SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS

Transcription

1 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Chapter 8 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Reaching the harvest will require apostolic teams and companies. Man cannot save himself. We live in a world that is taught they don t need the God of the Bible. Secular humanists have educated them to believe they are their own gods and capable of finding their own way through life. 139

2 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS The sad conclusion of this doctrine is complete moral collapse, unmitigated corruption and lack of identity, direction and purpose. The only salvation for humanity is Christ. Jesus said, Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus is still looking for disciples that will take His Gospel into the harvest fields. Unfortunately, we have a problem. Churches around the world have become ineffectual in reaching the lost and unchurched. Our model of ministry draw people to a building with every gimmick you can think of is not working. We need a better way, a New Testament way, and an apostolic way. Christ will return for a glorious Church that has cleared away the humanistic dross and rediscovered God s model for effective ministry. Ministry leaders are struggling with falling church attendance, apathy and lukewarmness in their congregations and the lack of spiritual fervor. If we want something different, then we must do something different. We need a new model 140 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

3 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS of ministry. Current church models do everything they can to draw people to their buildings to attend services. That model only produces a group of people shuffled from one church to the next. No new converts. Apostolic ministry gifts bring structure and order to the Church (Titus 1:5). We cannot expect change if we do the same thing this year that did not work the year before. To reach our cities for Christ, apostolic tactics are needed. Building apostolic teams and companies of sent ones from Antioch-model ministries is one of those tactics (Acts 13). Instead of expecting the lost to attend our churches on their own accord, we must go out and get them. This is how the Founder of the Church, Christ, taught His disciples. Jesus said, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled (Luke 14:23). We must learn how to compel the unchurched to come into God s house. This is the New Testament model for church growth, go out and get them. If we are going to see the glorious church revealed, then we need to change the way we reach our cities with the Gospel (Ephesians 5:27). Apostolic churches are modeling a different pattern for ministry. Instead of 141

4 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS doing everything possible to attract people to a church, they are training various harvest teams to invade their communities. This type of ministry will require us to build apostolic teams and companies. They are, however, effective. Spirit of Life Ministries in Hallandale Beach, Florida, the territory of the church I apostle, has a population of around 1.7 million people. 1 A recent poll said that 45 percent never attend church 2. That s a whopping 765,000 unchurched people! Sometime ago we sent two apostolic teams into our local harvest field. The teams efforts resulted in nearly 100 people repenting of their sins and accepting Christ as their Savior. At that rate 1,200 souls would be saved by the year s end with only two teams. What if we had 20 teams laboring in the city? Then it would be possible to see 12,000 people born again by the year s end. How about 40 teams laboring in the city? Get the point? Even with 100 teams the harvest is so plentiful thousands would still be unreached. This proves that it would take many new apostolic churches sending teams to reach the harvest in our city. Forming apostolic teams and companies is one part of the new apostolic church revolution. Let s learn how the Apostle Paul built an apostolic team. 142 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

5 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS PAUL S APOSTOLIC TEAM The Apostle Paul showed us how he built an apostolic company by finding disciples, laying hands on them to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, spiritual impartation, modeling boldness, forbidding prejudice and showcasing deliverance ministry. We can find his example in the following Scripture: And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain disciples said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said to them, To what then were ye baptized? And they said, To John s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:1-5). 143

6 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS STEP ONE: GATHER DISCIPLES Apostles don t work alone. Jesus didn t send them out alone and neither should we. He sent them out two and two (Mark 6:7). They have an anointing to gather disciples and put them to work as a team. Paul s first step when he entered the city of Ephesus was to gather disciples. He didn t have many to begin with, only 12 are mentioned. From these 12 he formed an apostolic revolutionary team that built one of the greatest churches in history, the Ephesus church. Gathering disciples was putting first things first. A true disciple (Greek mathetes) of Christ is not simply a born again believer. A true disciple is a person that lives according to the Word of God to the best of their ability. Jesus described a disciple as one who, Abides in His Word ( John 8:31). Disciples love the Word, are lifelong students, doers of the Word, and are spiritually hungry and remain teachable (2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:22). They know the Word of God and the ways of God. There are many believers, but few disciples. Notice Paul asked these disciples if they had received the Holy Ghost since 144 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

