THE CHURCH AND APOSTOLIC ORDER

It has been twenty-two years since the Lord spoke to me about starting this ministry. I remember how happy I was at the sound of His words for I knew that He would perform all that He had spoken to me. In obedience I started the church as He instructed. I did not know at the time that I would be the founder of many churches. But from that one church in Fort Lauderdale FL, through the ministry of the Holy Ghost, I have established churches throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada. Oh, and I must not forget the saints in London, England. During this time there have been other pastors who have brought their ministries under this spiritual umbrella. Now I need you to understand something here. I never wanted to have the responsibility of one church not to mention several.

I was satisfied just to teach without the responsibility of nurturing and developing the new creatures to whom I ministered. But then the commandment came. “I am a God of order and I want you to establish my government in the Church. I have called you to be an apostle to my people, and just as I sent Moses into Egypt to bring my people out of slavery, I am sending you to the Church to bring my people out of ignorance.”

Paul told the Church at Philippi, “As much as you have attained walk therein.” I cannot pretend that I did not discern the presence or know the voice of God. He had spoken to me and given a commandment. Needless to say, twenty-two years ago there were those who sneered at the idea of a woman being an apostle, even a pastor for that matter but, I knew that I had no choice but to obey. Furthermore, I knew nothing about pasturing a flock so how in the world would I ever walk in the office of an apostle? It is very difficult for me to continue to type this seeing as how tears begin to fill my eyes as I think about how God, in His faithfulness, took me aside and talked to me every step of the way.

The Lord knew the strength of my confidence in Him would be found in His Word. He knew I would do whatever He instructed but He also knew I would have to find the confirmation in His written Word. You see the Lord impressed upon me a long time ago that I must believe on Him the way the Scripture has said. This, too, must become your strength. Therefore, He confirmed my calling through the Scriptures as well and my heart was settled. If you have any questions concerning women in the ministry see my book titled, “The Truth About Women in the Ministry.” This book is not a justification it is a revelation God gave me over 20 years ago. I am updating it to include the increase He has given me over the years. It will be available to the public in May 2006. Now back to the issue at hand. The commandment was to set the order, acknowledge it and raise up His people within it. But up to that point I had never heard of Apostolic Order. The Lord took me to the writings Paul sent to the Corinthian Church.

1 Corinthians 12:28

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.

His explanation of this scripture was as follows. It is the apostle who is responsible for setting the boundaries of the faith. He receives a completed revelation of Christ. He is the backbone of the five-fold body ministry. All the other members are attached to the backbone including the head who is Christ Jesus Himself. Paul insists Christ gave these ministry gifts of the apostle, a prophet, a pastor, the teacher and the evangelist so that we might grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly is joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, (Eph 4:15-16).

We can see from the structure of the human body that the head (Christ) is indeed attached to the backbone (the apostle), before any of the other members such as the arms (prophets and pastors) and legs (teachers and evangelists). That revelation is then confirmed by the prophets. The Word is then given to the pastors and teachers who feed it to the flock. The evangelist along with his gifts of healings and miracles ministers that same Word in compelling sinners to worship God. These gifts were placed in the body for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: (Eph 4:11-13).

My dear brothers and sisters, I know the abuse that has been perpetrated in the Body of Christ on the disguise of apostleship. But don’t throw the baby out with the wash. God has raised up some true apostles who are not interested in forming relationships with pastors simply for monetary gain. There are some of us whose meat it is to do the will of the Father. In the beginning I was not an advocate for such responsibility but it is the will and the way of our God. It is with true Apostolic Order that you will receive a completed revelation of the mystery of our Christ. It is also with true Apostolic Order that you will be perfected and, in turn, be able to perfect the saints. Last, but not least, it is with true Apostolic Order that we will all speak the same thing.

Hebrews 6:1-2

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Now brethren, you will have to judge your own ministry in the lives of the people of God. Are you continuously laying the foundation of repentance for those who are already saved and know the way? Is your pet sermon water baptism? Or, are you one of those who constantly lay hands on the people of God to zap them into righteousness or more commonly prosperity? The teachings of Jesus Christ laid the foundation for all that we are to minister to the people of God. However, it is the epistles of the apostles that render to us the how-to’s of Christ’s teachings. Peter, James, John and especially Paul taught us how to walk in the beatitudes. Study the Scriptures again, brethren, for the perspective of the new creature and you will find that you, too, will be able to bring your congregation to perfection.

We are all laborers together with Christ. Please do not allow the fear of being taken advantage of or the fear of losing or rather lessening your image or status among your people be a deterrent. If you are the servant of God, submit to His order and you will find your place in the Body to be one that will glorify the Father. If you are lacking in the knowledge of this mystery, or feel that you simply need help in understanding some of the things that are taught here, by all means contact me or some other true apostle to whom God has revealed these truths. We are your servants and will labor with you. And this will we do, if God permit. My love for you increases daily