Introduction to the Ministry Gifts and Calling

Common Misconceptions

1. The manifestation of gifts of the Holy Spirit like prophecy, healing or miracles automatically means a person is called into the leadership ministries. In Acts 9:10-19, Ananias was neither a prophet or an apostle but the Lord gave him a message to baptize and commission apostle Paul. In today’s definition what title will Ananias be called?

Acts 9:10–19 (ESV)

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

2. Apostles are those who perform extraordinary miracles and plant churches. what of Philip? Acts 8:4-13

Acts 8:4–13 ESV

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

3. Apostles are the thumb. They rule and have authority over all other ministry gifts. What of Evangelist Billy Graham who became a grandfather of many pastors and ministers including national Presidents?

1 Corinthians 4:9–13 ESV

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

4. Ministers graduate or evolve from teacher or pastor to prophet and apostle

5. Once you are called you are an apostle. No. the day Paul was called is not the day he became an apostle. Acts 7 to Acts 13. Gal 1:11-24

Galatians 1:11–24 ESV

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

Paul stepped into the apostolic ministry when the Holy Spirit said separate me Barnabas and Saul. Ist missionary journey, he was deputy leaders under Barnabas. It takes fifteen to twenty years to specialize in ministry. You can start ministering the first day you are called but you are not yet qualified to step into the office. Those who are called should remain in general ministry untill the Holy Spirit commissions them for the full ministry. The ministry is not in the gifts but in the supernatural formation. You have to become. You are called to become.

6. ASOP trains prophetic ministers. We do not ordain anyone prophet upon graduation. We ordain prophetic ministers.

7. true five fold ministers particularly apostles and prophets are few. Body ministry through the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the model of the Bible. Then the deacons and elders/bishops ovrsee the local church. That in itself is enough to sustain a church. However, miinstry gifts are specilized gifts for the equipping of the saints fi the work of the mininstry. We are quick in calling people pastors, prophets etc when they are just general ministers.

8. five fold are lords over the church - Jesus came to serve, not lords over God’s heritage, 1 cor 1: 3

9. There is no formular or mold or template for five fold to fit. Example ‘how to identify an apostle” must perform miracles, must plant churches etc or a prophet is one who prophesies and performs miracles. Someone could do all these without being called. Henceforth I call yo my friends… As father sent me … Someone could be called and not fit those parameters. eg. OT prophets were of different forms - fire signs and wonders like Elijah and Elisha, teaching like Isaiah, suffering like Jeremiah, strange like Hosea, governmental leader like Joseph and Daniel, Also, 12 apostles — Mathias, Nathaniel,

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