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Chapter 4: The Apostolic Calling - Called from the Womb
For those of us who are Apostolic the Lord will confirm our Calling with Signs
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Given that I have mentioned that the Lord has given me signs to confirm my ministry and who I am in Him I wanted to share the following Scriptures regarding the Apostolic Calling and signs.
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,(AMIV)
If we look at Paul's life who was set apart even before he was born - then we know that the Lord calls someone to be an Apostle even before he or she is born. Someone can't just decide that they want to be an Apostle - it is a gift from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:7-11). And, those of us who are called to the apostolic - we are to lead a life worthy of our apostolic calling (Ephesians 4:12).
Ephesians 4:7-11 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 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, (NKJV)
The apostle is one that is born with an awareness of God's presence in their life. Psalm 22
And, even though I didn't have the full knowledge of God - or understand - I always had an awareness of God's presence in my life. And, it was His presence in my life that drew me near to Him - I had an intense desire to know Him. There was always an overwhelming sense of want - wanting to know Him - and to know His will for my life.
And, when facing persecution and trials - it was as King David said - "As the deer longs for streams of water - so my soul longed for God. Psalm 42:1 And, it is because of His ever presence in my life that I can comfort myself.
Even in my heart as a child I hungered to know who He was. The apostle is one that is born with an awareness of God and searches after God with all that is in him because they are someone who is after God's own heart. And, the Lord will confirm someone's apostolic calling with visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1
Sometimes like Paul we are Forced to Defend our Ministry
In 2 Corinthians 10-12 Paul wants to avoid being drawn into a comparison of himself and other teachers,
And for that reason, like Paul, I will come to the Visions and Revelations that the Lord has given me - as they confirm my calling.
2 Corinthians 12:1 1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. (HCSB)
2 Corinthians 12:1 1
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will
reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. (NLT) Boasting is not good, but in defense of my ministry, like Paul, it is necessary for me to boast about the visions and signs the Lord has given as they are the signs of an apostle.
2 Corinthians 12:12 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (KJV)
An apostle can be liken to the prophets of the Old Testament who heard from the Lord - who received instruction directly from the Lord.
I can understand how Paul must have felt knowing that there were members within the very church that Paul had built who now wanted to destroy what he had spent years on building. And, like Paul, at times we too may find ourselves being bold - even being sharp with people. "Sharpness" is neither sin nor pride.
2 Corinthians 13:10 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
Spiritual Warfare: Paul is declaring all-out war with victory for the truth as the only possible outcome.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 Paul talks about the "Pulling down of Stronghold" and "Casting down imagination or arguments. (Queen of Heave; the sale of our house)
2 Corinthians 10:13-15: Paul's opponents boasted of their great authority, but they were out of line. They were boasting about the field of labor that God has assigned Paul.
2 Corinthians 10:12-18 12 For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area ⌊of ministry⌋ that God has assigned to us, ⌊which⌋ reaches even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We are not bragging beyond measure about other people’s labors. But we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area ⌊of ministry⌋ will be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you, not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area ⌊of ministry⌋. 17 So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends. (HCSB)
Our Sufferings: 2 Corinthians 11:23-25
2 Corinthians 11:23 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
2 Corinthians 11:29-30: Like Paul, I have been Faithful even though at times it has been difficult. And, this too is a mark of a true apostle.
The Lord has given me signs to confirm my ministry:
Romans 15:19-20 19 Through mighty signs
and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and
round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1-4 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
In the two books that I am posting online I'm including several examples of visions and words from the Lord that came to pass "after" they were documented confirm my Apostlic calling.
The following documentation confirms my Apostolic calling:
Junia the Woman Apostle in the Church at Rome
According to Romans 16:7 Paul reveals that Junia, who was his kinsman and fellow prisoner, was highly respected and outstanding among the Apostles.
Romans 16:7 7 Salute Andronicus and
Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the
apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (KJV) In Biblical times Junia was a common Greek name for women. So we know that when Paul was referring to Junia he was referring to a woman. On the other hand, if Paul was referring to a male he would have used the masculine form of Junia which is Junianus.
And, just as the male apostles, like the Apostle Paul and Andronicus were persecuted and imprisoned, Apostle women like Junia who Paul tells us was outstanding among the apostles, were also persecuted and imprisoned |