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What Does it Mean to be Apostolic in the 21st Century? September 17, 2007 By Numerous Contributors to ninetyandnine.com
It’s the question everyone’s asking without realizing it. There are continuing arguments over the use of TV, heated discussions over what should and shouldn’t happen at Youth Congress, and whether praise choruses are necessary or just a necessary evil, but the throbbing heart of each of these conversations is the same—“What does it mean to be Apostolic in the 21st Century?”
It’s a question worth answering because it’s a question of identity. Whether we like it or not, whether we’ll admit to it or not, the essentials of our Apostolic identity are being reexamined and/or questioned. Part of this is due to widening viewpoints of the different generations, part due to technology, part due to our increased wealth across the board, and part due to social forces wrenching the entire world (to name just four reasons).
So 90&9 thought we’d tackle the question straight-on by contacting numerous people around the world to share their thoughts (in 350 words). Not all replied (though some promise their answer is on the way), but we felt like this was a superior sampling worth starting this most important of conversations.
If you’d like to share your thoughts for publication, then write it out (in 350 words) and send it, along with a bio like the ones below, to editor@ninetyandnine.com.
Not Our Differences, But Our Similarities Norm Paslay II
In the age of change, I am convinced there is a summons of the Spirit to go back to the future. Indeed, the 21st century has, indigenous to its landscape, amazing new venues and issues driven by technology and a truly a-biblical culture; but the Lord issues the same call as He did in the first century.
We must heed the call of that day in our day: “follow the Lord Jesus and be disciples...” The reality of discipleship is a constant in an ever-changing world of easy-believism and relative morality. Discipleship is what Jesus expects and what the church is called to offer. We must not compromise this compelling, all-impacting truth that being a disciple of Jesus Christ represents.
It is still a call to a total submission to the teachings and disciplines that are set forth in the Word of God. The sermon contained in Matthew 5 - 7 is the Constitution of Discipleship. This is a clear outline of the all encompassing reality that a true relationship with Jesus will include. It covers not only a theological tract, but includes relationships, integrity and personal growth.
This life impact will, in fact, retain the distinctives of the Apostolic life that have been a key component to our expression of faith. However, we must be identified by what we are more than by what we do. It is our opportunity to be defined, not by our differences compared to the society we are in, but by the similarities to the teachings of Jesus Christ whose truth transcends time and the changes that come with it.
Never has our message of the New Birth, the reality of repentance (fundamental life change), water baptism in Jesus name (the ability to walk away in newness of life), and the infilling of the Holy Ghost (the enduement with power from on high), been more needed than it is today. We must offer people more than mere conversion; it is necessary that we embrace the biblical truth of transformation.
I pray we never trade events of religious genre for the wonder of the daily process that Jesus offers man, and, in fact, expects of us as we strive to live the reality of being a new creature when we are in Christ Jesus.
Norm Paslay II is the senior pastor of The Calvary Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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My Take: What Does it Mean to be an Apostolic in the 21st Century? By Rachael Hartman
It means embracing the scars of life and loving them for giving you character.
It means looking into the face of a lost soul, seeing their hurt and pain and not running away from it.
It means being a friend to the homosexuals, alcoholics and drug addicts and being talked about because you see more to their life than their sins.
It means giving out food, clothes, and money to people that are in need and even to people that are not in need.
It means being true to yourself and God even in the face of some elders.
It means talking about life, trials and mistakes—even your own—so that others will know they are not alone.
It means smiling when your heart is broken, then finding a place alone with God to cry.
It means forgiving ourselves and each other at the moment of offense. Jesus did not wait to forgive until He had time to process what was happening to Him on the cross. He had to forgive immediately.
It is telling the truth and admitting that we do not know it all.
It is showing more than perfection—it is showing humanity.
It is allowing ourselves to be changed.
It is staying true to our commitments.
It is going out of our way to make a difference in someone’s life.
It is realizing that God can speak to anyone, regardless of their faith background.
It is understanding that people who have not received the Holy Ghost have had spiritual experiences—some of the light, some of the dark—but they are not as clueless as we may think.
It is accepting rejection as a part of life.
It is continually pouring ourselves out, knowing that we cannot make people receive, but we can give.
It is more than speaking in tongues; it is having the fruit of the Spirit evident in our life.
It is building relationships that lead to Jesus Christ.
It is respecting the relationship people already have with God, and building upon it.
