church world

THUMB APOSTLES An Apostolic pioneer is many a time accused as being a "Jack of all trades but a master at none" He is a Jack of all trades... ...because he is busy making masters out of everyone(especially the other four found in Eph 4:11) that is why He is a master at achieving nothing by and in and for himself. ...because he is busy making others master at what they do for the Kingdom. ...because like the thumb he can touch all the other four leadership gifts,helping them where they are because he was there and continues to function as an all rounder,to borrow a cricketing term. ...because like the Holy Spirit,he is their helper,the one called alongside to help them,Prophetically,Evangelistically,Pastorally and as an Apostolic teacher. 1.Jesus is "The Apostle of Apostles" Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider THE APOSTLE and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2.Apostles are Caught not Taught Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, CALLED to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 1Cr 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the WILL of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not OF men, neither BY man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the COMMANDMENT of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Tts 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of GOD'S ELECT, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 3.The seal of an Apostle 1Cr 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the SEAL of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 4.The signs of an Apostle 2Cr 12:12 Truly the SIGNS of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 5.The Tools of an Apostle 1Ti 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a PREACHER, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a TEACHER of the Gentiles in faith and verity 2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO the WORK of an EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and TEACH ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 6.Apostle to the Gentiles or Jews or... Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle OF THE GENTILES, I magnify mine office: 1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 7.Character Tried and Identity Tested of Apostles Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast TRIED THEM which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Luke 14:27And whosoever doth not bear HIS CROSS, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me A THORN in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Matthew 11:29Take MY YOKE upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 8."Coolie number one" type of Apostles 1Th 2:1-10 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before,and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 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. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 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. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 9.Why called but not chosen as an Apostle? Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, FOR OBEDIENCE to the faith among all nations, for his name: 10.Mantle Transfer from the Apostles Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the APOSTLES' HANDS the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 11.The Apostles financial system Act 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Act 4:35 And laid them down at the APOSTLES' FEET: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 12.The Doctrine of the Apostles Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the APOSTLES' DOCTRINE and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Like the Thumb is the only part of the hand that can touch all the other finger types...so also the Apostle is the only finger that touches all the other fingers of the hand and yet he is not a finger but a Thumb.