Gave Gifts Unto Men: How to Identify Your Gift Mix
By Pastor Delbert Young
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
Worksheet
The apostle will
___________________________________________________.
I. THE APOSTLE IS OUTWARDLY RECOGNIZED BY
A. The apostle is outwardly recognized by an ability (anointing) to
____________________ God’s people.
B. The apostle will be very
___________________________________________________.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
The apostle will be equipped with a
____________________________________ always founded in the _________________________.
Beginning churches are _____________________________________________ to the apostle.
C. The passion of the apostle is to
________________________________________________________________________________
to people who have not heard their message.
II. THE GREEK
A. The Greek word apostolos (apostle) means a
_______________________________________________________________________________.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
B. Apostles are extremely interested in getting things correct at the
___________________________________________ level
III. ABILITIES
A. The apostle will be strongly
________________________________________________ in more than one gift-ability.
B. The anointing upon the apostle to heal the sick and cast out devils is connected to and accompanies
__________________________________________________________________ by Jesus to deliver.
The best time to draw signs and wonders from the apostle is when the apostle is
_____________________________________________________________.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
C. The apostle is anointed to
__________________________________________________________ for the work of the kingdom.
D. Extraordinary things happened when the apostles
_______________________________________________________________.
IV. ALONE WITH THE LORD
The apostle will have a desire to
___________________________________________________________________________
at some point early in the apostle’s calling and walk with the Lord.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
V. SLAIN, PERSECUTED, AND SPECTACLES
However, the apostle also has a guarantee to
___________________________________________________________________________.
VI. APOSTOLIC MISCONCEPTION
It seems we have an image of apostles being nearly
________________________________________________.
VII. FALSE APOSTLES
A. The scriptures warn us about
________________________________________________________________.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
B. One good thing about knowing there are false apostles is the warning proves there are also
______________________________________________________.
False
1. ________________________________ nothing
2. Strange doctrine(s) with _____________________________of apostolic truth.
3. …a passion for preaching for
_______________________________
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
4. …inclined to say,
__________________________________
5. …come and go with __________________________ with no true eternal impact on the people
6. The false apostle will have ____________________________ with the Lord
7. …false apostle who will have experienced ___________________ _____________________ persecution
C
True
1. …there must be people the person is responsible for _______________________________
2. Message must __________________ with the apostle’s doctrine
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
3. …have a ___________________ to take their message to people who have not heard it
4. …will be extremely
__________________________
5. …always give an ______________________ to people
6. …spent much _________________________ with the Lord
7. …true apostle will have experienced _________________________
because of their message
Testing a person claiming to be an apostle:
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
VIII. THE GOAL OF THE APOSTLE
The goal of the apostle and every ministry gift is to _______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established
1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Galatians 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
The apostle will establish God’s people.
This is accomplished in several ways.
One method is for the apostle to impart spiritual gifts.
He will impart his gifts and make sure that other gifts are available to the people. Note that Paul said, “I long to see you .” The apostle’s heart longs to see people and help them become established.
The apostle will also establish people by bringing ministry to them and helping set leadership in the church.
These will be ministries he or she has raised and knows if possible.
The apostle will also rehearse the truths the people already know and then add the present truth.
The Lord is constantly speaking to his church. We will always have the same Bible but continuously see new and present truth. An apostle will hear truth from the Lord, which will become the apostle’s message.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
Every apostle does not preach the same message or emphasize the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For example, the Apostle Paul had a message for the Gentiles, while the Apostle Peter had a message for the Jews.
Obviously, first, there must be people the person is responsible for establishing.
The false apostle will have established nothing.
Next, the message must align with the apostle’s doctrine.
The false apostle will have a strange doctrine with bits and pieces of apostolic truth.
Do they have a passion to take their message to people who have not heard it?
The false apostle will have a passion for preaching for money.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
The true apostle will be extremely foundational.
