FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

Likewise the gift of apostle is necessary to establish Churches so they can withstand the wiles of the devil and all the growth pains that come with a growing and thriving living organism. Here are a few other examples of the use of the word establish in association with the gift of apostle.

2 Peter 1:12: “F or this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth .”

Romans 16:25: “ Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began .” 1 Thessalonians 3:2: “ and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith .” Luke 22:32: “ but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren .” [American Standard Version] The apostle gift is needed to establish the Church and the prophet gift is likewise needed to confirm what God has established. In the early Church the apostles and prophets worked together to strengthen the Church, even when they were not personally present with one another. The Greek word that is associated with the gift of prophet is episterizo, which means to support further, reestablish, confirm, to strengthen again. Once the apostle gift establishes the Church the gift of prophet will confirm the word or the work that has been accomplished. I have often experienced the word of a prophet confirming what the Spirit has already spoken. Through word of knowledge, edification, exhortation and comfort the prophet often bring faith and direction which will confirm and help to accomplish what the apostle has established or is establishing. Acts 15:32: “ And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [episterizo] them .” [American Standard Version]

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