Defining the Reformation

I know that there are some real apostles out there waiting to be revealed to the Body of Christ. However, there are also some who have the gift, but not the administration of it. In other words, they are even as Apollo was. He was called to be an apostle; but was lacking in the message he was charged to deliver. Therefore, the Lord used Pricilla and her husband to educate the apostle in the present truth.

The same is true today. Many of God’s apostles are sitting in and have been raised by works that are ignorant of the essence of what salvation is. I have felt their passion and my own compassion for these souls. They are frustrated with church but don’t really know or understand why. They simply know and feel that they should be doing something more. Their lack of knowledge has created a craving for it.

While writing the above paragraph, I had an open vision of something that looked like a huge spider’s web that sketched from one end of the world to the other. As I continued to gaze at the web, I realized it was a network. It was God’s secret network that connects all His chosen ministers to one another as well as to territories of influence. Then He said to me….

You are concerned as to how I am going to introduce my truth to my church and the world. But my network is in place and always has been. The measure of your gift is already determined and set. At the appointed time you and others will be plugged into your places. At that time, the unction of my Spirit shall bring alive my network. As electricity turns on a light bulb, so will my network come to life. All will hear my word and know those who are my true servants. For soon afterwards I will judge my people, for I have said so beforehand.

The Lord has called His Body to a pivotal point in time. These are the last of the latter days and time is approaching its fullness. A study of Bible Prophecy shows us that we are in the beginning of sorrows. There are false teachers everywhere; earthquakes in diverse places, and wars and rumors of wars. We truly are in the last days. Moreover, we are in the last of the last days - the days of the antichrist.

The Lord has told us we have but a small window left to bring the revelation of the mystery of Christ to the globe. That window is getting smaller every day. But where exactly are we? The reformation must be ready for the ministry that is ahead of us. However, to do that we must agree with God in all things.

One of the things the Lord is going to reinstall in the Body of Christ is Apostolic Order. Apostolic Order speaks to the government of the church which God outlines in Ephesians 4. The Apostolic gift serves as a foundation to anchor all the other gifts and set them in perspective.

Ephesians 4:11-15

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

The above passage points out specific responsibilities for the leadership in the Body of Christ.

• For the perfecting of the saints
• For the work of the ministry
• For the edifying of the Body of Christ
• It will not be operational until
• The church comes into the unity of the faith
• The church comes into the unity of knowledge (speaks the same thing)
• The church manifests Christ in the earth
• The church must be able to discern false doctrines and the ways of the devil
• The church must walk in the fulness of its God-given gifts

How Does the Gift of the Apostle Affect You?

One thing is certain, the Lord has installed apostolic order in BTI. Now He is holding us accountable for all that we have received. This order may be yet to come to the Body of Christ as a whole, but the truth is, we have lived in it for the last 33 years. That in itself makes us accountable. The charge of the script is to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry. That is the purpose of this course and summit. In many instances, BTI has the attributes of the church at Sardis.

Revelation 3:1

1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Bible Teachers has a fairly good name in our communities. We are known for love, truth and righteous purpose. That is a good thing. However, the word of the Lord to us is…

Revelation 3:2

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Remember, these letters were written to the pastors of the churches in Asia. When the Lord compares your work to that of the pastor at Sardis, then the same instructions and warnings are included. Therefore, I have been watchful. I have taken inventory of the two thousand men, women and children He has put in my charge. But what is it that I am to watch for? What is it that we are to see in our churches?

It is Christ. We are to see Christ formed in the people we minister to. If that is not the purpose of every leader, then what is your purpose. For if Christ is not your goal, then your ministry is meaningless. You are the blind, leading the blind.

Then we are told to strengthen the things that remain. This reference here is to the saints. They are nearly dead to the faith, but they are retrievable. They need to be strengthened in the faith. The Lord has examined the works (saints, members of the church), and found them not to be perfect. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).