They are very intent on establishing proper foundational beliefs in people. The false apostle will be inclined to say, “Don’t rock the boat.”
The true apostle will always give an impartation to the people.
The false apostle will come and go with no impact on the people.
The true apostle will have spent much quality time with the Lord. This will be obvious in his or her sharing.
The false apostle will have spent little time with the Lord. This, too, will be obvious in sharing in the lack of revelation.
Finally, the true apostle will have experienced serious persecution because of the message, while the false apostle will have experienced self-inflicted persecution.
The apostle is a gift from the Lord Jesus to the church. It is a vital gift for perfecting the saints for the ministry. No other gift is so desirous of establishing people in Jesus at the foundational level.
The Apostle Gifting: How to Empower Believers
VIII. THE GOAL OF AN APOSTLE
The goal of every ministry gift is to bring the saints to a place of working for the ministry. This will build the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-12 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:
How does an apostle accomplish this? Remembering that an apostle longs to establish people in Christ (Rom 1:11) gives us some direction. Perhaps we can provide some thoughts.
Those recognized with an apostolic gifting and anointing are not functioning apostles until they establish saints (people).
A list of people who need to be established in the foundational area may be compiled. These would be the people that those with the gift of the apostle could help. A foundation class based upon Hebrews 6:1-2 might be initiated to develop a strong foundation in those saints.
Another possibility would be for those with the apostolic anointing to visit the homes of those needing help.
Some who may not attend class might enjoy a home visit, during which the Bible could be opened in a more private setting and foundational material discussed.
We must remember that new Believers will not understand Bible books, chapters, and verses. They could become intimidated. The purpose is to establish and not intimidate.
At some point early in the development process, the saint needs to take an evaluation such as the one given in this teaching.
The saint should begin understanding his or her gift as soon as possible. There is no need for today’s saint to be puzzled concerning their gift mix.
The teaching should be designed to bring impartation.
This is what Paul said he longed to do. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Rom 1:11). The teaching should bring an impartation which should bring an activation or establishment. The activation is the saint doing the work of the ministry, which is the final goal of each gift. When the saint begins moving in the work of the ministry, the body is edified. At this point, those with the apostolic anointing have successfully established the saints.
Scripture Work Sheet
The apostle will establish God’s people.
What does “established” mean? It’s the Greek word sterizo pronounced stay-rid’-zo and meaning (1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix; (2) to strengthen, make firm; (3) to render constant, confirm, one’s mind.
When the apostle is present, there is a stabilizing presence. Things are set firm, and incorrect things are fixed. People are strengthened. Unstable situations calm down as everything becomes constant.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established
We see this establishing accomplished in several ways.
One method is the apostle will impart spiritual gifts. The apostle imparts the gifts he has and makes sure other gifts are made available to the Lord’s people. Note Paul said, I long to see you… The apostle’s heart does long to see people and help them become established.
The apostle will also establish people by bringing or sending gifted ministry to them. The apostle will help set leadership in the church.
1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
The apostle will also rehearse the truths the people already know and then add present truth or precept upon precept (Isa 28:10). The Lord constantly speaks to His church. We will always have the same scriptures. However, we will also constantly see new (fresh) and present truth.
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
The apostle will hear the truth from the Lord. This truth will become the apostle’s message. Every apostle does not preach the same message or emphasis of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, the Apostle Paul preached a message for the Gentiles while the Apostle Peter preached a message for the Jews.
Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
We have all the gifts, including the apostle, until the church comes to the measure and fullness of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…
Ephesians 4:13 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 fulness of Christ:
Apostles are strongly gifted in more than one of the five-fold giftings.
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
The apostle is anointed to explain the need for and then receive tremendous offerings for the kingdom.
Acts 4:34-35 …brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet…
The apostle will have a desire to be alone with the Lord early in the person’s walk with the Lord. This will also happen from time to time during the ministry. It is during these times the person, usually unknowingly, receives their message.
