The baptism of the Holy spirit, the gifts of the Holy spirit, the Anointing , tongues, Prophets, Apostles, miracle workers, have become unarguably the most overused, overworked, misunderstood, misinterpreted, contentious terms in the non Pentecostal and in the Non Charismatic arenas, mainly in the fundamental religious circles even because many of these people are mostly still serving self, doing their own thing, looking up to mere man and not God..

Beyond the show of a doubt the devil firstly really hates any references to the Holy sprit, the anointed ones, the idea that Christians do have now empowering to overcome the devil too… and so the devil uses any of his followers, those in the fundamental religious circles too now, to now lie, twist, distort the truths… and they falsely try to say “If you check every single Biblical reference to the Anointing you should notice that .. There is not ONE SINGLE reference to the anointing being a supernatural power given to human by which they are able to perform miracles… There is not ONE SINGLE reference to anyone being able to transmit the anointing by any means, including the laying on of hands… There is not ONE SINGLE reference to getting, keeping, increasing, or losing the anointing.”

Mind you they these liars do have to Tear out the whole Old Testament for a start.. the prophets were clearly anointed, and performed miracles, and the same Jesus yesterday, today and forever who lives in us today too, who was anointed and performed miracles he had also said that believers will do even greater things now too. In the reality now after all Samson next lost his anointing.. and so did King Saul lose his anointing .. and David asked God not to take away his anointing too after he had sinned with Bathsheba.. It’s the frequent and methodical strategy of those people not Holy sprit filled, those walking in the flesh that they bash, recite against anyone who has evidenced the Holy Spirit anoint still too, thus contradictorily opposing these false professors own false, unscriptural doctrine and practice. It’s now a charge of their “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” and their disobedience of “touch not the Lord’s anointed.”

While the Antichrist and False Prophet themselves will possess the credential that they do reputedly perform miracles. While the devil does try to counterfeit the miracles of God, those now done by Moses too, the existence of the devil and his bad works, the counterfeits now still does not nullify the present reality, existence of God genuine gifts, miracles and real prophets, miracles workers, apostles now too. REALITY.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary {and} was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to {and} exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God].

I must say that I am really disappointed these days with even two things, the amplified Bible’s too often distortions of basic Christian Doctrines, and even with some professing Christian denominations, Churches distortions of the basic Christian doctrines even in regard to what the basic ministry of the church now should be today as well.. Beyond a shadow of the doubt the church’s ministry was to the local poor Christians and those abroad too, and that was why the office of the deacon was specifically created, the deacon in the New testament was not a money collector, or the church finance officer, but a social worker who distributed money to the poor people mainly, unlike too often today as well in the churches.. Now looking at what the Bible says,,

Eph 4:11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave, continues still today to give, gifted, equiped men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. 12 His intention was the perfecting {and} the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up ( physically and spiritually now too) Christ’s body (the church), 13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ {and} the completeness found in Him. ( meaning clearly the same works Jesus did we are also to do now too)

1 Pet 5:1 I WARN {and} counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded):

I want to look at the Amplified Bible’s limitation of the definition of the office of Apostles, Prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers

-The Apostle is defined as a messenger, and yet the same description is almost given to the Evangelist too, the difference is the word special is added to the Apostle..

-Similarly prophets and teachers seem to hold similar offices according to the amplified Bible
and if these equipped, gifted, church positions are so similar with would be clearly redundant to have different names for the same offices, God has a reasons to call these offices different cause these persons do, did different things generally too…

-Pastors seem to be rightfully defined as shepherds of the flock… and note this the plural term of shepherds us used, and they rightfully are not defined as an ruling elder, an administrator too.

-Even the office of elders is mis-defined, and is limited to being pastors, and spiritual guides, when we all can know that in the new testament, the apostles, and prophets, were also called elders now.,.. not just the pastors or evangelists, teachers..

- All these gifted persons, Apostles, Prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, now also are existing now these days for the Greek term God gave means actual he continues to give to the church, the tense is continual present and they were mutually, willingly submissive one to another in the church.. unlike too often rather today.