7 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS they believed in Christ. Their response was revealing. They said they had never heard of a baptism of the Holy Ghost. At this point in Paul s life he is a seasoned apostle. Many years passed since he was sent out of Antioch. Because of the warfare against his life and ministry, he knew these disciples had to be filled with the Holy Ghost. When Jesus formed His revolutionary team right before His ascension into heaven He directed them to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. But you will receive power after the Holy Ghost is come on you and you will be witnesses to me (Acts 1:8). Notice Jesus said you would receive power after, not before. Apostles never ignore the spiritual condition of their team members. Team members need the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and prophecy. And when Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). 145

8 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS STEP TWO: BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST Second, Paul laid his hands on these disciples and prayed they might be baptized with the Holy Ghost. This is the New Testament biblical pattern for building apostolic teams. Apostolic team members should be filled with the Holy Ghost to be effective in ministry. Remember, we are rediscovering the Apostle Paul s apostolic model. This is it. There is no way to handle the extreme pressure and opposition to the Gospel without Jesus dumanis power to witness, the Holy Spirit Himself. Not only does the Holy Spirit give you power, He is your spiritual teacher. There are many references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. After Jesus resurrection He commanded His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. Jesus had spoken of this same promise when He said, If you love me keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father and he will give you another Comforter that he may remain with you forever even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth 146 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

9 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS him not neither knoweth him: but you know him for he dwelleth with you and will be in you ( John 14:15-17). Jesus also declared: For John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now. Jesus also assured them that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost was come on them and that they would be witnesses to him (Acts 1:4-8). John the Baptist also prophesied of this great baptism. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Then that precious day came. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from heaven 147

10 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). The Apostle Peter was also in the Upper Room that day and was filled with Holy Ghost power and spoke with other tongues. After he left the building, people asked him the same question that is being asked today, What meaneth this? Responding, he preached his first Holy Ghost-empowered sermon. His message pierced the hearts of the hearers and they asked, What must we do? Peter, who just days before denied the Lord Jesus, answered with great boldness. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call (Acts 2:37-39). 148 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

11 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS This same baptism of the Holy Spirit is available for you right now. Let s pray together... Jesus, You are my Lord and my Savior. Lord, I want everything You have to give me. I want the same precious gift of the Holy Spirit You poured out on Your servants in that upper room. By faith and according to Your word, baptize me and fill me right now with Your Holy Spirit. I accept Your promise by faith. In Jesus name. Thank You, Lord. STEP THREE: LAYING ON OF HANDS AND SPIRITUAL IMPARTATION Paul modeled his apostolic ministry through the laying on of hands for impartation on those 12 disciples. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). Paul taught his new team the doctrine of the laying on of hands and the power of apostolic impartation. This doctrine originated with Christ (Hebrews 6:2). After he prayed there was a 149

12 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS release of the Holy Spirit on these believers and they began to speak in other tongues and prophesy. Apostolic ministry is a ministry of impartation. Paul said in Romans, I want to come to you that I might pass on some spiritual gift to the end you may be established (Romans 1:11). There are many examples of the ministry of the laying on of hands throughout Scripture. Let s review a few. LAYING ON OF HANDS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Priest laid hands on a scapegoat as means of transferring iniquity (Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 16:21, 22). 2. Jacob placed his hands on Joseph s children to pass on blessings (Genesis 48:14-16). 3. Moses imparted a portion of his wisdom and authority to Joshua by the laying on of hands at God s command. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands on him (Deuteronomy 34:9). 150 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

13 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS LAYING ON OF HANDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 4. Jesus flowed in the ministry of the laying on of hands. In healing He touched a leper. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:3). 5. Jairus sought Jesus to lay hands on his daughter. My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed and she will live (Mark 5:23). 6. Jesus laid his hands on the deaf. And they brought to him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech and they besought him to put his hand on him (Mark 7:32). 7. Jesus laid hands in blessing the children. And they brought young children to him that he should touch them (Mark 10:13). 8. Many Signs and Wonders. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs 151

