This might be a really crude way of thinking, but I think it helps clarify the ministry of an apostle. An apostle is essentially an evangelist [u]and[/u] pastor rolled up into one. I don't believe Keith Daniel is an apostle because he takes no responsibility of oversight for the churches he ministers at. If they never invite him back to speak again, he will probably never take much thought to them again.

Each church an apostle is established with will provide continued oversight for the congregation they have a relationship with. He's vested in the care of the congregation. He's not just some itinerant minister floating by to give a good word of encouragement, and then *poof*, gone the next day forevermore. Even when an apostle is visiting some other congregation, he will continue to be interested in the other congregations spiritually. Thus, you see Paul in his letters continually praying and giving thanks for the churches in his network, and continuing to write and visit them.

*edit* An off-the-cuff after thought. Perhaps one could further divide things like this if it helps them to think about these things more. Imagine dividing apostles, evangelists, elders and teachers into these correlating camps:


a) Traveling
b) Localized

Ministry Group 1: a) Apostles b) Elders
Ministry Group 2: a) Evangelists b) Teachers
Ministry Group 3: a & b) Prophets



I would not attempt to defend these things dogmatically. I only give this as a way of thinking to better help us picture it in our mind. In the Scriptures, apostles and elders are related. Elders seem pretty much like localized resident apostles. We never see them going anywhere. Yet, the apostles Peter and John in their epistles writing as apostles also write to localized elders as their "fellow elders."

The only specific example of an evangelist in Scripture is Philip. He seems to simply be an itinerant free-floating preacher, proclaiming the gospel to the heathen everywhere he goes. But since we know from Eph 4:11 that evangelist are not merely for the heathen, but also for the building up and strengthening of the body, it is likely that he also simply went from church to church at times, merely instructing them and moving on. Thus, evangelist are sorta just like free-floating teachers in that regard.

And prophets can function both locally and in traveling.

I hope this has helped clarify.

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Jimmy H

A dear Pastor friend of mine ministers in Mexico as a missionary quite often. He is a PASTOR. He is NOT an Apostle, nor claims to be.

Can we fit him in as an avposto,lw by finding some definition using semantic ranges on a Greek word? That’s one of the problems we have today, people quote Greek, Hebrew, and Latin and can’t read it to save their lives.

Forget the grammatical terms…. When I say Apostle I’m talking about (Eph. 4:8b he gave gifts unto men) these men; Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists ECT. are the gifts unto men. (Eph 4:11) So if I asked if an Evangelist (the one with the special gift) can share insights about his ministry, I’m not just asking anyone who has evangelized. For example I believe Billy Gram is an evangelist, I’m asking him.

I know people who prophesy; but they are not PROPHETS.

Maybe someone understands what I’m trying to communicate.
I’m just asking if someone who is a TRUE APOSTLE (a gift from God, a unique calling for today) can share some insight, that’s all.

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JOSHUA MEYERS

KingJimmy,
Thanks for your insight. One thing I’m trying to find out is, if you took two men, and both are doing the same type of ministry, yet one has this unique gift and the other does not; What benifet would the one with the gift be? If any?

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JOSHUA MEYERS

About a Year ago some man came into our Church {or the Church I used to attend}
he poured oil over the Pastors head, and said that the Pastor was an Apostle, and that his Daughter was a Prophetess.
He was giving out the Gifts of the Spirit.
the Pastor hasn't been the same since, and this man told him he would preach to lots of people.
Everytime this man came to Church, the Pastor was exalted over Christ.
He blew some type of horn and was out of order.
Not at any time did the Pastor tell him he was out of order, or disturbing the Service.
I can't tell you what an Apostle is, but I can tell you what one isn't.
This man wasn't sent from God.
Thanks for letting me share this.
God Bless
Nellie

brethren

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Farai Bamu

Lovegrace,
It is true that gifting can and does overlap.

Lovegrace,“And I believe that is the case with Phillip”

Scripture never calls Phillip an Apostle, with this in mind I believe it is always safe to lean on what Scripture says. Although it is possible for the gifts and callings to overlap, I still believe some can hold an office and do the work of another office.

Correct me if I am wrong, I never thought Timothy was an Evangelist, yet he was told by Paul to do the WORK of an evangelist (2Tim 4:5)

Does everyone who can do the work of a special gifting (Eph 4:11) automatically make them one? Or is this a divine gift from God?

I have a hard time believing ALL= APOSTLES.

Go ye in to all the world= Universal call= to All Christians
Therefore all Christians are APOSTLES= Sent out ones
This seems to fit your logic;

If this is true just call me APOSTLE, PROPHET, EVANGELIST, THE PASTOR WHO TEACHES Josh

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JOSHUA MEYERS

I know the Greek for apostle (apostelo) is sent out. When I’m talking about apostles I’m not just talking about people being sent out. I’m talking about the unique calling of an Apostle.

Example: The Greek word for raise up is from the root (egero) which means simply to rise up.
If I asked you if you can raise the dead, I’m not asking if you can lift up a dead body,
But, I’m sure you can make the Greek word fit for this. So, when I’m asking if you can raise the dead, I’m asking if you can bring back life. The same thing it means in the Bible.

In like manner when I’m asking about Apostles I’m not referring to every Christian I’m referring to one with the calling, you know like, Paul, Peter and John.

Third call, IF THERE IS ANY APOSTLES ON THIS SITE, CAN YOU SHARE THE UNIQUENESSS OF YOUR MINISTRY TODAY?

Thanks, Apostle Evangelist…….. just kidding

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JOSHUA MEYERS

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Jimmy H