Mark 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
The apostle, though greatly gifted, is guaranteed persecution and to be made a spectacle.
1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
The Lord told the church at Ephesus that he knew they had tested those who said they were apostles but were not apostles. We should learn more about that test.
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
I. OUTWARDLY RECOGNIZED BY
A. The apostle is outwardly recognized by an ability (anointing) to establish God’s people.
The apostle Paul did more than begin churches. Paul established people, and the people became churches (Act 16:5). The apostle said to the Romans, For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Rom 1:11). The apostles made people solid and strong in the basics of the Lord God. They helped people become strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10). Apostles desire people to become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
The seal of apostleship is establishing people in the Lord. Paul said to the Corinthians, If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord (1Co 9:2).
There are five means by which the apostle will establish people in the Lord.
1. The apostle will impart some spiritual gifts (Rom 1:11).
2. The apostle will make certain true ministry comes to the people (1Th 3:2).
3. Apostles will set leadership within a church (Act 14:23).
4. Apostles will rehearse truth, putting the people in remembrance of foundational truth (2Pe 1:12).
5. The apostles will also establish people in present truth (2Pe 1:12).
Apostolic ministries today are identical to this. The longing desire of the apostle is to establish God’s people.
B. The apostle is very doctrine oriented (Act 2:42).
They must always align and stay steadfast in the doctrine of the apostles, and they expect others to do the same. It frustrates the apostle when they hear or read incorrect scriptural doctrine.
The apostle will be equipped with a specific message always founded in the Scriptures. The message will always be the message of the gospel, but often it will be a message with a different emphasis from other apostles. The message of an apostle becomes obvious (Gal 2:7). It’s is the message that specific apostle emphasizes. They have been equipped in their message before being sent out (Mar 6:7-30; Luk 9:1-2). After being equipped,, the apostle cannot help but talk and teach the message God gave them.
It is even possible that sometimes one apostle will not fully understand what another apostle teaches. We are told by Peter himself how he did not understand all Paul said (2Pe 3:16). It did not make what Paul said incorrect. It simply shows us Paul had his message, and Peter had his message.
The apostle today is a specialist in an aspect of the gospel. Apostles have been given insight into a particular part of the message of the gospel.
C. The passion of the apostle is to take the message given him by the Lord to people who have not heard their message.
They desire to establish their message in the people. This point is all important to the apostle, and they will find someone they can share it with. They will talk about the message day and night with churches, home groups, or begin a church in order to preach the message. Paul would go all over the known world to preach his message to the Gentiles. The message given is a part of the entire mystery of Christ and must be preached to obtain the whole (Eph 3:4, 5).
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Philip, the evangelist, went to Samaria experiencing tremendous success. There were many salvations and water baptisms, but something was missing from Philip’s message. The Samaritans were not receiving the Holy Ghost. Obviously, receiving of the Holy Ghost was not Philip’s message. However, receiving the Holy Ghost was Peter’s message. Peter and John went to Samaria and established the people in receiving the Holy Ghost (Act 8:15-17). Peter preached “This is that…” on the day of Pentecost (Act 2:16). He would later preach it to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house (Act 10). The point is Peter’s message was receiving the Holy Spirit. Philips message was salvation and water baptism.
Beginning churches are not primary to the apostle. Churches will begin when the people are established. Perhaps you have heard the mark of an apostle is to begin churches. The apostles we know of in the scriptures did not seem interested in beginning churches as we think. However, they were determined to establish people. Actually, as far as the Scriptures teaches, only the Apostle Paul actually began churches. Nevertheless, all the apostles established people.
When given enough information, we can see the message of any apostle.
As already noted, Paul had a message for the Gentiles or those of the uncircumcision (Rom 11:13). Peter had a message for the Jews, or circumcision (Gal 2:7, 8). Matthew’s message was Jesus fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies and thus was Israel’s Messiah establishing the promised kingdom (Mat 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17, 23; 4:14; 5:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:9, 35). John’s message was love, and God is love. God’s love is displayed through His son Jesus Christ (Joh 5:42; 10:17; 13:34-35; 14:23; 15:9; 1Jn 3:1; 4:8 etc.).