It is fasting.
It is reading the Bible.
It is praying to our Friend every day.
Rachael Hartman serves in ministry at Azusa Now UPC, a home missions church located in Bloomingdale, GA.
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Inside Out or Outside In? By TJ Clayton
I believe the real question here is whether or not we can remain Apostolic while adapting to some of the more progressive ideologies present in Christianity today (e.g. post-modern Christianity, progressive worship, integrating art into worship, cultural liberalism). To answer this, we have to define what things are Apostolic. For something to be Apostolic, it can’t be culturally relevant. It must transcend time, cultures, and trends. Therefore, I do not believe that things such as music, dress, styles, preaching methods, or programs can be Apostolic. Those things are all bound by culture no matter how hard that is to admit.
For example, music is eternal. It transcends every culture and every era. However, there is no such thing as right or wrong music styles. There are simply styles we are comfortable with and those with which we are not. If a style of music is viewed as wrong or bad, it’s simply because that style has a history of being used for evil and not because the style is wrong in and of itself (e.g. hip-hop, rap, heavy metal).
What is clear is that Christianity as a whole is moving away from very narrow views on subjects that went unquestioned in the past. We created a culture and called it Apostolic, instead of letting Apostolic principles guide us. TV isn’t the issue. Skirts vs. pants isn’t the issue. No thing is the issue. (In fact, most progressive young people of my generation are embarrassed to admit we are affiliated with an organization arguing over something so stupid.)
The issue is ideology or worldview. The split comes down to this: Do we let Apostolic principles guide our decision making, or do we create cultures and religious systems and call those Apostolic? Does decision-making come from the inside out (conviction) or does it come from the outside in (peer pressure, guilt, shame)? Can we trust each other to live our own lives in relationship with Jesus, and still love each other when our lifestyles don’t match up? That’s the issue.
TJ Clayton is a graduate student pursuing his masters in Psychology. He attends World Harvest Ministries in Charleston, SC
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Avoiding Hell by Guiding Others By Janessa O’Shea
We are a chosen generation, but, to whom much is given, much is required.
I find myself in an interesting situation; a UPCI pastor’s kid immersed in things I learned to eschew over my years of biblical training. I attend a church where most members are Trinitarian, have accepted the Lord, who don’t uphold much of an outward standard of separation*. And yet, in my immersion, I am convicted by the hunger of those with whom I worship—their prayer and study habits often put me to shame. Many Apostolics have not experienced hunger for a long time.
It’s a catch-22. As a result of Spirit and Truth, the presence of the Lord is palpable in our churches. We leave feeling ready to “take on the world”—but we don’t. In fact, we can’t because many of us don’t know how to interact with a non-believer (I don’t choose the word “sinner” because, like King David, I find myself repenting often). We’re so full from our church experience that it keeps us until the next one. We don’t need to hunger for God—we know exactly where to find Him!
The Apostolic movement used to categorize all who were not “one of us” as on their way to hell. Today, I see it differently—these people are on a journey toward God. Now I understand why I am outside of the proverbial “box.” Jesus is drawing these hungry souls to himself. As an Apostolic, I need to be the Peter to their Cornelius, the Aquila/ Priscilla to their Apollos, or the Paul to those of John’s baptism.
As 21st century Apostolics, we must understand that the ones Jesus sent to hell were not the sinners, but those with spiritual pride. To the sinner, He granted forgiveness and extended grace. We are called to return to the mission of the original Apostles. They did not isolate themselves after being filled with the Holy Ghost—rather they went out and fulfilled Jesus’ command to make disciples, and in the process evangelized the then-known world.
We have been given much—are we up for the challenge?
Janessa O’Shea (name has been changed to protect her/his identity) lives and works overseas.
*Note: I do not attend this church in lieu of one of ours. I live in a Communist country where there is only one English-speaking protestant church allowed in my city and that is where you will find me on Sundays.
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Don’t Worry About Inviting Them to Church By Team Elim
We see the formula for being truly Apostolic in two sets of scripture: I Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 2. Those old scholars used the word “charity” instead of love. The love they were trying to convey was a love that was not given waiting for a return. It was a charitable type of love. Jesus loved us regardless of whether or not we love Him. He gave to us, not dependent on our response, but He simply gave—it is there, done—given for us whether we ever pick it up and receive it, apply it or not, Jesus has given to and for us.
