Steve Fatow offers insightful comments about the ministry of a modern day apostle.

Steve Fatow has been conducting evangelistic and healing crusades in Latin America for over 30 years. He has gained the trust of pastors and ministers in nearly every country in Central and South America.

Along with others, Steve Fatow founded Trinity College of Ministry. Trinity College of Ministry is the product of a long running desire in the hearts of the pastors at Trinity Chapel. For years, in many different forms and in various locations, systematic teaching has been implemented for the purpose of equipping members for the work of the ministry. Now, with the completion of a new facility on a forty-seven acre campus, the vision has taken shape. Faculty and staff were assembled and classes began in May of 2002.

To discover more about this man and his ministry, click here. I thank God the ministry of the apostle continues today.

I learned to relate to apostles the hard way. Personal agony and church crisis sparked my in-depth study of the New Testament. Local Churches Global Apostles contains case studies of every local church in the NT, reveals all 25 NT apostles mentioned, and describes the variety of local church and apostle relationships. Ground-breaking research and surprising conclusions offer fresh perspectives on apostles and elucidate why the early church exploded with growth. Targeted to pastors and church leaders, the book is a brilliant resource for all who yearn to grasp Biblical roots, unleash the Spirit-power of God’s people, and build vibrant churches today.

Journey to authenticity with Sonny Misar

Sonny Misar is a treasure trove of apostolic and pastoral wisdom. His teachings regarding “surrender” and “brokenness” deftly tie puzzling pieces of life together for believers.

What is the Role of Apostles in Current Culture?

Role of Apostles in Current Culture

The Church is the pillar and support of the truth in society. If the church compromises, culture degenerates, which describes the current state of crisis in the Western World. When the church stands strong, culture is positively affected.

Apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church, not only historically, but in every generation. The living Christ Jesus serves as Chief Cornerstone of the foundation of the church; apostles and prophets function as human leaders of the church in every age.

Essentially, as apostles lead, so goes the church. And as is the church goes, so goes society. The role of apostles is pivotal for our day. To understand more about apostolic ministry, come to Local Churches Global Apostles.

Let’s apply these concepts to modern day society and the current marriage crisis in view of the Supreme Court decision.

What does God say about marriage in the Bible?

Human marriage is a graphic illustration of the mysterious union of Christ (the Bridegroom) and His church (the bride). When anyone looks at a Christian marriage, he should sense Christ’s love for His people. He should also glimpse the wife’s respect for her husband that leads to the same kind of obedience that is the hallmark of the church’s relationship with Christ Jesus.

Wow! Do people see that in my own marriage? Probably not. No one yet that I know of has seen my marriage, fallen on his knees, and converted his life to Christ! But at the least, he should marvel and admire the dynamic that builds a long and happy marriage relationship.

What does the Bible say about homosexual behavior?  First, let’s note “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him” (John 3:17).

When I speak about homosexual behavior, I speak with grief and love, My wife and I invited a lesbian in need into our home. During her two month stay with us we cared for her, prayed with her, and gave her Christian love and nurture. At the end, she was freed from nearly twenty years of homosexual bondage and has continued in righteous living to this day. Do we hate homosexuals? No, and we have the goods to prove it.

What does the Bible say about homosexual behavior?

Romans 1:18-32 speaks with clarity. I quote only one sentence from that section. “And just as they did not see fit to knowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper . . . ” Romans 1:28).

Then again we find “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these engaged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7).

What is the role of apostles in the current marriage crisis?

Multiphasic, of course. Still, a critical role of apostles is to strengthen marriages. All leaders, especially apostles and prophets, need to have their own great marriage and lead the churches with whom they have a relationship to develop beautiful marriages. The role of apostles is to equip church members to be salt and light in their communities and nowhere is this more needed than in the matter of marriage. For some, though not everyone, the role of apostles is to lead deliverance ministries to see people with unwanted same sex attraction liberated.

The role of apostles and prophets is high and necessary. Thankfully, God gives grace to fulfill the demands of the office.

In one sense, the rise of a righteous society depends on the role of apostles. So we cry, “Rise up, O men of God!” and “Apostles, come forth!”

Should Modern Day Apostles Use the Title “Apostle?”

Should modern day apostles use the title “apostle?” (Note: The graphic to the left is attributed to apostolic-community-living)
The question is controversial. Some genuine modern day apostles use it, others refuse it. Some think the title apostle should never be applied to 21st century ministers, others bandy it about as commonplace. Let’s attempt some clarity in the matter.

First off, we can all agree that function supersedes title. We’ve all seen the danger and disgrace when someone assumes a title or position when he has nothing to back it up. We’ve also seen the beauty and humility of one who functions in a capacity, yet eschews the honors that could go with it.

Should modern day apostles use the title “apostle?” Let’s look at the pros and cons of both sides of the question.

The Cons: Should Modern Day Apostles Use the Title “Apostle?”

Anyone who claims or accepts the title of apostle will be be subject to higher expectations. Pastor James (who performed the role of an apostle but never adopted the title for himself) warns, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment (James 3:1). If the warning holds for teachers, how much more for apostles!

Here’s another drawback. Anyone who claims the title of apostle today will be tossed into controversy. Some well-meaning and knowledgeable people don’t even believe in modern day apostles!  Saint Paul was forced to spend unusual amounts of time defending his claim to be an apostle.

A third “con” is perhaps most important. No one should use the title of apostle until he’s proven in that ministry. If God has in fact called a minister as an apostle, he may well use the concept in prayer to God, but woe to the man who uses the title before his time.

Some Pros: Should Modern Day Apostles use the Title “Apostle?”

Use of the term is Biblical and common occurring about 85 times in the New Testament. No one can deny St Paul used the term prolifically and applied it to himself.

Another Pro. Use of the title can help define a man and his role in the church. Napoleon said, “A man becomes the clothes he wears,” and dressed his army well. Think of the New York Yankees dressed in pinstripes. They defined themselves as “elite” and went out to win pennants. In much the same way, a minister needs to see himself doing what he’s called to do.

A title can (if used rightly) help others to relate to a minister in his God-anointed gifting. For example, a man who functions as an evangelist and wears the tile appropriately may receive more open doors to minister. He doesn’t need to hide his gifts and calling. For some apostles, it may be similar.

Obviously, there’s more to the question. Come to Local Churches Global Apostles for eye-opening insights many scholars have overlooked. What do you think? Should modern day apostles use the title  “apostle?”
Use the comment box to weigh in.

 

Editors’s note: Let’s think large. Global Church Planting Sunday can aid world wide evangelism. We can be a part.   

Global Church Planting Sunday

The Need

Did you know there are hundreds of millions of people who do not have a Christian church within reasonable traveling distance of their homes? There are thousands of unreached people groups who do not have a Bible or a single local church. Since 1970, the number of Christians worldwide has increased by one billion, an increase of 83 percent. Yet the number of new churches has increased by only 19 percent. Without a church, new Christians do not have a good way to fully experience new life in Christ, and many will drift away from God.

What is Global Church Planting Sunday?

Global Church Planting Sunday is a special service on the second Sunday in February every year, when churches around the world come together to celebrate and to focus on planting more churches. In 2015, Global Church Planting Sunday will take place on February 8. All churches can participate, regardless of size, denomination, or location, and all of the necessary materials are available for download, free of charge.

– See more at: http://churchplantingsunday.com/about#sthash.VFoNMVoa.dpuf