Moving in the Apostolic

106 Moving in the Apostolic

B OLDNESS IS NECESSARY TO OVERCOME THE THREATS AND INTIMIDATION OF DEMONS — AND THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS THAT OFTEN ATTACK A MOVE OF GOD .

Patience also means perseverance. The ability to persevere and overcome the pressures of the enemy is a characteristic of an apostolic church. Paul, in defending his apostleship, mentioned those things he endured (see 2 Cor. 11:24-29). The enemy is not able to overcome an apostolic church because of the force of patience. No matter how much he attacks that church, he cannot defeat it when the saints receive and walk in the apostolic dimension. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled (Acts 4:13). Apostolic (sent) people are a people of boldness. The words "bold," "boldly" and "boldness" are mentioned throughout the book of Acts (see, for example, Acts 4:13; 9:27; 14:3; 18:26; and 19:8). Boldness is necessary to overcome the threats and intimidation of demons, as well as the religious systems that often attack a move of God. The word "boldness" is translated from the Greek word parrhesia, meaning all outspokenness, frankness, bluntness, assurance and confidence. There is a spirit in the world that attempts to prevent the Church from being bold and aggressive in witnessing. Satan attacks believers with fear, and tries to keep them from being aggressive and going forth in fulfilling the Great Commission. The apostolic dimension gives the saints the boldness they need to overcome this spirit. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Apostolic (sent) people are a people of obedience. The sent one's desire is to obey the Sender. Grace and apostleship are given for obedience to the faith among all nations (see Rom.