Laying the Foundation: The Foundation of Apostles and Prophets

Our Theme is “Rebuilding the House of God”

Ezra 1:5 ESV

5 Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.

Is your spirit stirred?

Is your faith strong?

Are you ready to rebuild the house of God?

Today we are laying the foundation.

We have talked about the foundation of faith as believing, belonging and obeying God.

These are the stones upon which the building rests.

But when you build a house, you start by placing the cornerstones.

This is where most of the weight will be concentrated, so it must be strong.

It is also the reference point where everything will be measured from.

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church.

1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

This is the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

It is absolutely central to bear the weight of the building and as the reference point for knowing where everything in the building should be.

The next step involves Apostles and Prophets.

Ephesians 2:19–22 NLT

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

When I am building a foundation, I first set the corner stone and then I begin to lay stones moving out from the cornerstone in two directions to make the corner.

These next stones are apostles and prophets.

The Bible speaks of five leadership gifts that are given for building up the church.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NLT

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

But of all of the gifts of leadership in the church, there is an order.

Not an order of importance, because all of the gifts are essential.

But it is an order of function - just like when you build you begin at the corner.

Building the church begins with apostles and prophets.

1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT

28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

So Apostles come first because they are the master builders.

Every building begins with a plan.

Then the Prophets, they are like the surveyors.

They see the lay of the land and have a sense of where is a good place to build.

They are the foundation layers.

Then you have teachers who are like the framers.

Miracles are the power, and healing is probably the plumbing.

Helps and leadership is like the walls and the rooms.

The last thing to go in is the speakers and equipment.

But today we are only concerned about the foundation - Apostles and Prophets.

First we will talk about what is an apostle, then what is the prophet and then we need to talk about how these two can work together to make a strong foundation.

The Apostle

Apostles are leaders in the church who are focused on Kingdom growth and expansion.

The word “Apostle: in the New Testament means “one who is sent.”

The way it was most often used was to speak of an ambassador or an official sent to establish a new territory.

So a dignitary or a general would be sent to a conquered territory to establish roman rule.

They would proclaim that everyone was under the authority of their kingdom and then they would establish a new order and a new culture.

Jesus appointed apostles to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Mark 3:14 ESV

14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

He gave them authority over evil spirits and the power to do miracles.

Matthew 10:1 ESV

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

C. Peter Wagner in his book “Apostles and Prophets” identifies six main functions of first century Apostles.

Apostles Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God’s End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth Chapter 1: Why a Book about Apostles?

Six Main Functions of First-Century Apostles

1. Taking the gospel to unreached areas (Rom. 15:20, NIV).

2. Planting churches upon the foundation of Christ and helping established churches return to this scriptural foundation (1 Cor. 3:10, 11; Gal. 1:6–10; 3:13; Rev. 2:15).

3. Appointing and training the initial leaders of a church (Acts 14:21–23; Titus 1:5).

4. Dealing with specific problems, false doctrines or sins (1 Cor. 1:1–16:24; Acts 15).

5. Promoting unity in the Body of Christ and networking churches (Eph. 4:1–16; Acts 11:27–30; Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:9).

6. Demonstrating and imparting the supernatural dimension of the kingdom of God (2 Cor. 12:12; Acts 4:33; 8:4–20; 10:44–46; 19:16; 2 Tim. 1:6–7).

The first Apostles were given the task of launching the church but there are still apostles today.

Modern apostles are concerned with restoring the church to its original glory

And to ushering in the Kingdom and the end-time harvest.

The apostolic ministry is still characterized by miracles and deliverance because these are signs that the Kingdom of God is established.

The apostle may also have other leadership gifts, but they will function in a unique way.

Pastors are concerned about people and their spiritual welfare and growth,

but apostolic pastors are also thinking big picture - how does this impact the church, the community and the region?

Teachers want to communicate truth that will build up the church,

but apostolic teachers are thinking strategically, not just about personal transformation

but about tearing down the strongholds, the often repeated lies that hold our communities and our society in bondage.

Evangelists are concerned with sharing the gospel and bringing people to Christ,

but apostolic evangelists are thinking about multiplication,

how to set up a chain reaction where people are leading other people to Christ.

There are even prophetic apostles who are not just hearing God,

but they are concerned with activating other people in the prophetic.