An Apostle, plural gift too, to be fair the definition of a New testament Apostle it today does not totally match the actual functions that the Apostles performed in the New Testament, for they now also were also not just preachers, evangelists, expounders, shepherds, administrators, ruling elders, as the situation required them to be but do note this clearly healing was a part of the ministry, for firstly they also manifested now all the gifts of the Holy spirit. It seems the church these days falsely has lost it’s essential ministry of compassion to the sick and the poor so that is what they seem to discredit the existence of the Apostles, healers too..

Similarly the New testament Evangelists, plural term too, they were also healers, not just preachers, travelling missionaries. Read the Bible for yourself and see this fact, truth.

Ezek 34:4 The diseased {and} weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt {and} crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them.

Matt 4:24 So the report of Him ( Jesus) spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them.

Acts 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

And when was the last time you now even saw a Pastor submissive to the other church elders, rather it seems these day the pastor, often only singularly too, he wrongfully tries to force the elders to be under their submission alone which is clearly a non New Testament approach too.

The other reason we clearly do not see these God equipped persons wrongfully in most churches, is firstly because they now have put the wrong persons in the potions, rather too often unspiritual , unqualified persons in reality and they need to now change this drastically too.

And it is not just these days the Baptist, Plymouth, Brethren, Mennonites, Lutheran, others who have it all wrong but even many Pentecostal churches. I was in the local Pentecostal church, Pentecostal assembly of Canada church too, and they wrongfully firstly did no home visitations at all for a start. Yes they care about compulsory tithing for the support of the pastor, church, it seems… but how can you be a pastor shepherd and not know the state of the flock, not be with them in their homes. What Kind of shepherd now would leave his flock alone in the field to fend themselves alone against the wolves, lions, bears, etc., while he stayed at home in the house being an administrator, preacher, teacher rather a “Hireling” now only? and he did not look after the sick, poor, and did not pray for them in their homes to be healed like the apostles, elders often did in the new testament church did That would be ridiculous too you would rightfully say too. Sure to say a false face they offer to pray for the sick in the church, and when the sick person was not healed, they had falsely blamed the sick person as being the guilty culprit for the sickness, and the reasons now, next them not being cured, due to their own sinfulness.. what hypocrites the church elders here are too for firstly while we are all sinners, Jesus and the apostle healed any sinner now as well. Which clearly they still cannot do and wrongfully do not determine why they cannot do. In their behavior they are not any better than managers of a secular corporations, and how they treat their employees.. and is nothing Christian here rather.

God still only expects all of the church elders now too to be willing to serve the poor, the sick and needy, and he by his holy spirit will equip the church elders into that role even today. But if you are unwilling, have the role as a self serving option it is no wonder God rightfully does not equip them too often theses days too.

I was really still surprised to note how many pastors are often fired from their jobs, for God still does fire bad pastors even these days, rightfully too.

Prov 27:23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations? { the false pursuit especially for pastors, elders of riches, that can disappear in a moment, is vanity firstly too, and you can be your employment terminated, you dismissed from your job for doing so too now} 25 When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountain are gathered in, 26 The lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats [will furnish you] the price of a field. 27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maids.

Ezek 14:7 For anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who separates himself from Me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity {and} guilt before his face, and [yet] comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of Me, I the Lord will answer him Myself!

Ezek 20:38 And I will purge out {and} separate from among you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they temporarily dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you shall know, understand, {and} realize that I am the Lord.

Jer 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen, equipped instrument], and before you were born I separated {and} set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Jer 15:19 Therefore thus says the Lord If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet {and} safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [also cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God's truth], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you–not you to [the people].