In the day of judgment, everyone’s work will be tried as will the worker himself. He too will be tried by the same standards as those whom he served. If some of his saints are lost due to their own rebellion, then he is safe. However, if he himself contributed to their failures, then he too will perish in the fires of judgment.

There are others, whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and usages in the worship of God, shall be made known, disowned, and rejected, in that day. … Let us consider the tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the Lord. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.

This is a very serious issue. Nevertheless, it is the most ignored. Leaders must consider that they will have to give account as to what they built upon the foundation of Christ in the lives of God’s people. This truth should make others consider why they desired to be ordained for ministry. Were you longing to bring the people of God to perfection? Or could it be that you simply wanted the title, authority or position; or maybe even to make known your knowledge in the gospel? This is the time to consider your motives.

To be very honest, one of the reasons the works of some are not perfected is because the leaders themselves do not believe this is possible. Yes, despite all the knowledge received, counseled and preached by these leaders, they do not wholeheartedly believe in a perfected life. In many cases, it is because they themselves do not live such a life. Their failures have overshadowed and overthrown their faith.

But God is giving us another opportunity to get it right. The blood is still warm in our veins and God is still talking to us. Time and chance have happened to us. Thus, it is time to really ask ourselves, “What am I really doing?” We need to judge what we call ministry and its effect on the people we serve. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Now we have come to a very crucial point in our understanding. Not only are we charged with making every possible effort to get the people of God to heaven, but our own souls as well. To that matter the Lord says…

Revelation 3:3-6

3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

I hope all those who partake of this lesson indeed have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Whether you are a leader or not, you are responsible for how you affect those in your sphere of influence.

1 Corinthians 12:28-29

28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

The apostle’s gift will install the boundaries of the faith and ensure that all which is listed in the verses above come to fruition. He or she must see to it that all ministers are trained in the use of their gifts. Moreover, I want us to take a moment and consider this particular purpose of apostolic order – the work of the ministry.

Note that the scripture says God gave gifts for the work of the ministry. The gift we have received is the Holy Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit who works ministry through us in various ways. He is performing the work of the ministry through us every time we minister. However, apostolic order not only encourages the Lord to work through His ministers but also outlines the “how to”, or rather, the methodology of ministry.

1. The Lord gives revelation to His apostles that explain how ministry should be implemented.

2. They are guided in ministry and learn what are the necessary ingredients for effective ministry.

3. The Lord has clearly outlined what is sin in ministry and what is not.

4. He has also poured out wisdom that points to a more effective ministry.

The methodology of ministry must be grounded in scripture. Therefore, the first thing the true apostles will do is to…

1. Install the boundaries of the faith.

a. The truth about Suffering,

b. Faith is the Holy Ghost

c. God’s eternal Purpose

d. Oneness: ‘Make Them One’

This ensures all leadership in the body knows and speaks the same things. Let us be real here. I have been in the Body of Christ over 60 years and I have never heard the truth regarding each of the above. I am not so naïve as to think that no one in the Body of Christ held such truths, I am simply stating that these truths were not brought to the forefront of ministry as were the Prosperity and Dual Nature messages. Therefore, most of the Body is ignorant of these truths.

The time has come for you to declare your own heart as to where you stand on these issues.

Suffering: We have taught that saints are appointed to suffer (Phil 1:29). We have quoted many times… “if you don’t suffer with Christ, you will not reign with him.” But is this your heart? Are you truly ok with suffering for Christ’s sake; even when it means you will not be able to do the things you so much desire, or have the things you really want?

It is easy to sit in a church service and declare agreement with God. But the real agreement comes in circumstances, situations and relationships. Those are the places of testing and trying of our faith. That is where your true response to the faith is revealed.

2. Identify false doctrines and beliefs. Once the boundaries of the Faith are in place, it is easy to identify false doctrines. Ministers must not be timid about truth. The consequences for those who remain in willing ignorance is too severe.