Look at Jesus down on all fours, in front of Peter and the rest of them. He’s loving and serving them, all of them, hunched over, lovingly washing the feet of John, then Andrew, now Bartholomew, Thomas, Judas, right down the line He goes. He is indiscriminately loving and serving each one. He loved them all. He loved the sinner, He loved the hypocrite, He loved the rich, whether they were tithe payers or not, He loved the poor and took time out for those that could give nothing back to Him.
Now look at Ephesians chapter 2, and be Apostolic. Be conformed to the “likeness” of Christ. Care more for the needs of your brother than you do of yourself. Serve them; love them. Be an Apostolic to whomever you meet; don’t worry about inviting them to your church. That’s not your calling. It’s not your calling to make everyone conform to your image. We are to show people Jesus, to love them into an understanding of who He is. Now that’s Apostolic!
What did it mean, what does it mean, to be Apostolic? We love, we serve, and we give—without strings: “Here, this is for you . . . let me help you with that . . .no, you don’t have to come to my church . . . no, you don’t even have to agree with me . . . here, here is my gift . . . here is my love—take it, reject it, misuse and abuse it, but it is yours. I love you as Christ loves you.”
We must not allow love and giving to become some tool or trick to be used as some church growth program. It must be, it has to be—in order to be truly Apostolic—it will be . . . just given away.
Team Elim resides and loves from Elim Tabernacle in Milwaukee, WI.
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Living a Bold Love By Vonelle Kelly
New Challenges to Apostolic Pentecostals within the 21st century include:
1. Fragmented families with undesired children by selfish parents; 2. People in search of an identity, including: nationality, ethnicity, and gender; 3. Improved technology with computer-like cell phones that replace televisions.
A myriad of angles could be taken in attempt to answer what it means to be Apostolic Pentecostal in this century and multiple books could be written in an effort to analyze whether we should utilize new mediums in order to fulfill our view of the mission of God’s kingdom.
While we search for a proper definition for our body of believers, we must be cautious of falling prey to maximizing the trivial, lest we lose the essential element that empowers, as well as defines us. It is important to evaluate our methodology and its effectiveness. However, if we are without true love for God and others, we risk casualties of fellow believers in our reassessment process. Our motives to improve efforts for God must be driven by His love, for the express purpose of showing His love to humanity (Matthew 22:37-40).
It comes as no surprise that the “love” chapter (I Corinthians 13) is seated between Paul’s instructions in regard to the placement of each member within the body of Christ and his teaching on the gifts of the Spirit. The Corinthian church struggled to keep spiritual priorities because they desired for their spiritual gifts to be used for self-gratification. Our motives for changing or retaining our methods must be evaluated through the lenses of Christ’s love, for without it we are unable to remove our focus from personal desires. The final result of acting on our desires instead of Christ’s is that we cannot fulfill His purpose to the church or to the world.
Love can be defined as simply as to willingly yield to another. When we love God with all of our heart, soul, and might, it means that we are pleased to allow His will to be done (Deuteronomy 6:5). Love is the element that will cause us to purge spiritual arrogance, search our motives, pray for people, and live according to God’s commandments. Christ said that in showing His love, we have the ultimate proof of discipleship (John 13:34-35). It is the magnetic factor that brought our Creator to the world and in turn, brings us to Him.
The efficacy of God’s love makes us complete in Him, allowing for restoration of our relationship. Without His love, we are left with a void that leads us to vain attempts to fulfill our desires. These attempts result in the challenges above and only lead us further into desperation.
Jesus fulfilled prophecy when He stated that He came to “heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19). His mission can be accomplished by the body of Christ if we love Him with our entirety and share His love to others in a “no strings attached” manner.
Living out the love of God is not a weak trait, for God is defined as love and perfection of our love is evidenced by boldness (I John 4:16-17). As we move forward into the new 21st century, holding fast to our doctrines, may we give to others what has been given to us: the love of God.
A graduate of the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, Vonelle R. Kelly is actively involved in multiple ministries at Calvary Apostolic Church in Denver, CO.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, ninetyandnine and Norman Paslay II, Rachael Hartman, TJ Clayton, Janessa O’Shea, Elim Tabernacle (Milwaukee), Vonelle Kelly
--------- Kent d Curry is an executive editor of ninetyandnine.com, a college and career speaker, and now, a part-time literary blogger.
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