Moving in the Apostolic
Apostolic Reformation
77
All attacks do not come from outside the Church, however. We aren't surprised when atheists, humanists and liberals attack the Word of God. This is to be expected. But there are also attacks that come from within the Body. There are churches and believers who attack the truth of healing, deliverance, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, prophetic ministry and apostolic ministry. The Lord is raising up apostles to defend and confirm the truth. This is to deliver the saints from succumbing to the attacks of those who resist the truth, to keep the Church walking in the truth and to continue in the Word. And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar (Judg. 10:1, KJV). Like Tola, who defended Israel, apostles defend truth. Knox's translation calls Tola "the next champion." Tola is a type of apostolic ministry. He defended and delivered Israel from the enemy. To defend means to drive back danger or attack; to maintain or support in the face of argument or hostile criticism; to prove valid; to take action against a challenge. It means to defend, protect, shield and safeguard. The truth must be defended. That means the truth of the gospel must be defended. The gospel is the good news that Jesus saves from sin, sickness, curses, demons and hell. It is the full gospel of deliverance from all the results of Adam's transgression. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory (2 Sam. 23:11,12). Shammah positioned himself in the middle of the field and defended it. We need to position ourselves to defend the truth.
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