APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT C. Peter Wagner
INTRODUCTION The title: APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11 1. Apostles The Second Apostolic Age began in 2001.
2. Alignment For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:12 Equipping = aligning Katardizo
WHY ALIGNMENT WITH APOSTLES? And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
1. HOW DOES THIS WORK BIBLICALLY? Three biblical examples: (1) Ezekiel's Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37) Ezekiel prophesied 2 things.!! So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Ezekiel 37:7 Katartizo = the bones came together! So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet. Ezekiel 37:10 Life came in!
RESULT? An exceedingly great army. Ezekiel 37:10 This is the army of God!
(2) David s army (Robert Heidler) David living in caves. God helped him assemble an army through alignment. The recruits came to David. David took whoever came: The losers came And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. 1 Samuel 22:2 The winners came Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men who trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. 1 Chronicles 12:8
Why? They wanted their lives to count for the future. They aligned with David. What happened? " David s anointing flowed into them! " They became an army of winners! " They went on to rule Judah, then all of Israel! Alignment causes God s purpose to be fulfilled!
(3) Timothy and Titus were aligned with Paul Not Pastoral Epistles but Apostolic Epistles " Timothy is aligned with Paul A son Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, my true son in the faith: 1 Timothy 1:1-2 Titus is aligned with Paul. A son Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to Titus, my true son in our common faith. Titus 1:1,4
2. HOW DOES THIS WORK TODAY? The modern structure for apostolic alignment is apostolic networks. Let s look at four networks:
1. VERTICAL NETWORKS Apostle Churches Ministries
2. HORIZONTAL NETWORKS Apostle Apostles Apostles Leaders
3. FUNCTIONAL NETWORKS women Apostle prayer leaders youth workers
4. TERRITORIAL NETWORKS
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS: " Primary vs secondary alignment " Dual or multiple alignments
APOSTLES ALL HAVE SPHERES Spheres are assigned by God. Vertical apostle: sphere is aligned churches or ministries. Paul boasted of his authority. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed. 2 Corinthians 10:8 But only within his sphere. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us a sphere which especially includes you. 2 Corinthians 10:13
Territorial apostles: a geographic sphere Functional apostles: a functional sphere Horizontal apostles: frequently a convening assignment. When you align with apostles, you always align with certain spheres. For example, spheres in the workplace. (7 Mountains.)
Religion Education Media Family Government Business Arts & Entertainment
Religion Religion
Family Family
Education Education
Government Government
Media Media
Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment
Business Business
The Kingdom of Our God Religion Education Media Family Government Business Arts & Entertainment
3. WHAT BENEFITS COME FROM APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT? " Apostolic anointing begins to flow through you. " A spiritual transaction in the invisible world. The Holy Spirit finds open doors for imparting wisdom and revelation. " The whole church or ministry benefits.
But suppose you are not aligned? You re scattered! You will not fulfill all the destiny that God has for you!