The Apostle

Israel Onoriobe

The term “apostle” comes from the Greek word “apostolos” which simply means a sent one, a delegate, an ambassador of Christ and His Kingdom. An apostle is an emissary. In the New Testament, this word “apostles” described those sent out by the Lord to preach the gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 10:1-3).

The restoration of the apostolic ministry is hindered by dispensational doctrine that negates the ministry of the apostles and prophets. During the dispensation, after the first century or so, very little is heard of the ministry of the apostles and prophets, and most of what is seen are pastors, teachers and evangelists. The Church was taught that apostles and prophets were not for today as they all died along with the early Church in the book of Acts, therefore as the ability to recognize a true apostolic or prophetic ministry was gradually lost, leaders in the church were given other names such as the institutional Bishops and Reverend. Consequently the Church experienced apostasy during which the power of God, together with a clear revelation of His purposes and the ministry gifts was also lost. Although not always functioning in the reality of their calling, apostles have however always been in the Church through the past moves, but the lack of understanding and acceptance of the apostolic and prophetic giftings within the Body of Christ have brought ignorance of the identity of these ministries, causing their office and function to be restricted.

There are different kinds of apostles revealed in scripture:

The Apostles of the Lamb – These were the twelve men the Lord Jesus selected to carry out the work of the gospel with Him. There will not be any more of these. They are unique and were appointed during the earthly ministry of Jesus. They are the eternal foundation ministry of the Church and the only apostles of the Lamb.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14).

The Ascension Apostles – These apostles were appointed after the ascension of the Lord Jesus and operate to this day. The Lord is still appointing them. Apart from the twelve apostles of the Lamb, all apostles mentioned now and in scripture are ascension apostles.

1. Paul (Ephesians 1:1)
2. Barnabas (Acts 14:14)
3. Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25)
4. Andronicus and Junius (Romans 16:7)
5. Others were noted by association such as Timothy and Titus.

“Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers [word used in the Greek is “apostolos”] of the churches, and the glory of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 8:23 brackets mine).

Every believer has a measure of an apostolic grace and commission in their life, but this does not make everyone an apostle. Jesus declared, “As the Father has sent (apostello) me, so I send you” (John 20:21). This makes every believer apostolic in nature, but not in calling.

Apostles are not officials of the church congregation, but they are officials of Christ by whom the Church is built. An apostle is an emissary who initiates or first advocates a great reform. They are pioneers. It is not primarily a governmental position of being first as in hierarchy, which is the popular understanding being proclaimed and taught by many, and which is causing much confusion and division in the Body of Christ in this season of apostolic reformation. The ranking of the five-fold ministry gifts in series, is a doctrine and pattern that has been instituted or derived from church denominational system of a ruling body of clergy, organized into ranks or arranged in a graded series. This is the order and pattern of men and not of God.

The five-fold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelist according to Ephesians 4:11 is an “order of ministry” and not an “order of government”. The order of government for the Church is 1 Corinthians 12:28 and there is a distinct differences between Ephesians 4:11 in terms of functions.

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28).

The Ephesians 4:11 ministry gifts is not giving by God to play governmental positions, but it is an order of service or ministry to the Body, as a gift to serve and be used by the Church to mature the saints, but out of this ministry gifts there are some men who are going to be graced to function in governmental positions who will play the role of 1 Corinthians 12:28. Not all apostles, prophets or teachers are called into governmental positions, but all are given as gifts to the Church to be used by the Church to walk into the fullness of the stature and knowledge of Christ.

“God has set some”, not all. First apostles! The teaching concepts that God have made the apostles the headship of the Church is a wrong and false doctrine. All apostles should have the grace and impartation to lay foundation in the Church, but not all apostles become the first in “headship” if we may use this term. Apostles are first in terms of being in the forefront of establishing and setting foundation before others, and not in position. To lay foundation is the first part of every building effort and process, and because an apostle has a primary function to do this, it makes them first to initiate the building of the Church. The apostles have been set by God as the first to establish the Church in foundational doctrines that gives the Church an apostolic expression, dimension and pattern. To lay foundation in the local assembly is done by the presbytery that consists of both the apostles and prophets. Not by apostles only. Both ministries should be recognized in this part of foundation laying, as that is their job description.

