TEACHING

Don Atkin

GUIDELINES FOR EMERGING APOSTLES

Because God has chosen to grant me the great privilege of being a spiritual father to several emerging leaders, many of whom are called to be apostles, I offer the following:

I. WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING – Proverbs 24:7a.

Through wisdom (apostles) a house is built, and by understanding (prophets) it is established; by knowledge (teachers) the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant things. – Proverbs 24:3-4. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers. – I Corinthians 12:28.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:5-8.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his (apostolic) works are done in the meekness of wisdom. – James 3:13.

The wisdom that is from above is first (1) pure, then (2) peaceable, (3) gentle, (4) willing to yield, (5) full of mercy and (6) good fruits, (7) without partiality and (8) without hypocrisy. – James 3:17.

Wisdom = the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly (righteous judgment) and following the soundest course of action. – Webster.

II. GOVERNMENT IS THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE – Matthew 6:33.

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James3:18.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. – Isaiah 9:7.

Peace is the by-product of God’s government.

Apostles govern. They serve God and His people as architects, master builders (I Corinthians 3:10), laying the foundation of Christ and His kingdom (government) in the lives of people (Galatians 4:19). Many equippers are to be involved in the process (Ephesians 4:11-16); the apostles govern the process. They are to do so with the heart of the Father, and with an understanding of how spiritual authority differs from Gentile authority. (The Heart of Apostolic Ministry is available for free download at www.DonAtkin.com, click on "Teachings."

Apostles govern themselves. Now may the God of (governmental) peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole (1) spirit, (2) soul, and (3) body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. – I Thessalonians 5:23.

1. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32.

2. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. – Romans 13:1-2.

3. I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. – I Corinthians 9:27.

Apostles govern their households. As bishops (I Peter 5:1), apostles must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?). – I Timothy 3:2-5.

E. Apostles govern their stewardship. Apostles should understand that everyone and everything under their care is a stewardship, that we own nothing.

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. – I Peter 5:2-4.

To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. – Ephesians 4:7.

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. – Acts 4:33-35.

(Parenthetical note: Some are teaching, "giving to get" as a formula for breaking the curse of poverty. Such teachers are often the true benefactors – living high on the widow’s mite. God honors obedience to His leading, not formulas. Faithfully train people to hear and obey God in every area, including their finances. For, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21.)

F. Apostles govern their commitment. For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

To this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now.

\I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you, imitate me. – I Corinthians 4:9-16.

III. FRUIT IS THE PRINCIPAL JOY – II Corinthians 3:1-3

Then God blessed them, and God said unto them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." – Genesis 1:28

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. – Psalm 92:13-15

You are our glory and joy. – I Thessalonians 2:20

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. – III John 4