For well over twenty years I have been studying, researching, meditating and pondering what place if any, apostles have in our modern church world. I am certainly NOT a cessationist (one that believes certain gifts and offices passed away with the early disciples), but neither can I stomach some of the actions of some who claim to be apostles in our day. I have also learned over time, you can’t throw the baby out with the bath water: someone needs to pull the plug on the dirty water and clean the baby up!
My wife has told me for many years I am an apostle. Many others call me an apostle. I’m not at the place where I would claim that title just yet, mainly because I’m not a person seeking after a title. Any title, honor or recognition I have ever received, I never sought for it, it came to me; people sought me out and gave me any recognition that I have.
There are many who believe that the term apostle actually comes from the Roman system of government. When the Roman military would conquer a city or nation, apostles were “sent” (apostle means one sent with a message) to teach the conquered people to live like Rome, work like Rome, redesign the city like Rome, dress like Rome so that if Ceasar were to come riding into the new city, it would make him think he was in Rome.
I do know this: we are citizens of another country, another King, whose builder and maker is God. This world is NOT our home, we are only passing through. Paul tells the Corinthian people we are ambassadors for Christ with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). Our job as Kingdom citizens it to live like Jesus, speak like Jesus, dress like Jesus (not necessarily in robes and sandals), allow Him to design our lives so that when His Presence comes in our midst He feels right at home.
