Eph 4 11 And he gave some apostles

Eph. 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers 1. Apostles 2. Prophets 3. Evangelists 4. Pastors 5. Teachers Premise Proper church government has been lost and in “the latter day rain” the government will be restored.

Apostles – Dominionist say: They are for the ordering and direction of the church. They have the highest authority. They have the power of ex-communication, and cursing. To go against them is to go against God. (“Touch not the Lord’s anointed”…) Prophets - They are God’s mouthpiece to say what they have received by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, especially those things pertaining to future events. Dominionists say: They speak ex-cathedra on matters of doctrine and practice. Their utterances are authoritative.

• A new structure of authority is created that will speak with absoluteness which will include “New Revelation”. • The teaching of “sola scriptura” must be jettisoned. The saints must put their trust into the hands of the anointed interpreters. These anointed ones will be the final arbiters in matters of faith, doctrine, and practice.

Where there more than Twelve apostles? Yes Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 [Which] when the apostles , Barnabas and Paul, heard [of], they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Acts 14: 13 -15 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles , who also were in Christ before me. Rom. 16: 6

Rev. 2: 1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand walks among the seven golden lamp stands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. There are people who profess to be apostles but are not, therefore they must be tested by the word of God I Jn. 4: 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

HOW TO TEST FOR A TRUE APOSTLE A true apostle had to be a witness of the resurrection. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection…. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship…Acts 1: 21 -22 ( Paul an apostle out of season. I Cor. 15: 8 ) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4: 33 (See also I Jn. 1: 2, 3)

True apostles must have the signs of an apostle (All patience - Signs - Wonders - Mighty deeds) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles ' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2: 42 (See also Acts 5: 12) …. for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles , though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. II Cor. 12: 11 -12

True apostles must preach the true Jesus and gospel. For if anyone comes preaching another Jesus from the one whose preachers we are, or if you have got a different spirit, or a different sort of good news from those which came to you, how well you put up with these things. 5 For in my opinion, I am in no way less than the most important of the Apostles. 6 But though I am rough in my way of talking, I am not so in knowledge, as we have made clear to all by our acts among you. 7 Or did I do wrong in making myself low so that you might be lifted up, because I gave you the good news of God without reward? 8 I took money from other churches as payment for my work, so that I might be your servant; 9 And when I was present with you, and was in need, I let no man be responsible for me; for the brothers, when they from Macedonia, gave me whatever was needed; and in everything I kept myself from being a trouble to you, and I will go on doing so. 10 As the true word of Christ is in me, I will let no man take from me this my cause of pride in the country of Achaia.

False Apostles Love the Title “Apostle” for Notoriety Why? because I have no love for you? let God be the judge. 12 But what I do, that I will go on doing, so that I may give no chance to those who are looking for one; so that, in the cause of their pride, they may be seen to be the same as we are. 13 For such men are false Apostles , workers of deceit, making themselves seem like Apostles of Christ. And it is no wonder; for even Satan himself is able to take the form of an angel of light. 15 So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works. II Cor. 11: 4 -15

True apostles sought no glory or big bucks for themselves But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, Who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness: I Thess. 2: 4 -5 True apostles were gentle and selfless to the people of God. 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 2: 6 -8

True apostles did not emphasize wealth and offerings 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: I Thess. 2: 9 -10 True apostles ministered as a father ministers to his children. 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. I Thess. 2: 4 -12

True Apostles were despised wanderers evangelizing For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We [are] fools for Christ's sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but ye [are] strong; ye [are] honorable, but we [are] despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the off scouring of all things unto this day. I Cor. 4: 9 -13