The message of James was action, not words. James preached about works, not a dead faith. Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (Jam 2:18). The message of Jude was a warning about heresies (Jud 1:4, 8, 10-13, 16).
When an individual has a unique understanding of an aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the person is most likely apostolic in his or her gift. Our next section will help us to understand this point.
II. THE GREEK
A. The Greek word translated “apostle” is apostolos. The Greek word apostolos (apostle) means a messenger, one sent forth with orders. We complicate this gift by making it nearly supernatural and mystical. The apostle is the person who is given a message he or she feels compelled to establish in the body of Christ. The person is a messenger sent forth with orders to preach a message to anyone who will listen.
The word apostle does not speak only of the twelve disciples who became apostles. Jesus was the apostle (Heb 3:1). Therefore the word apostle cannot only mean the twelve men who followed Jesus for three years. Matthias was selected to replace Judas as an apostle (Acts 1:26). Of course, Paul became an apostle. Barnabas also became an apostle (Act 14:4). Andronicus and Junia were apostles (Rom 16:7). James, the Lord’s brother, was an apostle (Gal 1:19). Silvanus and Timotheus also were apostles (1Th 1:1; 2:6).
B. We are told in Ephesians how Christ gave gifts (Eph 4:8). Those gifts were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11). The passage goes on to give us some extremely essential information by telling us how long all these gifts will be available to the body of Christ. We will have this necessary apostolic gift until the church comes into the fullness of Jesus Christ (Eph 4:13). Seeing how the church is not there yet, we evidently have apostles available today. Apostles have always been, and continue to be, very necessary in the church structure (1Co 12:28; Eph 2:20).
Apostles are extremely interested in getting things correct at the foundational level (Eph 2:20) as the passage teaches we are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets. If the Lord continues to build his church, then we continue to have apostles.
III. ABILITIES
A. The apostle will be strongly gifted in more than one gift-ability. Our Lord Jesus, of course, was the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Paul said he was a preacher, apostle, and teacher (1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 1:11). Everyone is gifted in one primary gift and has other gifts in their gift mix. However, the apostle will usually have very strong anointings in several of the five gifts. When the apostle moves into their other gifts, those gifts may seem to be the apostle’s primary gift.
Some of the abilities we are told the apostles had were power over unclean spirits (Mar 6:7) and the anointing to cast out devils (Mar 6:13). They healed the sick anointing them with oil (Mar 6:13). They had the ability to cure diseases (Luk 9:1), and of course, they were anointed to preach repentance (Mar 6:12) and the kingdom of God (Luk 9:2).
B. The anointing upon the apostle to heal the sick and cast out devils is connected to and accompanies preaching the message they were given by Jesus to deliver. Mark 6:12-13 says, And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. First, they preached the message they were sent to preach. Then they cast out devils and healed the sick.
Luke 9:1-2 says, Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. They had power and authority over devils but were to first preach the kingdom of God. After they preached the message, they were to heal the sick. The signs and wonders did not follow the man, but rather the message.
Matthew 10:7 says, And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. We begin to see a constant. When the message of the apostle was received, healing and deliverance were available. When the message was not received, the apostle was instructed to shake the dust from their feet. Luke 9:5 says, And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
Acts 4:33 says, And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Grace is not the same as mercy. Grace is the gift we are given (Rom 12:3, 6). Great giftings were upon the apostles as they preached their message of the resurrection.
Notice a direct connection between the message being given and signs and wonders following the reception of the message. The best time to draw signs and wonders from the apostle is when the apostle is delivering the apostle’s message.
Other studies that might interest you:
The Teacher Gifting: How to Make Scripture Come Alive
Third Anointing Heart Of David Study audio
Dealing With False Teachers Audio
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