERE A THREAT OF A NEW APOSTOLIC "PAPAL"

SYSTEM?

The historic emergence of popes came from a structure that was

ALREADY corrupt. The unscriptural practice arose from the sin of

the Nicolaitans, i.e., the ungodly separation of the Church into a

caste system of clergy versus laity. The goal of the present apostolic

restoration is the opposite:

Its purpose is to allow the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ to manifest

the Father God's heart in the lives of spiritual sons, turning the sons'

hearts back to the Father, and turning the earthly fathers' hearts

towards their children once again. The Church is a family.

The fathers have stewardship or spiritual authority over the sons

until they become of age.

Parameters do exist--The one who is without chastisement is not a son.

It is the apostle's desire as a mentor to see the sons reproduce his

example and even eventually surpass the achievements of the apostle.

Such an environment is not abusive, but CONDUCIVE toward

the common welfare.

~ "Submitting to the Spirit: Why We Need Tongues" ~

~ "Apostolic Authority: the 10 Types and the Extent" ~

"The Humble Apostle: We Need Him & He Needs Us"

"Kingdom Dominion Kingdom Now: what it is & isn't"

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