What is Ministry?
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 17to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
(Gal 1:15-16) 11
And He Himself gave some
to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.(Eph 4:11-16)
As a matter of fact, every ministry should be started by the call from God and not out of any need from self or flesh. This need to be discerned by the guidance of His Spirit. And when God calls, it is for "the equipping of the saints" and towards "the unity of the faith"! These are determining factors to see if a call is from God or self! When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will work through us to glorify His Name!
What is an Apostolic Ministry?
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
38Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
40And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:37-47)
The word apostle means "one who is send out"- a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel. Jesus is the chief Apostle being the Son who came from Heaven to earth! (Heb 3:1) Apostolic Ministry is charcterised by observation of Apostle's doctrine, manifest presence of God through signs & wonders, fellowshiping in Unity and compassion for the needy.
An Apostolic Ministry originates when God Himself calls someone to work for Him! Some say the time of Apostolic ministry is over. But I have to testify that it is not over and there are several Apostolic ministries in this world today with the vision of Church without Walls. The following are the work that has been given to me.
Active Ministries :
- Persecuted Christians around the world
- International Christian Fellowship - ICFN
- Testifying about God and His plan
- Ministry of Reconciliation
- Helping the unprivileged - Help for the Poor & the Refugees
- Spiritual Support
- Standing for Truth - Exposing Frauds/Deceits