Moving in the Apostolic

The Apostolic Seal

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apostleship did not cease. The ministry of apostleship is not just a man; it is an office. The disciples came together to fill the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot. They were acting on the prophetic word of David in the Psalms that another should take his office. Notice that the prophetic word as quoted in Acts 1:20 identifies this ministry as an office. The import of the prophetic word was that another should fill the vacant office. It is the will of God that someone stand in and execute the office of apostleship from generation to generation. Men die, but offices remain. This is true in the secular world as well as in the Church, as in the example of the office of President of the United States. If the president dies, the office does not die with him; someone else takes his place. The same is true concerning the office of apostleship. Although the early apostles died, the office of apostleship remains until this day. An office is a position of authority, duty or trust given to a person. The person in the office must faithfully administer the duties of the office. The apostle is an officer of the Church. As an officer, the apostle has duties and functions to execute. It has always been the will of God for this office to be executed from generation to generation. It was never His will for it to be vacant. This is true concerning all the offices of the fivefold ministry (see Eph. 4:11). Most churches would not think of going too long without a pastor. They will usually try to fill that office as quickly as possible. A vacancy in the pastorate can mean trouble for a church. Someone needs to execute the duties of the pastorate. We have thought differently, however, when it comes to the apostolate. Because many have taught that there was no more need for apostles after the death of the Twelve, this office has been vacant during much of the past 2,000 years. There are certain things that will not happen when there is a vacancy, because there is no one to stand in the office and execute its duties and functions. We are now seeing a generation of apostles being released by the Lord to stand in this office and to execute its duties and functions. Certain individuals once again are accepting this