Moving in the Apostolic

The Apostolic Seal

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degree. The Holy Spirit is an apostolic Spirit, and He dwells in all believers. Likewise, every church should have an apostolic dimension. But there are those pastors who mistakenly identify themselves as apostles because, to some degree, they have an apostolic dimension operating in their ministries. It is unwise and dangerous to try to walk in an office in which we are not graced to operate. There are some definite characteristics of true apostles. Roger Sapp, in his book The Last Apostles on Earth, lists five characteristics of true apostles: 1. Signs, Wonders, and Miracles (2 Cor. 12:12). The preaching of the apostle must be accompanied by deliverance from evil spirits, healing the sick and miracles. Clearly this mark is not enough to establish the apostleship of a particular servant of God, but it is the first characteristic that every apostolic ministry will have. 2. Revelation of the Calling to Independent Witnesses (Acts 13:1,2). When an apostle is prepared to function in this calling, God will reveal this to independent witnesses. This is the second qualification, and it follows a well-established principle of the Scriptures. Every divine fact that the Lord wishes to establish to the Church is validated on the basis of two or three independent witnesses. God will particularly give prophets to the apostle as witnesses. 3. Ministers Are Given to Apostles (Acts 20:4,5). God gives apostles other ministers to work with them in team ministry under their authority. 4. Fully Functioning Churches (1 Cor. 9:2). There are many persons who pioneer a church apparently successfully and with God's grace. This does not necessarily make them apostles. However, repeated success in church planting, coupled with the other characteristics above, certainly gives evidence of an apostolic call. 5. Serious Resistance from Evil Prince Angels (2 Cor. 12:7). Apostolic ministry can be identified by the