3. Cast down every mindset that exalts itself above the knowledge of God.

4. Destroy sin and its affect in the body.

5. Demand that every minister show proof of his calling by making his calling and election sure. This is holiness, the life of Christ on display.

These things must be understood. When they are not understood, we are simply going to work ministry according to what we think will work as opposed to God’s methodology.

Consider this example: Casting down every mindset that exalts itself above the knowledge of God.

Matthew 16:21-23

21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Method of Ministry: There was never a time that sin was in Jesus’ presence and he did not confront it, even if it was in His friends. We too must confront sin if it is in our presence.

Notice here that Jesus confronted His beloved disciple Peter. Let us pause for a moment and consider how significant this rebuke is. Jesus was dealing with a devil in Peter’s life – his pride. Note that Jesus told him that He would suffer many things, and that He would be killed. He did not stop there. He also let them know He would be resurrected. This, however, was not sufficient for Peter, because the fact that Jesus would suffer and be murdered, lingered in his mind. The murder of his Lord was not about to happen under his watch! He would not allow a finger to touch his beloved Jesus if he was around.

This was a devilish mindset because Jesus’ death was necessary for the salvation of mankind. Note that Peter’s disposition is evident all the way up to Jesus’ arrest. The same satanic spirit that was evident when Jesus rebuked him, manifested when Peter sought to kill the guards that came to take Jesus; the chopping off of an ear in the process.

The rebuke was for the purpose of saving Peter’s soul. Here are a few things that the rebuke effected:

• It caused Peter to know that the devil was using him at that point, and thus enabled him to have an immediate change of heart, while simultaneously encouraging him to examine himself and his emotions and match them to the will of God.
• It taught Peter as well as the others how to discern when the devil attempts to use them.
• The devil’s words were not allowed to linger and create mindsets and suggestions in the minds of the others around.
• The rebuke clarified doctrine by showing the necessity of His death.
• The rebuke destroyed satan’s purpose for telling the lie in the first place.

This principle is backed by Galatians 6:1 which says,

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

The principle is clear and scriptural. Note that the scripture instructs us to consider ourselves. This does not only refer to the fact that we want people to be gentle with us when they come to restore us; it also refers to the fact that if we were outside the will of God, we would want someone to come and help us. However, I will give you an example of how detrimental it is for a leader to disregard such a principle.

Romans 12:3-8

3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Method of Ministry: Stay in your lane! Minister according to what God has compacted you to do. Do not try to minister in a way or in a gift that God has not blessed you with.

The principle taught here speaks to the fact that we all have a measure of faith, or a specific role in ministry. Jesus had the Spirit without measure[1], however, His measure has been divided among the members of the Body of Christ. So we each have the fullness of the Spirit, yet with measure, which simply speaks to the fact God has assigned differing roles and gifts to us all according to His will, and they should not operate outside of their assignment.

In ministry we will come across circumstances where we may need to draw on other gifts to help. To request help does not mean that you are inadequate. It simply means that you recognize your measure and are seeking another member of the Body to give their supply. However, if there is lust in the heart, one may ignore their measure and seek to operate in a lane that was not designed for them.

To return to God, Drew must accept his own measure and trust God with his life. He must come to the knowledge that only the part that God has for him will satisfy him or bring him joy. As long as he tries to operate outside his measure, he will never be as effective in ministry as his ordination is capable of.

He must also recognize that the people are God’s people, and that they deserve to be properly cultivated. Allowing others to minister does not take anything away from what he is or what he has done. However, now is the time for God to be glorified through another gift, through which the people will be saved, and all the ministers will be rewarded.

Any ministry we seek to do outside of God’s methodology is motivated by lust, pride, or ignorance. We must agree with what the scriptures have outlined for us to do in ministry. We cannot have private interpretations about ministry, even as with doctrines. Let us agree with God, saints, and take heed to the instructions of the Holy Ghost.

[1] John 3:34 - For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.