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Apostles are not called to control and have dominion over the Church, but to bless the Church and to have dominion over the enemy. The apostolic movement is not given by God to lord over the people, but to free them so that they can have an expression of liberty towards God. The position and place of apostles is not a hierarchal position of pre-eminence and supremacy. They are not the greatest even though the scripture points them out as first! This means to first establish a work while others are to follow. The idea of superiority and dominance is a witchcraft doctrine and crafty mentality of developing a religious kingdom cult of self and pride that brings control over the Church.

Any of the five-fold ministry gifts of God can and should administer the Church. Nowhere is it written in the scriptures that a pastor is the head of the Church or that the apostle is the head of the Church. Jesus is the head of the Church. The order of God’s pattern is that when a Church is planted by a pastor, an evangelist or a teacher, there must be the establishment of basic foundation which is done by the apostles and prophets mutually. This means that foundational ministries must be employed, which consist of apostles and prophets, because both are delegated by God as a twin foundational builder. When this is done, the other ministry gifts (pastor, evangelist or teacher) can continue the administration of that Church, building upon the foundation and apostolic doctrine that has been laid by the apostles and prophets with plurality of elders or what is known as the apostolic presbytery. A careful study of the Book of Acts will prove that other ministry gifts had oversight over the Church, but there was an input of apostles and prophets that came on a constant basis to spend time with the young congregations so they could be built up and established in apostolic and prophetic foundations through the apostles’ doctrine which is the teachings of Christ according to the four gospels.

Teachings to make the apostle the headship of the Church is an attempt to bring domination, lordship and control over other works that are planted and being run by faithful pastors, teachers and evangelists. The understanding from the scripture is that there must be a plural eldership and leadership over a Church that consists of the complete five-fold ministry gifts. Nowhere in the early Church record will you find a Church that was run by an apostle, pastor or an elder as a singular leader, it was a plural eldership. This brings into play the apostolic council and presbytery that was networking towards the purposes of God in establishing the Kingdom.

The word “first” comes from the Greek word “proton” which means in time, place, and order or before, at the beginning or chiefly. This means they are catalysts and pioneers who as a rule, first step into a place to initiate and establish the order of God, and to declare the revelation and purposes of God.  Apostles and prophets are relevant spiritual engineers and master builders who can build and erect on primordial patterns and principles for Kingdom establishment.

Some apostolic leaders in this present apostolic reformation may reject this or it may be difficult for them to receive as it may conflict with their interpretation and understanding of 1 Corinthians 12:28. But to say the apostle is the headship of the Church and first in rank among the other ministries is to say they are not equal in gradation or position of dignity and eminence.

Jesus is the head of His Church – The apostles have not been given any hierarchal position of headship over the Lord’s Church. Jesus is still carrying the headship of His Church as the Chief Apostle. The apostolic is not a new hierarchical structure of ministry or just about government; it is a revelation of the knowledge of God to reveal Christ in the earth. The apostolic mindset should be one of servant-hood and unassuming nature that flows from a Spirit of love and care, motivated to see others serving the purposes of God in the Church.

“…..Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the Body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ.…” (Ephesians 5:23:24).

No gift makes anyone more important than the others. We are equal in Christ. The five-fold ministry gifts are equal in Christ and their standing with God, but there is a distinction of the grace due to their function. That makes the apostles first as pioneers in the work, but not in controlling the others or in position of ranking, though there must be submission and recognition in the work and the grace in the ministry in order to function effectively and corporately as a squad. Being a pioneer does not make us higher in rank. We cannot confuse ourselves by saying we are equal, yet we rank ourselves and our office in the Body of Christ. We must not go beyond the limit and overstep the spheres that have been set in place in the order of God. The importance of the work of the apostle must be clearly recognized in giving place for them to pioneer and navigate to establish the set orders and foundation, so we can all build upon that which is being laid accurately in an apostolic order. It is like the building process of a house. The foundation builders, the carpenters, the electricians, the painters are all needed to complete the house; but the painter, the electrician or the carpenter cannot take the blue print and begin his work first as a matter of priority, but the foundation builders must first lay the foundation, and the structures must be set in place before the others can begin their work, until the house comes to a finishing point. This is exactly what 1 Corinthians 12:28 is about. The apostles are foundational builders who must first do their work before the others come in. This is why the scripture says they are first. The apostles are not a different kind of people, or those above and beyond the other ministry gifts in the Body of Christ. Neither is their calling meant to elevate them to a higher position of hierarchy, honor and reverence than the others. They are very much a part of the greater Body of Christ and they are servants to the entire Body.