On false prophets

(Mat 7:15 KJV) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(Mat 10:16 KJV) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

(Acts 20:29 KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

(2 Tim 4:1 KJV) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

(Prov 28:13) He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

(Prov 28:14) Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

Some persons do preach, write out of their guilty, to compensate for the related emptiness they are feeling, while others write because they are ambitious, they write out of seeking fame, their seeking a place of prominence.. I tend to be very conservative in my writings, I tend not to readily write unless I am really sure that I am inspired by the Holy Sprit, and I can always be prompted, reminded, inspired to write something if God wants me to do so..

Too many persons here too are wrongfully these days adding or taking away from the word of God, the Bible and that is why there is so much disputes, different contradictory wrings in the Churches also these days.. of course this happens cause there will be always the wolves now amongst us as well, those followers of the devil who want to destroy the word of God too.

As far as I am concerned a Women can be a Church Pastor if she has God or her husband’s permission.. and even the vice president of the United States, or a President. We can use more Women like her now in Canadian Politics for it has been too clearly evident that the men have not being doing a good enough job or we would not be having so many minority governments, and useless elections in Canada.

In the Old Testament Miriam was a prophetess (Exodus 15:20) as was Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) and Noadiah (Neh. 6:14). Prophetesses from God spoke with authority and was ordained by God that they did so. But, most pertinent to the topic at hand is Deborah who was a judge in Israel (Judges 4:4-5). Deborah exercised governmental power over the nation of Israel. She was most definitely in a place of authority over men in government and there is no condemnation of her being a judge found anywhere in scripture.

But, some might ask if Deborah was in a place of authority in Israel, why can’t a woman be in a place of authority in the church?

(1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6). Also, 1 Tim. 2:11-12 says, “Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.”

(Mat 7:15 KJV) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(Mat 10:16 KJV) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

(Acts 20:29 KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

(Prov 28:13) He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

(Prov 28:14) Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

(Rom 16:7 KJV) Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Imagine that Junia is a woman, and is proclaimed to be an additional apostle as well…

Well anyway there was a women Apostle, Junia, note worthy too amongst the Apostles, and she had a place of authority.. an apostle is a Missionary.. women can be missionaries on the foreign mission field.. but not in a local church? it all sounded confusing once to me too.

According to my reading of the scriptures the term Pastor is always plural, not singular, meaning there are too be many pastors in any local church, and pastors have to submit to the gifted elders, who are the apostles- missionaries and prophets- appointed by God as his spokesman – the NT Greek verb is continually present- meaning God continues to give these men ( or women – such as Julia note worthy amongst the apostles) unto the church now as well , but most pastors tend to deny the existence of these God ordained, given offices even today, even cause they themselves are rebels who wrongfully refuse to submit to other’s and submission is mutual- meaning reciprocal.. and also note this it is still voluntarily, unenforceable..

"The word apostle in the Greek is apostollos or “one sent forth” as an ambassador of the Gospel. An apostle is a minister sent directly by God to do a specific work. A number of the saints of God and even Jesus himself were called apostles in the New Testament.

This will come as a shock to many of you, but there is no such thing as “offices” in the New Testament when it refers to these ministry gifts. The so-called “five fold ministries” more accurately describe functions in the body of Christ than positions. Men love titles and offices, but that is the way of fallen man (see 1 Sam. 8:6-7). The only time the word “office” is used in the original Greek New Testament is referring to Matthew, who sat at the office of tax collector (see Matt. 9:9). Matthew did not trade an office in the Roman government for another political position in the church.

Now let us see what the Bible says about the ministry of apostle.

Jesus is called an Apostle

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 3:1, NKJV).

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3, NKJV).

The calling of the original twelve

Jesus called his inner circle of twelve disciples together and sent them out. After that they are called “apostles.”

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out. (Matthew 10:1-5a, NKJV).

Peter felt Judas Iscariot should be replaced, and he gave a list of qualifications to be one of the twelve.

20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:20-26, NKJV).

Jesus appointed twelve men at first to be the apostles

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.” (Matthew 10:1-5, NKJV).

Later the Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabus and sent them forth as apostles

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:1-4, NKJV).

Paul also saw Jesus and was commissioned by Him

. . .and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:5-10, NKJV).

