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

Yet James was known to have been closely involved in the establishing of the Church in Jerusalem and, by delegation, perhaps others. This means that James, as an apostle with the seal of an established Church, is also an example which we may use today to distinguish a functioning apostolic ministry from one which might be a functioning ministry, but perhaps not that of an apostle. To clarify, believers and ministers plant Churches and apostles establish Churches, this is the biblical standard and pattern. This pattern, again, is summed biblically by Apollos planted, Paul established, and it is the Holy Spirit who worked in all to accomplish the will of the Father. (Acts 18:24- 19:1ff). Understanding what the true biblical standard for the seal of apostleship is will help keep us from error, and hopefully release the Lord's true apostolic anointing to a greater extent. ENDNOTES: 23 “Not all of the early Apostles were Church planters. For example, there is no record of the Apostle James doing any Church planting. Therefore, not all modern-day Apostles will be evangelistic or plant Churches. However, almost every book written on Apostles lists Church planting as a mandatory function of Apostles. These books are in error. The Bible only records the Apostles Paul, Peter, and John planting Churches.” From Apostolic Team Values, Copyright © 2004 Dr. James C. Boswell

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