World Overcomers Outreach Ministries  

WORLD OVERCOMERS IS AN APOSTOLIC MINISTRY

UNDERSTANDING THE GIFT AND MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLES

ARE APOSTLES FOR TODAY? WHY HAS IT BEEN SO DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE
TO ACCEPT AND FOLLOW THIS GIFT TO BE EXERCISED?

Most people, out of a sense of humility regarding the biblical apostles, consider the office
too lofty for any person to walk in today. Also, tradition has taught that the office of the apostle
ceased at the close of the century.
The enemy fears the office of the apostle and its full restoration, Apostolic ministry will
significantly impact the Kingdom of darkness. Therefore, hell shudders and works to bring
confusion to the Body of Christ by clouding their understanding.
And he gave some, APOSTLES; and some prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers; 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 fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-13)
1) Scripture never indicates that the office of the apostle would cease.
2) The New Testament names the apostles as gifts to the church age in the same passage as
pastors, evangelists, and teachers. If we accept pastors based upon Ephesians 4:11-12,
we must also accept the apostles.
3) Ephesians 4:11 also reveals that all five of these offices will continue to perform in the
plan of God ‘until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a perfect man to the measure of the statute of the fullness of Christ. Of course,
the Church has not arrived at a place of maturity and perfection. Therefore, the office of
the apostle is still for today.
4) THERE WERE FOUR LEVELS OF APOSTLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
A) Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:1)
B) The 12 Apostles of the Lamb (Luke 6:12)
C) The Post-Ascension Apostles (Ephesians 4:11-12)
D) Those involved in apostolic ministry, like the 70 Christ sent out (Luke 10:1)
APOSTLE DEFINED
An apostle is one who is called and sent by Christ to have spiritual authority, character,
gifts, and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order.
Especially through founding and overseeing local churches (David Cannistraci).
An apostle is a Christian leader, gifted, taught, commissioned, and sent by God with the
authority to establish the foundational government of the church within an assigned sphere of
ministry by hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches and by setting things in order
accordingly for the growth and maturity of the church (Peter Wagner).