So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:11-16, NKJV).

Many others are also named as Apostles in the New Testament

Silas and Timothy

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. . .Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:6, KJV).

Barnabus

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. (Acts 14:4, KJV)

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, (Acts 14:14, KJV).

Andronicus and Junia

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7, KJV).

Titus and two unnamed brothers (messengers=apostolos)

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers [Greek - apostelos] of the churches, and the glory of Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:23, KJV).

With these examples in mind it seems that the hard requirements laid down by Peter while they were waiting for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost were out of order. Some of these others did not all fit the bill, “these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us.”

Like Paul, an apostle is called out by God to minister to a certain group of people. This call is not of men, but for enlarging of God’s kingdom, whether man acknowledges the calling or not.

How Shall We Identify an Apostle?

A.) An Apostle is identified by his spiritual authority.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12, KJV).

B.) An apostle is called by God, not men.

6 But from those who seemed to be something–whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man–for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.
7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter
8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),
9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Galatians 2:6-9, NKJV)

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1, KJV).

Missionaries

The word missionary has the same root in Greek as apostle; both mean one sent forth. Today’s missionary is only a true apostle if he has been sent specifically by God, and if this apostolic authority is operating in his ministry.

In the Old Testament, Abraham, Joseph (the patriarch) and Moses played the role of apostles. They were set apart, chosen, and sent out to accomplish a specific task that built up and called out God’s chosen people.

In these later days there were Praying John Hyde to India; Hudson Taylor to China; John G. Lake to South Africa and many others. There have also been women sent forth. One example I have met is Jackie Pullinger Tu, who God called at 18 to leave England and minister to the drug addicts, prostitutes and gang members in the old walled city in Hong Kong.

There are various signs and attributes of an apostle

A.) They are taught by God

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians1:11-12, KJV).

B.) They minister in the power of God, not the wisdom of men

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1Thessalonians 1:5, KJV).

20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20, KJV).

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1Corinthians 2:1-5, KJV).

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20, KJV).

C.) Their fruit manifests the living God

1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3, KJV).

D.) They lead by Christ’s example

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7, KJV).

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you… (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, KJV).

E.) They please God, not men

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4, KJV).

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10, KJV).

F.) They don’t flatter men

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: (1 Thessalonians 2:5, KJV)

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17, KJV).

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2, KJV).

G.) They are gentle with the saints

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: (1Thessalonians 2:7, KJV).

H.) They are often self-supporting (a lack of funding from others does not deter them from their mission)

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9, KJV).

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-10, KJV).

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:33-34, KJV).

17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? (2 Corinthians 12:17-18, KJV).

I.) They are holy, righteous, and blameless

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: (1Thessalonians 2:10, KJV).

J.) They exhort, comfort, and chasten as necessary

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged [chastened or scourged] every one of you, as a father doth his children, (1Thessalonians 2:11, KJV).

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:5-8 and 11, KJV).

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5, KJV).

K.) Their glory is the glorious church

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, KJV).

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:14, KJV)

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1, KJV).

L.) They endure hardship and persecution for the church’s sake

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13, KJV).
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13, NKJV).

23 Are they ministers of Christ? –I speak as a fool–I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness–
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. (2 Corinthians 11:23-31, NKJV).

How long will there be apostles?

Ephesians 4:11-16 describes the house in its perfection with Christ as its head.

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ–
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16, NKJV).

Note verse 12 says Jesus gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry.” They are to perfect the saints to do the work, not do it all themselves! Those who operate in these gifts are always working for the maturation of the saints so that the saints can do the work of the ministry. Verse 16 says the whole body is to be fitly joined together. This joining supplies its needs as each member does his part to edify the body in love. The supply comes from the joining of the saints as they minister to one another in the Spirit, not by them sitting in a pew while one man does it all.

Don’t let anyone tell you apostles and prophets died off with the twelve of the early Church. Because apostles and prophets are ministers who do not draw attention to themselves, they often don’t protest this teaching, but the Bible does. These five ministries will continue to prosper until “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 fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13, KJV). This verse is far from fulfilled now, but as men and women rise up to their callings in Christ and in the power of His Spirit, it will come to pass.

