A Relational Discussion Forum Dedicated to Apostles

Are they Apostles?

How do you know that people who claim to be apostles are Apostles?

One thing that Jesus taught us is to judge ministries by their fruit (Matt 7:20). I have learned the hard way that He was not speaking of fruit of gifting but fruit of the spirit. I have been abused and confused by men and women with true supernatural gifts operating. There was good fruit directly from the ministry, but bad fruit from the minister. Wherever and whenever possible I have learned to be a fruit inspector and look for the fruit of the spirit in the life of any minister. This includes the apostolic ministry. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Gal 5:22, 23.

Another aspect of Jesus’ teachings is that true ministries will set the benchmark for false, fallen or immature ministries (Matt 7:15-17). Scripturally it was True prophets that warned of the false prophets (Lam 2:14, Ezek 22:28; Matt 7:15). True apostles likewise warned of the false apostles (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Cor 11:13). Without the true ministries functioning and serving as an example and a model we can not know the false any more than we can know counterfeit money without having a familiarity with real money as the type or pattern to judge the false. By having the authentic ministries to teach the equip the people of God what is genuine and what is counterfeit the people will not be tricked by deceitful ministries. The apostle Paul spent time teaching the elders in the Church of Ephesus what were the marks of a true apostle and warned them of what was to come (Acts 20:27-31). When the false apostles came, the leaders were able to judge that they were false and save the people from hurt and the church from destructive behavior.

To the Church in Ephesus:

Rev 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.”

Lloyd C. Phillips, Director
The Fellow Laborers' International Network (FLInt Net)
P.O. Box 113 Missoula, MT 59806
Phone (406) 251- 5730
impact@flintnet.org
http://www.flintnet.org