The Calling of the Apostles

by Pam Clark

A few weeks ago (7-21-98), I was invited again as a guest for the local "Praise the Lord" television program here in Houston. I asked the Lord what was His purpose for this invitation, as He had told me in advance they would be asking, and He answered, "I want you to make a prophetic declaration for the end time company of apostles to come forth."

So I said, "OK!" I want to share with you here what I shared on that program.

There is a five fold ministry which (as found in Ephesians 4:11-16) is the government Hand of God in the earth today. These office ministry callings come from God and are not elected by man, but are special equippings of the Spirit. These are ministerial office giftings which are full time ministry calls. They are assignments and mandates and are life long callings. Their job description ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD is:

Ephesians 4:
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

That is a long sentence. Let's see if we can break it down:

1. The five fold ministry is called to equip all believers for works of ministry.

2. They are called to the edifying or building up of the Body of Christ at large (all individuals, not just one church or denomination or select group).

3. They promote unity through faith and knowledge in the Son of God, Jesus.

4. This unity causes a perfecting or a maturing -- and causes people to look and act more like Jesus and to walk in His anointing and power.

5. The five fold ministry will also equip people not to be deceived or fooled or tricked or misled by the enemy but will cause them to be wise in this world and ABLE to speak the Truth in love in freedom and liberty and power.

6. As people grow up in Christ, each person does its share with his/her gifting by the Spirit and so we need each other and nourish each other and grow as His workmanship in the Spirit of Love and these ministers will exemplify this.

THIS is what the five fold ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher is called to do! This is their JOB DESCRIPTION according to THE WORD OF GOD.

The five fold ministry is the governmental Hand of God in the earth today administratively and strategically. We are in a war. We are reclaiming territory from Satan that is ours by God's command and mandate. Therefore God has a Body that needs officers not only for administration but also strategically for His advancing Kingdom on earth.

Isaiah 45:
18 For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain'; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right."

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

These ministry officers of God carry positions of authority, but they are positions of leadership, not rulership over kingdoms. It is a stewardship of leadership for the sake of the common Cause.

There is a difference with the office gift and an anointing for ministry. Since all are called to the work of the ministry, all will have anointings for ministry but some have leadership anointings with authorities in God to stand in positions and appoint and train and equip others for ministry. There are not just a few, but many and they work as a team for the whole Body of Christ.

Someone may have a prophetic anointing, or an evangelistic anointing or pastoral anointing and not have the office call of ministry in that area. Some will and are in training, but God has many who have a supporting ministry gift who can assist the minister (such as an associate pastor or staff person), and is a person who can take care of things and represent the pastor or minister in a manner of truth and representation in integrity if the minister is not there or available.

Many are able to prophesy and because of that are called prophets and in a sense they are but if they do not stand as pillars and leaders in the community in the face of oppositions most likely then do not really have the governmental office calling of prophet although they can minister profusely and eloquently in the gifting. True prophets do not need a lot of words to establish their gifting.

Obviously, both the anointings for ministry and the office callings of ministry are vital. Most people will have one strong role but also may be able to operate in other areas, usually with an anointing for ministry. Anointings can come upon anyone who has the Holy Spirit inside and there are times anointings will for the sake of the need. The Spirit of Jesus who carries all the anointings and callings can rise up and meet the need anytime as He sees fit, even though it may not be a particular person's assignment.

Some may be called as office ministers but not seem near as strong in the gift as one with an anointing because the one with the anointing has applied themselves more diligently to ministry and the Word. Just because a person has a calling does not mean they operate in that ministry if they do not do the works of that ministry. I am not a driver even if I have a valid license to drive unless I actually drive the vehicle!

There is a subtle danger here for some with only an anointing to usurp an office calling without the sanction of the Lord. In Joel 2:17 it says: "Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, 'Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?' " There are times when God calls His Body into accounting and alignment. Those who do not hold these office ministry calls will not be accepted before His altar with their sacrifices! Only God's true ministers can fill certain positions in His Presence.

Many people have said it is wrong to say you are an apostle or prophet, but that is very much not true. If that is true for apostles and prophets, then it would also be true for pastors, teachers and evangelists! How absurd! There are times Jesus told people He was the Messiah for the sake of their faith--the reason He did not do it everywhere was because He did not want to create a mob of idol worshippers. He wanted people to worship in Spirit and and in Truth, not for the sake of a position.

I was given the prophetic mandate that day to call forth His apostles in the Name of Jesus and say, "Come forth! Now is the time." We have had the season of the prophet, and it is still their season for ministry. At the time the prophets came forth, the Church was very comfortable with the three fold ministry of pastor, teacher and evangelist in the Church. Just a few years back if someone told someone that God had called them as a prophet, people would gasp and think, "Blasphemy!" and demand instant supernatural works to ease their mind and of course it didn't quite work that way. Many prophets took great persecution.

But the prophets pressed through, as God raised up a company of prophets, and now it is not uncommon to hear that a prophet is going to be on a Christian television program or ministering at a nearby church service. And now God is raising up a company of apostles.

Not only did the prophets rise up in their season, but the enemy also sent a strong wave of false prophets during this same time of their "coming out" to confuse, defame, contaminate and defile the true prophetic ministry. At first many people were so excited to see anything called "a prophet" that they were willing to receive almost anyone, and are just now open to receive true Biblical teaching on discerning in this area.

I see the same thing happening with the apostles. The Church is in a ready position to receive the apostles of God but the enemy is most certainly also sending out a wave of a false apostolic move to confuse and bewilder and get off track any body he can.

God has given His Body His supernatural Spiritual gifts for strategy and administration, equipping and witnessing and for breaking off the bondages of the enemy. But we also must remember that the enemy, Satan, who once walked in an incredible anointing also has "gifts of the spirit" for the same purposes for his "kingdom."