We do not need three ministries (apostle, prophet and teachers) to establish the divine order and purpose of God, but all five-fold ministry gifts must operate in order to establish God’s purpose and plan in the earth. They are all important and necessary to perfect the saints in fulfilling the great apostolic commission of the Church.

Church leaders must highly and extremely evaluate the systems and patterns we have held or are holding so dearly, and begin to courageously face the truth and admit that there have been lies and false doctrines that lay within our own lack of knowledge. We need a change as we put aside every outmoded and obsolete way and tradition of men!

The Church cannot function apostolically without the full release and matured functioning of the apostles. An apostle is not one who simply plants churches, but the primary function of the apostle, as well as other five-fold ministry gifts, is to plant the colony of heaven on earth. This is why they are also called ascension gifts. This is far larger than just planting new churches. It encompasses this, but has more to do with the increase and establishment of the Kingdom of God in the Church and in the earth.

“And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.” (Isaiah 51:16).

The hand represents the five-fold ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and teacher. God has placed His word in the mouth of these ministry gifts in order to plant the heavens in the earth.

Every apostle carries a unique word and has a specific mandate. The call determines the revelation. The apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles while Apostle Peter was sent to the Jews. Paul’s revelation was so unique that he could describe it as ‘my gospel’.

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12).

“But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:” (Galatians 2:7-8).

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;” (Galatians 1:15-16a).

The Apostolic Ministry and Function

Israel Onoriobe

Apostles are ones with a distinct call and ministry gift within the body. The specific function of apostolic ministry is to implement the prophetic order and mandate given by God to the Church.

Besides other constituent that characterizes an apostolic Church, there must be the walking in the apostolic doctrine and in true unity of fellowship, as these are basic foundational philosophies and principles of an apostolic Church. An apostolic Church must reflect Acts 2:41-47.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Jesus is the model apostle sent (apostolos) by God. He is a prototype. He is both a perfect example and a sending agent of all apostles.

Any apostolic ministry that does not reflect the true ministry, nature and work of Jesus is counterfeit. Fabricated ministries that are not sent cannot impact and achieve the purposes of God because they are fallacious and fictitious. We must relegate and avoid every deceptive ministry. Do not extend the right hand of fellowship to any works of unrighteousness but expose these through an authentic ministry of Jesus Christ.

An apostle lays foundation in the Church. They are foundational ministries along with the prophets. They lay foundational principles of faith in accordance with the doctrine of Christ (apostles’ doctrine).

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

An apostle brings order to the Church and corrects problems. An apostle does not leave things as they are, but sets things in order and ordains leadership. The absence of real order in the Church today is traceable to the lack of apostolic presence and apostolic authority. One of the reasons why we need apostles is because the Church is out of order, and the apostolic ministry is mandated to set things in order.

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” (Titus 1:5).

Some of the present structures of authority and appointments in the Church are illegitimate because they are derived from positions or democratic votes rather than by relationship.

There is lack of legitimate fathers who are apostles. There is much rebellion and disorder in the Body of Christ today because leaders are appointed by the vote of the congregation. The system has become a democratic thing. However the Kingdom of God does not operate a democratic system of government; it is a theocratic government which is never based on the principles and opinions of the people, but on the ultimate decision of God.

Church is not about us and our needs. It is about God. We must return back to true apostolic pattern and order of God in setting leadership in place. God’s Kingdom and Church does not operate a democratic system of government where the vote of the people is the final decision of our response to God’s leadership. The vote of the people is not the vote of God! God by His own sovereignty sets in place His choice of a man. He does not need our approval or vote to do this. He chooses whomsoever He wills, even the outcast and rejects, and He makes them trophies of His grace. All denomination patterns must return to an apostolic system. Our voting rights must be relinquished, because the moment we vote ‘in’, we can as well vote ‘out’. Apostolic pattern of setting in of leaders does not give one the privilege of making him what he wants to be.

Leaders are designed to be set in and ordained by apostles and prophets. When they are appointed by apostolic order, the same apostolic team can come and bring correction and set things in order just as Paul did in Corinth and in Galatia. His correction was not based on position, but as a father to a family.

An apostle imparts gifts and strengthens the churches. Apostolic fathers strengthen churches just as the natural father strengthens families. These spiritual fathers establish and impart to the Church by the laying on of hands. Apostolic ministry benefits individual believers and the Church.

