Summer
2006
Restoration
of the Apostolic
Wade E Taylor
Toward the end of this present age, there will be an empowering
of the Lord’s people, beyond anything that has been
experienced in the past. This is a part of the progressive
restoration of the power experienced by the early Church,
but totally lost in the dark ages.
Toward the end of the time of religious darkness, Martin
Luther rose up against the selling of indulgences and proclaimed
that salvation could not be earned, but is to be accepted
as a free gift. As a result, a true “pastoral”
ministry was restored to the Body of Christ.
The understanding gradually began to form that because we
are saved by grace and become a “new creation,”
there should be visible evidence of this. John Wesley began
to teach the process of sanctification, and the Methodist
movement (method) was born. A “teaching” ministry
was restored to the Body of Christ.
Many began to be stirred, being convinced that this salvation
which had changed their lives should be shared with others.
Whitfield, and others began to proclaim the Gospel, and the
“evangelist” was restored to the Church.
Following this, the need to be empowered for the outworking
of these ministries became apparent, and the Baptism in the
Holy Spirit became a reality. As the Holy Spirit began to
move in the Church, a “prophetic” ministry, along
with the office of the “prophet” was restored
to the Body of Christ. This became very evident in the “Latter
Rain Visitation” during the 1950’s.
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets;
and some as evangelists; and some as pastors and teachers;
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to
the building up of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12
NAS
According to this passage of Scripture, five distinct operations
of ministry are to be evident, and in operation within the
Church. In the above progression that began with Martin Luther,
each of these ministries has been restored to the Body of
Christ, with the exception of the Apostolic. The apostolic
ministry, with confirming signs, is yet to be restored.
An Apostolic ministry is both creative and authoritative.
It has to do with the setting of each member of the Body of
Christ into their particular place, that they might properly
function under the authority of the Head. In a functioning
apostolic ministry, there is both consequence and effect.
“And God said, let there be light: and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you
in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”
II Corinthians 12:12
In the present religious environment, the Word of the Lord
can be accepted or rejected with little noticeable consequence.
This is about to change as the Apostolic realm is restored.
The Word will again be ministered with authority. For any
authority to be effective, enforcement is required. This happened
with Ananias and Sapphira.
The time for this restoration of the Apostolic order is close
at hand. It requires a prior time of extensive preparation
and dealings in lives, as authority and power are not given
to novices to be misused. The Lord is very careful as to whom
He gives creative authority.
Therefore, there is an intense inner working of the Holy
Spirit that is taking place at this time. The Lord is severely
testing many to see how they respond, in preparation for the
coming apostolic restoration.
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges
every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
These “sons” are those who have rightly responded
to this time of discipline and as a result, have come to a
level of maturity in which they can be trusted with responsibility.
In His first coming, Jesus chose a title to identify Himself
as to who He was. He did not use the term “Messiah.”
Rather, He identified Himself as “Jesus of Nazareth.”
The religious people of that day were repulsed by this.
Nazareth was a city between the Jewish and the Gentile world.
It was a dwelling place for a Jew who had married a Gentile,
and therefore was rejected by the Jews. It was also a dwelling
place for a Gentile who had married a Jew, and therefore was
rejected by the Gentiles. Thus, neither side would accept
them.
Had He chosen to be known as “Jesus of Bethlehem,”
or as “Apostle Jesus,” He would have been accepted
by all. In choosing to be known as “Jesus of Nazareth,”
only those with discernment would know who He was. There were
those who perceived that He had something special, such as
Nicodemus who called Him “Good Master.” Jesus
did not need a title, there was something about Him that drew
others.
In this restoration of the Apostolic ministry, those who
are being called to this ministry will have been so dealt
with that they will be able to function with a meek spirit,
always acknowledging Jesus as their Head and desiring that
He alone be seen.
As a result, there will be an authoritative ministry with
consequence that will bring the Body into divine order. Today,
Christianity is taken lightly and is the brunt of many jokes.
Soon all that will change, and again the fear of God will
be restored.