How To Identify A True Apostle

HOW TO IDENTIFY A TRUE APOSTLE

There are many in the world right now who claim to be Apostles. It is not for me to say who is and who isn’t, but we can see what the hallmarks of true and false Apostles are from the Scriptures.

I have met men in Third world countries who have no riches and no formal training, who exhibit the love and life of Jesus in all they do. I have also met many men in first world countries who exhibit similar attributes. But alas I have also met some who claim to be very great in Gods kingdom, who walk away with the wealth of the local Church, who live extravagant lives, and who care very little for the sheep.

Last year we had a man in our Church as a guest speaker who didn’t arrive until after the people were seated and singing, and who left before the end of the meeting because he didn’t want to mix with the sheep. This same minister demanded huge offerings. And when asked to pray for individuals pushed them aside.

Last year I also met a man who has a Church of 25,000 people in India. Such humility and love for God’s sheep touched me deeply. This man had 90 full time Pastors and much other fruit, but he still had time to greet and entertain strangers for the sake of the kingdom.

One trusted God totally for provision and saw something big that Glorified Jesus. The other demanded provision and lifted up a ministry. It was easy to see who the true Apostle was.

But so many are following after the flash Harry type. Paul saw the same thing in His day.

2 COR 11 I hope you will be patient with me as I keep on talking like a fool. Please bear with me. 2 I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride* to one husband, Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. 4 You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 5 But I don’t think I am inferior to these “super apostles.” 6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again. 7 Did I do wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not ask you to help me. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me another gift. I have never yet asked you for any support, and I never will. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, I will never stop boasting about this all over Greece.* 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do.12 But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

REVELATION 2: 2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

Apostolic Authority is being restored to the Church. There is a release of the Five fold ministry which is intended to bring maturity to the Body of Christ. It is intended to produce a mature bride. A bride that will reflect the Glory of her bridegroom, not the ministers who train her.

If we search the scriptures we see some things that are hall marks of Apostolic anointing,

1) Has no riches, but pours out all they have for love of the body

2) Appears to be unlovely