Moving in the Apostolic

The Apostolic Church 101

The result of the apostolic dimension was incredible church growth. The Lord added daily to the Church. Addition, multiplication and multitudes are common terms used in the book of Acts to refer to the growth of the apostolic church (see Acts 5:14; 6:7; 11:21). The apostolic dimension causes and fuels church growth. Multitudes are attracted to churches that receive and walk in the apostolic anointing. I refer to this as the "apostolic draw." Great Power and Grace And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33, italics added). The apostolic church will be a church of great power. Power is a distinguishing mark of true apostolic ministry. The Lord never sends people without giving them power. Power is necessary to accomplish the task for which one is sent. When the Lord sent the Twelve, He gave them power (dunamis) and authority (exousia). The Greek word dunamis means miraculous power, a worker of miracles, power or strength. Acts 4:33 mentions "great power." As we have seen, the word "great" is megas, meaning big. Apostolic ministry is characterized by mega-power, as well as mega-grace. This is a dimension of power that is beyond the norm. The result will be an unusually large number of healings and miracles. The powers of darkness will be blasted by great power from on high. I call this the "apostolic blast." Apostolic (sent) people will witness with great power. The Church cannot properly witness to the world that "Jesus is alive!" without the apostolic dimension. The apostolic church is also a church of "great grace." The Greek word charis means divine influence upon the heart. Grace moves people because it moves their hearts. The result of great grace in the context of Acts 4:33,34 was giving. The saints sold their possessions and laid the money at the apostles' feet. This was done without compulsion and was simply the result of great grace.