“And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” (Acts 15:41)

In the Greek the word “confirming” is translated “episterizo”, which means to strengthen or re-establish. Each of the five-fold ministries imparts a particular dimension to the Church. Through receipt of this impartation, believers in the Body are strengthened, re-established and built up in the authority of Christ to function as fully activated saints in the Kingdom. The apostolic ministry must be beneficial to the individual believers in the Church, lest we lose the whole purpose of the restoration process of these ministry gifts.

 “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;” (Romans 1:11).

“As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9).

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:” (Galatians 1:6).

An apostle has a passionate love and care for the Church. The present state of the Church compels the true apostles to seek God’s will and intent for the Church. A heart of love and a desire for the Church to mature accomplishes this selflessly.

“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28).

The mark of a true apostle includes patience, signs and the working of miracles. Paul describes the signs of a true apostle: “The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance (Patience).” (2 Corinthians 12:12 – NIV brackets mine).

Patience is one of the hallmarks of a true apostle. This character is an inward quality that is tested in the furnace of trials and persecution. It is important to note that as an apostle one is bound to face much persecution and suffering. Great perseverance determines an apostle’s authenticity.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted (to face tribulation) and put to death (be killed), and you will be hated by all nations on account of His name.” (Matthew 24:9 brackets mine).

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).

“We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. We carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. We are alive, but for Jesus we are always in danger of death so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die.” (2 Corinthians 4:9-11 New Century Version).

“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;” (2 Corinthians 1:5-9).

All ministry gifts have the ability to hear from God and receive revelations from God, but there are levels and limitations due to their particular call and function, but this does not make any of them greater than the other. The apostles and prophets have a unique grace and access to “certain revelations” that others cannot have because of their function as this makes them foundational ministries. Their call and function enables access to specific revelations and mysteries that help characterize and define them in regards to what the Lord has called them to do.

As one of the key apostles, Peter had a primary calling to the Jews and became a foundational builder in the early church as he preached circumcision. Paul was called to minister to the gentiles and had a revelation of circumcision being unnecessary. These apostles of the Lord Jesus had different functions and different revelation.

It is important to note that every apostle must have a specific assignment to where they are sent as this greatly determines their release of revelation and authority. This also authenticates the mark of true apostleship. Revelation and authority for a specific assignment mark true apostleship. Apostles might travel to other places to teach, train, and release new workers and ordain new leadership with an apostolic commission. They will not be confined to one place, one location, one denomination or group. Emerging apostolic leaders and the five-fold ministry must be identified, trained and released in each Church.

An apostle alone cannot build and mature the Church of Jesus Christ; neither does the other five-fold ministry gifts do this individually. It takes all five ministry gifts to equally impart their grace to its completeness for the Church to grow and walk in the fullness of God.

An apostle has the heart of a father. God bestows grace upon the apostle to raise sons. Apostles, like a father, will guide, correct and protect God’s people as his sons and will minister with patience, power and love.

Note that women can become apostles. God is not a respecter of persons, but of faith. This applies to all gifts and functions in the Body of Christ. Men and women are co-heirs and are equal in the inheritance of God. The apostolic ministry was never released to be gender-biased.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

The ultimate ministry of the apostle is to represent Christ until He is formed in the Church.

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Galatians 4:19).

“….for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 4:15b)

The present apostolic reformation is not optional, but it is an essential and indispensable move and restoration that is needed and required in the Church today. Apostles are a unique and distinctive ministry that is very requisite and central in this present season to raise up the true Church along with the other ministry gifts, so that we will begin to walk in the GLORY!

Author Profile

Israel Onoriobe

Israel Onoriobe is the Founder and International Administrator of the World Vision Crusade Outreach Ministries (WVCOM International), an apostolic Kingdom reformation ministry charged with the mandate of ‘Declaring the Gospel of the Kingdom, Unveiling the Purposes of God & Impacting the Nations’.

Brother Israel Onoriobe operates in the revelatory gifts, especially in the words of prophecy and prophetic preaching, with the grace of an apostolic ministry and a prophetic unction upon his life. Brother Israel travels extensively around the nations of the different continents ministering the message of the Kingdom and declaring the purposes of God in releasing the Body of Christ into a greater maturity and Christ-like stature. He has ministered in over 25 nations. 

Brother Israel is presently based in Cape Town/Uitenhage, South Africa with his wife, Miliswa and their daughter, Destiny Owam from where they oversee the work of the ministry into the nations.

World Vision Crusade Outreach Ministries
84 Tize Street
Kwanobuhle Uitenhage
Port Elizabeth, 6242.
South Africa.

Telephone : International + 27.82.2289180 | Website: wvcom-international.org

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