There are many young apostles coming up now and many who are already doing great works on the scene who are not always recognized by the "title" of apostle. What is this young company of apostles facing right now? They are facing fear, intimidation and false apostles. Not only they, but the rest of the Body needs to discern the true from the false signs and wonders.

The Scripture says that signs and wonders follow The Word of God. Apostles will walk strong in the Word and MANY signs and wonders will follow their ministry, but we also must remember that the Scripture teaches that there are false apostles and that lying signs and wonders would be prevalent in the last days. How we need discernment against this cunning craftiness and deceit of the enemy by those who lie in wait to deceive!

Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

What are apostles? What do they do? The word apostle means "sent one." Often we think of this as a missionary calling to another country but it goes beyond that. A better word would be delegate. A delegate represents someone. We send delegates to conferences and conventions to represent us. God sends His delegates to represent Him and His Will and will confirm that with His signs and wonders and miracles.

But we must judge as Jesus taught us to judge and that is in the Spirit by the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Miracles that do not promote the Kingdom of God and bless and increase it may not be true miracles of God. Some people tremble, cry, shake, jerk, laugh and jump but every tremble,cry, shake, jerk, laugh and jump may not be of God. It very well may be, but it may not. Judge the fruit. Some who get jealous condemn manifestations when manifestations can be Biblically proved, but Satan also is a counterfeiter.

Apostles will take territory. They will have assignments and mandates. They will take territory for God's Spirit to be in dominion in those territories. God is calling for a company of apostles to come forth for the end time dominion of His Spirit through the Church.

Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Apostles will work well with the other five fold ministers and set order in the Church. When they do it will work and the evident anointing of God will manifest and witness it, just as it does with the true prophetic word.

Apostles will focus heavily on the resurrection power of Jesus. Many will have had personal visitations of Jesus and Heaven and into the spirit realms. Again, seek the Scripture and wisdom of God to discern the calling! Familiar and demonic spirits can imitate the real Spiritual gifts.

Galatians 1:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Just because someone says they hear from or see angels or even Jesus, if they do not line up with the Scriptures, do not receive nor believe them. If they want to control you, it is bondage and service to man and not to God. If they do not want you to go out and minister and spread the Good News of the liberty Christ to who so ever will, it is NOT GOD! If they bind you to a church or a group and you are not free to go without penalties and condemnations, it is NOT GOD!

2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

This spirit of "the power of His resurrection" that the apostles walk in is a restoration spirit. It is life giving. It is restorative in every dimension of your life. They will be known for raising the dead, incredible healings and manifest miracles. They will rise up to fight in these end times the last enemy, death.

They will be restoring the Kingdom of God back to this earth with signs, wonders and miracles. Instead of just the beginning twelve, whom Jesus poured the foundation of His ministry into, we will see this gift come forth in a company of apostles in these last days!

You must also remember that just as the apostles of the Bible were once disciples, that principle still applies today. One may know they have the appointment of apostle and even declare it, yet we see an imperfect, impetuous and at times presumptuous person! Remember Peter, considered the leader apostle? The Word is gracious to let us see the developing stages of His foundational Church apostles as people like unto us, yet holy in anointing.

In Scripture, Paul gives his own testimony, and places where apostles held other apostles accountable in their works.

I Corinthians 14:
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Prophets are subject to prophets for accountability, just as we see the apostles are, evidenced in Galatians chapter 2.

The apostolic calling is not to be feared or awed in the sense that it leads to idol worshipping. Apostolic people are in daily need of the work of the Cross just as every other minister and Christian is. They are not "super people" beyond the rest of the Body, even though their work is great. We need each other! EVERY joint supplies and nourishes!

Apostles do not rank themselves above others, they consider themselves servants.

2 Corinthians:
11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Many had the fear that when prophets came on the scene, they came to take over the churches. That spirit is not the spirit of a true prophet. It is a team ministry with different giftings. The prophets are not "over" the pastor, teacher, and evangelist, any more than the apostles are "over" the other four fold ministries. EVERY office and ministry gifting is to be respected in its position and for the work they do.

Often God will put people in positions of anointings for ministry to better equip them for team ministry and will especially do this with the apostles. It is not a "higher" position in the sense it can take the place of another needed ministry ordained by God. They cannot.

Because of the gift for team ministry, we will see apostles bringing forth order in the church as they have the gift of establishing that works. Again, many may say they are apostles and prophets, but if you do not see the fruit (or evident manifestation) of the Spirit, be discerning as to what you believe and receive.

True apostles will be of humble spirit. When Paul and Barnabus were in Lystra, they chose this posture.

Acts 14:
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them..."

Here we see these men humbly taking new territory for Christ. Apostles will be known by their work and are to be respected by the anointing they carry and will be endorsed by God.

Many, if not most apostles will have seen Jesus and received direct words from Him of assignment, but they are also called to respect one another's territory. The seal of their ministry is their work as Paul declares.

I Corinthians 9:
9:1 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?
2 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.

Paul refused to take advantage of his position. If anyone takes advantage of the gifts by taking improper advantages, they are operating in a wrong spirit. We see many today taking advantage of people because of their spiritual gifts. This is a great temptation that we all must be sensitive to--not for others only, but ourselves!

We are not to be infatuated with our titles, whatever they are, but involved in the work! And there will be sufferings in the work as we fellowship in Jesus' sufferings for the sake of others coming into the Kingdom of Christ, but there will also be great joy set before us as well.

I Corinthians 4:
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

I bless you in your ministry.

Pam Clark

Trumpet Wind Ministries
www.prophetic.net