14 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS and wonders wrought among the people (Acts 5:12). 9. Receiving the Holy Spirit. Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17-19). 10. Healing of sight. And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to thee in the way as thou came hath sent me that thou might receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:17). 11. Apostolic Commission. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them they sent them away (Acts 13:3). 12. More Signs and Wonders. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands (Acts 14:3). 152 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

15 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS 13. Tongues and Prophesy. And when Paul had laid his hands on them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). 14. Special Miracles. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases left from them and the evil spirits went out of them (Acts 19:11-12). STEP FOUR: MODEL BOLDNESS IN SPIRIT The next step the Apostle Paul did was to show a bold ability to preach and teach the Gospel to a not so receptive group of religious people for three months. And all the men were about twelve. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and 153

16 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus (Acts 19:7-9). Grace for spiritual boldness is an apostolic trait. The Apostle Paul trained by example. Here the team gets a chance to hear Paul speaking boldly in the synagogue, challenging and swaying the listeners. Apostolic boldness expresses itself during conflict. Notice, too, that Paul taught about the Kingdom of God. Certainly Paul spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the atoning blood of Jesus. This Scripture, however, says he spoke boldly about the Kingdom of God. The message of the Kingdom of God is reestablishing the Kingdom of God on earth through Christ disciples. In my book Kingdom Living you will discover what Jesus and His apostles really preached. You won t see this preaching on Christian television. The Holy Ghost loves boldness. To be bold shows a readiness to take risks and face danger. Not boldness worked up by man s soul but evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Apostolic grace is visible. Here are some examples of boldness in Scripture. 154 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

17 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS FOUR EXAMPLES OF BOLDNESS 1. The wicked flee when no man pursues but the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). 2. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1:14). 3. But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully treated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much conflict (1 Thessalonians 2:2). 4. And now Lord behold their threatenings and grant to thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word (Acts 4:29). STEP FIVE: FREE OF RACISM AND PREJUDICE The fifth principle the apostle models are breaking down walls of racism and prejudice. Paul left the church 155

18 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS after three months and taught in Tyrannus school for two years. This was a multiethnic school with both Jews and Gentiles. Here Paul s grace flourished and all of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). Paul, taking the pattern from the Antioch church taught the Gospel was not for Jews only but also Gentiles. He teaches them to break through walls of cultural separation, prejudice and racism. It s unfortunate that some people who say they love Christ refuse to worship in multiethnic settings. The apostolic team must guard themselves from partiality, favoritism and discrimination. Racist people can never enter the new apostolic Church revolution. STEP SIX: TRAIN IN DELIVERANCE MINISTRY The sixth step to forming an apostolic company is training in deliverance ministry. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them (Acts 19:11-12). 156 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

19 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Paul was given the opportunity to display the miracle working power of God and teach the newlyformed team about deliverance ministry. Apostles don t ignore the devil. You cannot build a new apostolic church and ignore enemies in the unseen spirit world. In the past some untrained overzealous people have abused the merits of deliverance ministry but that doesn t mean we should stop helping people. Some try to replace holy living and obedience with excuses for sinful behavior that can often be linked to generational curses, soul ties and witchcraft. Our apostolic teams, therefore, must train in spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry. Jesus said that deliverance is the children s bread (Matthew 15:22, 26). Paul trained the members of his church to put on the armor of God and engage spiritual enemies. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12). 157

20 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS Before Jesus sent out His apostolic teams He gave them power against spirits. He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1). Again, Jesus never taught His apostles to ignore the devil. Jesus didn t leave them alone and neither should we. Demonic powers are still saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know you who you are; the Holy One of God. Jesus answered them, Hold thy peace and come out of him (Luke 4:34-35). Disease is often, not always, directly related to demonic activity as seen in the following Scriptures. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about 158 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

21 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him (Acts 10:38). There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one (Acts 5:16). Understanding your authority as a disciple in spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry is important to the apostolic team. Spiritual warfare is simply binding and loosing in prayer and attacking on purpose spiritual strongholds of opposition and resistance to the advancement of the Gospel in a territory (Matthew 18:18-20). It is a taking up, in prayer, the authority of the believer that Jesus gave His disciples (Luke 10:17-20). This is all with the understanding that we are not wrestling with people, but with principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Deliverance ministry and the casting out of demons is the first sign that should follow the believer. And these signs will follow them that believe; In my name will they cast out devils (Mark 16:17). An apostolic governing church never substitutes deliverance with counseling. They don t try to talk out what can only 159