And they also gather prophetic people together to better understand what God is saying.

The apostolic gift looks for ways to multiply the other functions.

Apostles are visionaries, they think of the big picture.

They are like master builders in that they always have a plan.

And they are alway tying to understand what is God’s plan?

And God’s plan is all about the Kingdom and bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The Kingdom is bringing heaven to earth.

So the apostle will be trying to figure out how he can make the part of earth for which he is responsible be more like heaven.

Apostles are not necessarily above the other leaders in the church,

but they will often be leaders of leaders,

because they will challenge and help other leaders to think and work together toward bigger goals.

Apostles are usually the ones gathering leaders together and networking them to be more effective.

If an apostle is the the primary leader, he will do this anyway using whatever influence he has to organize, inspire and make other leaders more effective.

Apostles Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God’s End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth Chapter 1: Why a Book about Apostles?

When apostles were active in the first-generation Church, a great harvest of souls was brought in. When the apostles are fully restored, there will be the greatest harvest of souls ever. I believe more souls will be saved in the last one hundred years of the Church than have been saved during all the other years of its existence. “The glory of this latter house [last-century Church] shall be greater than of the former [first-century Church]” (Hag. 2:9).

The Prophet

Prophets are those who speak the words of God.

Every believer should hear God’s voice, that is how we know God.

John 10:2–5 ESV

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

In that sense everyone has some prophetic ability.

Moses wished that everyone would prophecy.

Numbers 11:29 ESV

29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”

But there are some who are particularly good at hearing God’s voice and who have the ability and anointing to equip others.

That is why it is also a leadership gift in the church.

A prophet, as a leaders is not just making declarations, but is encouraging other people to hear God’s voice for themselves.

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

This verse says that prophets, build up , encourage and console.

Always make sure that you prophecy in a way that is constructive.

Prophets call people into their God- given destiny.

Whereas the apostles are sent, the prophets are often involved in the sending, calling apostles to fulfill their destiny.

Prophet Arise Prophets Are Often Called to Speak to Power

Prophets are often called to speak to power

Prophets can speak to people of power and those in positions of power. This is because power is so easily abused and misused. Nathan spoke to David. This is an example of speaking to power. Sometimes power does not want to hear what prophets say. Jesus spoke to power when He challenged the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy and abuse.

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.”

—1 KINGS 21:20

Prophets are called to speak to political power, economic power, religious power, and so on. Prophets also pray for those in power.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.

—BARON ACTON

This famous quote addresses the fact that men have a difficult time handing power. Pride tends to corrupt men of power, and this is why we need prophets who will speak to and challenge power.

Prophets are also known for being the ones to point out errors and to bring correction.

But mature prophets learn that it doesn’t help to bring down condemnation.

You want to find a way to say things that gives hope and encouragement.

Even if you need to bring a harsh word, there should always be some hope - otherwise, why say anything at all?

That was the lesson that Jonah learned … that God is gracious and compassionate and would not be sending a prophet if there were no hope of turning things around.

Prophets will often see things that are far off as if they were very near and so there is usually an urgency to their message.

For the prophet everything is urgent!

They can be very “black and white” in their thinking and can be given to extremes.

But prophets see what no one else sees.

And sometimes they have difficulty even expressing or putting into words what they see.

Prophesy has three parts or three steps:

What is the message?

What did God say? What were the exact words?

What did you see? What was the picture, the dream or the vision?

What was your impression? How did it make you feel? What was communicated on an emotional level?

What does it mean?

Did God give an interpretation or are you trying to make sense of it?

What did it mean to you? Were there things about the message that were specifically meaningful to you?

How does what you saw or heard relate to scripture? How does it relate to things that God has spoken in the past?

What should we do about it?

Is the word for an individual or for the church? Is it for the person who recieved it or for someone else?

If it is for the church or for someone else, whose responsibility is it to discern the word? Only they will know how it fits with how God is leading.

It is not the responsibility of the prophet to make sure that the word is released, it is only their responsibility to communicate what God has said.

If they are to interpret, God will give an interpretation, but do not presume to have the interpretation.

The application or releasing of the word is the work of pastors, teachers and apostles.

Apostles and prophets working together

To build the foundations of the church, apostles and prophets need to work together.

Apostles and prophets are how God given revelation to the church.

