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The Real Proof of Being Apostolic November 26, 2007 By Martin Schmaltz
Apostolic means being sent as the representative of Jesus Christ to reveal His kingdom. The definition of being “sent” includes four components, the fourth being the completion or manifestation of the duty is proof of the sending. This truth was even stated by Jesus Himself: “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent [apostello] me” (John 5:36). Jesus was saying, “The works I am doing proves that I have been sent.”
In Mark 6, this process of sending is revealed as Jesus begins to send out the disciples. Beginning at verse seven, Jesus calls the 12 and commissions them. His instructions include an empowering, preparation and mode of operation. Then they were sent out. These disciples had watched Jesus perform the miraculous. Now He has authorized and sent them to do the same. Can you imagine the excitement in their lives? They have been chosen by the Lord to go and act as His representative—to do what Jesus had been doing. Wow!
As Then, So Now Fast forward about two millennia to 2007, the modern church era. We have been given the same commission as His first disciples. Jesus emphatically states that all power has been given to Him. Following this statement, He commissions the first church to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). This is our commission for today. To accomplish this mission we are told that:
Such a place of privilege—we have been chosen to be His representatives. Yet how do we prove to the world we are sent?
Let’s return to Mark 6. After the disciples had been called, empowered, and instructed, they went. The fourth component of being apostello, or sent, is the completion or manifestation of the duty as proof of the sending—“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught” (Mark 6:30).
Now this is significant; in Mark 6:7 He called the 12 and sent them. It was in Mark 6:30, after they had completed or manifested their duty, that they are called apostles! It was when they went and did what they were empowered to do that they became apostles. In their obedience to the sending, they were not just called apostles as a title of position—they were being apostolic.
It’s Not Just Your Church The same applies to the modern church today. The proof of being apostolic is not in our structure or doctrine alone. It is if we are obeying the One who has sent us. This means we must go and do what we have been sent to do, which is preaching and demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Many years ago, I read an article about a talk show host who interviewed some professional bodybuilders. In the conversation, the host asked: “What do you do with all those muscles?” One of the bodybuilders responded by striking a particular pose. The talk show host responded, “No, I mean what do you do with all those muscles?” To which the bodybuilder changed to a different pose. This time the host repeated, “You do not understand, What do you do with all those muscles?” The bodybuilder struck yet another pose.
There is application of this story to the church today. We talk about who we are in Christ or what He wants to do with us. We speak of the authority or power that is available in the life of a believer. There is talk of the restoration of the ascension gift ministries. You can attend workshops and seminars on how to operate in spiritual gifts, authority, or power. Yet the question needs to be asked of us: “What are we doing with all this authority?” In other words, are we going and doing what we are sent to do?
The proof of being Apostolic is in doing what we are sent to do.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Martin Schmaltz
--------- Martin Schmaltz has pastored for 10+ years, first in Missouri and currently in Albany, Ga. He is the author of Apostolic Authority, Every Believer's Privilege. His most creative times are experienced while working from his Starbucks "office."
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