22 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS be cast out. This is not to say that they don t offer counseling; they do. Apostolic ministry, however, flows in the anointing that sets captives free. There are many different types of prayer in the Word of God, all given for Spirit-life living and the advancement of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:18). Let s review DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER The Prayer of Importunity, a prayer that doesn t give up (Luke 18:6-8). The Prayer of Faith ( James 5:15; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24). Deliverance Prayer (Acts 16:18). Binding and Loosing (Matthew 16:19). The Prayer of Agreement (Matthew 18:18-20; Leviticus 26:8). Praying in the Spirit and other tongues ( Jude 20; 1 Corinthians 14:4, 14:14-15; Isaiah 28:11-12; Acts 10:46). 160 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

23 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Fervent Effective Prayer ( James 5:16; Romans 12:11; Colossians 4:12). The Prayer of Consecration and Dedication (Luke 22:42). The Prayer of Commitment (1 Peter 5:7). The Prayer of Worship (Luke 24:52-53; Acts 13:1-4). Corporate Prayer (Acts 4:23-31). Prayer with Groaning and Travail (Romans 8:26; Isaiah 66:8; Galatians 4:19; Jeremiah 30:6). SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS THE BRIDGE Spiritual warfare prayer is part of apostolic ministries. Apostolic ministries use all the various types of prayer at their disposal, including spiritual warfare prayers of binding and loosing. Sometimes I hear people bashing those that teach the truth about spiritual warfare or deliverance ministry. The problem with that is twofold. 161

24 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS First, you cannot receive what you mock and attack. Second, spiritual warfare and deliverance is a key ingredient of effective ministries. During the 1980s, the church began acting in a deeper understanding of spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry. The 1990s fostered a further restoration of the prophetic ministry. The first part of the 21st century experienced restoring of ascension gift apostles and tactics to transition out of a pastoral-only model of ministry into an apostolic model of ministry. Spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry were the bridge that transitioned the church from a teachingpastoring-only ministry that was so prominent in the 1970s to the apostolic model today. Those that crossed the bridge offered balanced deliverance ministries and used their authority through spiritual warfare as an intricate role in the birthing of new apostolic churches worldwide. Apostolic teams must prepare to meet strong opposition from Satan and occult influences in society (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Christians cannot continue to avoid spiritual conflict while hiding behind a comfortable and often backslidden condition. To do this ignores the needs of those around them. Opposition, abuse and resistance are all part of the package. Paul 162 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

25 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS declared, For a great door and effectual is opened to me and there are many enemies (1 Corinthians 16:9). The effective advancement of the Gospel always causes a reaction, some are negative. NEGATIVE REACTIONS TO APOSTOLIC MINISTRY Let s look at seven negative reactions to apostolic ministry. This may be why some are reluctant to join the revolution. 1. PERSECUTION, ABUSE AND ILL-TREATMENT And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming... But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts (Acts 13:44-45, 50). 163

26 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS 2. THREATENED, ASSAULTED AND ATTACKED And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were aware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lieth round about (Acts 14:1-6). 3. REJECTED, BEATEN AND STONED And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him 164 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

27 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20). 4. PERSECUTED AND AFFLICTED But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them (2 Timothy 3:10-14). 5. FEARED AND SHAMEFULLY TREATED But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at 165

28 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention (1 Thessalonians 2:2). 6. TICKETED AND FINED And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also... And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go (Acts 17:6,9). ( Jason was probably required to put up property or post a bond as a guarantee toward keeping peace in the city.) 7. FOUGHT, CONTRADICTED AND OPPOSED But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came there also, and stirred up the people (Acts 17:13). A fully functioning apostolic ministry causes a stir in the city as it moves forward with a compelling 166 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