Ephesians 3:5 ESV

5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

Apostles and prophets equipping the saints is how the church becomes victorious over the enemy.

Revelation 18:20 ESV

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”

Sure, all of the five-fold ministry are important and necessary and vital for building up the church, but the apostles and prophets are the ones going out ahead to break new ground.

Prophet Arise Prophets and Apostles

Prophets like being with apostles, and apostles like being with prophets. These two ministries are linked together in the New Testament. Prophets stir apostles, and apostles stir prophets. These ministries complement and strengthen each other. They both tend to be persecuted and misunderstood, and it seems as if they understand each other.

Prophets should be apostolic, and apostles should be prophetic.

Therefore also the wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute.”

—LUKE 11:49

Pastors maintain the church.

They help people to grow spiritually.

They care for people’s needs.

But without the apostolic, they would probably be content to do things the same way.

Teachers equip the church with truth.

They are very much into the details of scripture and theology.

But without apostles and prophets, they would get stuck in their thinking.

Apostles and prophets challenge teachers to think in new ways and to apply their teaching to solving problems.

Even evangelists can become repetitive.

They love to share the gospel, but they will tell the same testimony over and over for many years.

Apostles and prophets challenge evangelist to try new things.

They help them to break up the hard ground and go into new areas.

Prophet Arise Prophets and Apostles Work Well Together

Prophets and apostles work well together

The apostle breaks and establishes new ground, biblical purpose, and order in enemy territory; and prophets bring fire, passion, and a continual sense of urgency into the faith communities of those entities established by apostles.

The apostle needs the prophet to keep the fire burning in what has been pioneered and established.

Apostles are anointed to bring down the demonic strongholds over regions.

But the prophets are their eyes and hears, telling them what the enemy is doing and what God is wanting to do.

But here it is important for prophets to know their place.

They are giving the information, but it is for the apostle to decide what to do with the information.

And the apostle will do well to listen to the prophets and hear what they are saying.

Apostles Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God’s End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth Chapter 3: Biblical Perspectives of the Ministry of Apostles

The spirit realm recognizes this authority within the apostles who are not just “called to be” but who have matured to the place of wisdom and ministry and have been divinely commissioned to the office of apostle. This is one reason why the demonic spirit world will fight with all they have to keep the apostles from coming forth.

They especially do not want the apostles and prophets, who have a similar commission and much of the same anointing and authority, to be fully restored and joined together in unity. Hell shudders at the very thought of such a thing happening. And they become frantic when they think all fivefold ministers would unite together against the forces of hell.

Apostles and prophets working together make such a great team.

It’s like the military and the intelligence working together.

One gets the information, the other gets the strategy.

One is looking all around, the other is focused on a goal.

One is using the senses, the other is using logic and reason.

Prophet Arise Many Apostolic Leaders Are Married to Prophetic Spouses

Many apostolic leaders are married to prophetic spouses

Apostles and prophets work together. They complement and balance each other. Apostles tend to deal with structure and order, while prophets are more spontaneous. Apostles can become too rigid and need prophets to help them stay flexible and spontaneous. Prophets can be too spontaneous and need the order and structure of the apostle. These ministries can impart into each other and both be more balanced as a result.

Most of you are leaders.

Each of you have one or more of the five-fold leadership gifts.

Many of you also have prophetic gifts.

And some of you already recognize an apostolic gifting operating.

I felt from a very young age that God had called me to be an apostle. But I also knew that one does not become an apostle overnight. I was taught that the five-fold gifts are like the fingers on my hand. Each finger represents a gift. But the thumb is the apostle because he touches each of the others.

I believe that God has allowed me to experience each of the other ministry gifts before releasing me as an apostle so that I would know and be competent in each one. And so that I would also be able to appreciate and encourage each one.

Each of you should grow in and use your gifts.

But pay special attention to and recognize those who are apostles and prophets because they are foundational to the future of the church.

God is restoring apostle and prophets so that the end time church will be pure, holy and effective.

Apostles Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God’s End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth Chapter 1: Why a Book about Apostles?

The whole world will be affected when the apostles and prophets are fully restored. Their supernatural prophetic and apostolic words will signal the rise and fall of many nations and people. They will be instrumental in determining goat and sheep nations so that when Jesus Christ comes He can put the sheep nations on His right and the goat nations on His left.