5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Twenty

APOSTOLIC TEAMS

I n the New Testament all members of the body of Christ are associated with apostles at some level, all gift ministries were teamed with apostles in some fashion, and at some point all elders were appointed by apostles. This relationship was especially true with prophets and apostles. This makes sense and is necessary, as it is apostles and prophets who lay the foundation for the church. Ephesians 2:20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fi tt ed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” The foundational example for the prophet and apostle teaming up was John the Baptizer and Jesus the Messiah. John came heralding the coming of the Kingdom, warning the people to prepare, and identifying the Lamb of God. Jesus said the law and the prophets were until John and that He, Jesus, had come to ful fi l the Law and the Prophets. Luke 16:16 "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” As the ministry of Jesus increased, John’s ministry decreased in proportion (John 3:30), yet they certainly were connected in ways other than family relationship. One prepared the way for the coming Lord and the other transferred us into the Kingdom by the presence of the king. Jesus chose for himself twelve whom he ordained as apostles. Whom He mentored, discipled, anointed, and prepared to pass on His ministry to after He was resurrected and ascended. Mark 3:14 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (ESV) Ma tt hew 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to ful fi ll.”

Jesus only ordained apostles and through them the other ministries

were ordained that functioned in the early church.

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