29 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS and invading Gospel that fulfills Jesus commandment, Occupy till I come (Luke 19:13). Despite the illtreatment the rewards are great. STEP SEVEN: A SERVANT S HEART Apostles train those with servant hearts. Step seven for forming apostolic teams and companies is the servant s heart. After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he stayed in Asia for a season (Acts 19:21-22). Paul completes the apostolic pattern gathering, teaching, training and sending. He chooses Timothy and Erastus, two of his spiritual sons that ministered to him and sent them on apostolic assignment. Erastus was not only a servant he was a city manager (Romans 16:23). Until you have learned to serve someone else you can never be a sent one. Minister, from the Greek 167

30 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS word minus or minor, means one who acts as an inferior agent in obedience or subservience to another and one who serves or officiates in contrast to the master (magnus). The most familiar English word describing a servant is deacon. Someone once asked, How do I know if I am a servant? The answer is, You find out by how you respond when you are being treated like one. The Holy Spirit is teaching us the importance of apostolic teams and companies. Once we thought of the apostles Paul or Peter working alone, but now we know they never worked alone. They formed many teams. Here are Scriptures naming those team members: Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:43, 46) Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19) Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas (Acts 15:22) Peter and John (Acts 3:1) Paul and Timothy (Philippians 1:1) Paul and Silvanus and Timothy (Acts 16:19) Paul and Company Team (Acts 13:13) 168 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

31 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Even though apostles build apostolic teams, they don t use just anyone. In the next chapter we will discover the qualifications for apostolic team members. ACTON EXERCISE I know you want to do something great for God with your life. Follow the Apostle Paul s example and get baptized in the Holy Spirit. He is your teacher who will lead you and guide you in all truth. Next, do everything you can to renew your mind with the Word of God. Spiritual maturity is a must and only comes through learning and applying God s truth to your life. If you don t think right, then you can t believe right. As you continue to grow in the Word, learn the ways of the Holy Spirit. Watch what He likes and dislikes. Then start using the spiritual authority He gave you by submitting yourself to God and resisting the devil. Finally, make sure you find a good Bible-believing, Holy Spirit anointed church and join the revolution of righteousness. 169

32 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS APERÇU Apostolic ministry gifts bring structure and order to the Church (Titus 1:5). We cannot expect change if we do the same thing this year that did not work the year before. Apostolic tactics are needed to reach our cities for Christ. Building apostolic teams and companies of sent ones from Antioch model ministries is one of those tactics (Acts 13). Instead of expecting the lost to attend our churches on their own accord we must go out and get them. This is how the founder of the Church, Christ, taught his disciples. Jesus said, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled (Luke 14:23). This is the New Testament model for church growth, go out and get them. The Apostle Paul showed us how he built an apostolic company by finding disciples, laying hands on them to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, spiritual impartation, modeling boldness, forbidding prejudice and showcasing deliverance ministry. 170 WWW. JONASCLARK.COM

33 SEVEN STEPS FOR BUILDING APOSTOLIC TEAMS Apostles don t work alone. Jesus didn t send them out alone and neither should we. He sent them out two and two (Mark 6:7). A true disciple (Greek mathetes) of Christ is not simply a born again believer. A true disciple is a person that lives according to the Word of God to the best of their ability. Apostolic team members should be filled with the Holy Ghost to be effective in ministry. Remember, we are rediscovering the Apostle Paul s apostolic model. This is it. There is no way to handle the extreme pressure and opposition to the Gospel without Jesus dumanis power to witness, the Holy Spirit Himself. Not only does the Holy Spirit give you power, He is your spiritual teacher. Paul taught his new team the doctrine of the laying on of hands and the power of apostolic impartation. This doctrine originated with Christ (Hebrews 6:2). Grace for spiritual boldness is an apostolic trait. The Apostle Paul trained by example. The fifth principal the apostle models are breaking down walls of racism and prejudice. 171

34 EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS The sixth step to forming an apostolic company is training in deliverance ministry. An apostolic governing church never substitutes deliverance with counseling. Apostles don t ignore the devil. You cannot build a new apostolic church and ignore enemies in the unseen spirit world. Apostolic teams must be prepared to meet strong opposition from Satan and occult influences in society (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Spiritual warfare and deliverance is a key ingredient of apostolic ministry. Paul completes the apostolic pattern gathering, teaching, training and sending. Notes: 1. United States Census Bureau, Broward County Quick Facts 2006 population estimates. 2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sun Sentinel Newspaper Poll, April WWW. JONASCLARK.COM