Upon Which Foundation?

There is only ONE Foundation upon which the Church of Jesus Christ is built. It is Jesus Christ, not mere men. Did I hear you say, “Yes, but how about Ephesians 2:20?”

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (Ephesians 2:20, NKJV).

The foundation of the church is laid by the apostles and prophets and only in that since is it “their” foundation. Consider these other verses that speak of the True Foundation.

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 3:10,11, NKJV).

Note that Paul said HE “laid the foundation,” not “I am the foundation.”

Consider this Messianic passage out of Isaiah,

16 So, the Lord Jehovah says this: Behold, I place in Zion a Stone for a foundation, a tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone, a sure Foundation; he who believes shall not hurry. (Isaiah 28:16, GLT).

Notice here that the same One that is the Stone in Zion is the Tried Stone, the Precious Cornerstone is also the Sure Foundation.

One thing further. Wherever you find the false apostolic at work, you will find men begging for money.

“And every apostle who cometh among you, let him be received as the Lord; but he shall not remain more than one day; if, however, there be need, then the next day; but if he remain three days, he is a false prophet. But when the apostle departeth, let him take nothing except bread enough till he lodge again; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.” (”The Didache” also called “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,” chapter eleven, [circa 100 A. D.]).

True apostles depend on God and support themselves where necessary, and will not ask the church to support them or their ministry.

Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.(2 Corinthians 12:14,15, NKJV).

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13, NKJV).

Dear saints of God, we must ask the Lord to purify our minds and hearts so that we can see the scriptures for what they say and quit reading them through the traditions of men that make the commandments of God of no effect (see Matthew 15:6)."

http://truedsicernment.com/2008/06/28/charisma-magazine-declares-lakeland-a-legitimate-move-of-god/

Has God called pastors to be CEOs of religious organizations, or has he called men to be spiritual leaders over the churches of Christ? Neither… the elders run the church, and pastors are just one of the many church elders..

We also need to be reminded that all abusers should go straight to jail.. even the bad posters, bad pastors, bad christians now too.

I also had thought that Christian women also were not allowed to have short hair cuts, and what do husbands allow it in the church now too? A variety of more fundamental Christian religions discourage short hair on women, some congregations prohibit hair cuts beyond a trim for women. It tends to vary congregation to congregation; as opposed to being an aspect of a particular denomination. I know the belief is based on passages in the old testament, likely the those that indicate that women should not try to look like men. These denominations also tend to prohibit pants on women, jewelry beyond a watch and wedding band, make-up, etc. Are they extremists or legalists too?

I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. 6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.
11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. I Corinthians 11:3-6

1 Cor. 11:2-16 – essentially, women should cover their heads in church, and men should not. Some interpret this as being a thing of long vs. short hair.

1 Peter 3:3 – women shouldn’t put too much emphasis on outer beauty, like braiding their hair.

One of the most popular views today is that the head covering was actually the woman’s hair. The exegesis of the text that adopts this view keys in on verse 15. “…but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” It is quite plain.

It reveals that the early generation of believers understood the head covering to be a cloth veil—not long hair. As Tertullian quoted in an earlier post indicated, even the women who did not wish to follow Paul’s teaching were not claiming that Paul was talking about long hair. Rather, they simply wore a small cloth in minimal obedience to his teaching.

Numbers 6:1-21 – Nazarite vow – the Nazarite shaves his head at the beginning of the vow, and then cannot cut his hair for the duration of the vow. The character Samson (as in Samson and Delilah) was a Nazarite. in Numbers 6: 5,6, and 13 we read, “All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. All the days that he separateth himself unto the lord he shall come at no dead body. and this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

or was it men not being allowed to have long hair? I Corinthians 11:14 says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”

We need God to tell us the truth.. not too often false men...

About also the Bad Unacceptable theology Dispensationalism