An Apostolic/Prophetic Ministry

“Wherefore He saith, When he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave Gifts unto men.  (Now that He ascended, what is but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)  "And He gave some, Apostles; and some Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:8-12) 

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST himself being the Chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)  

"Now you are the body of Christ and members in particular.  And GOD hath set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that miracles, then gfits of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (I Corinthians 12:27-28)

We are an international and itinerant ministry, and local church sent into all the world to preach the Kingdom of God, preach the gospel and share the love of Jesus Christ.  With its foundation in the infallible and unchangeable Word of God, we endeavor to see changes in the lives of individuals, families and ministries in the local church and around the world.  We seek to make disciples and serve the born-again by teaching them the importance of God being “first” in their lives and loving and serving God as most important.  We emphasize teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gifts to the Chuch from Jesus Christ, the dynamics of "biblical" spiritual warfare, exposing demonic influences and our victory over them through Christ Jesus. 

Through our Apostolic and Prophetic call we are commissioned to helping the local church understand it's rightful order that it may have a positive impact within its immediate family and the earth.  Our mission of equipping the saints for the work of God's ministry includes providing and facilitating teaching and training in the Word of God, prayer, intercession, "Biblical" spiritual warfare, deliverance, gifts of the Holy Spirit, evangelism, praise and worship, Prophetic and Apostolic ministry, calling forth those called to the Five-Fold Ministry (Ephesians 4:11) and preparing others for leadership.  We are covenanted to God to admonish, correct, rebuke and teach with all authority given by God and His written Holy Word, without compromise or corruption.

The Apostles, Prophet and other leadership of the "Royal Priesthood" Family are available to serve others without charge in these capacities as the Lord sends. We desire to affect growth, proper development, healing, restoration, and to inspire and encourage wherever we are sent!

How The Church Should Be Structured Based upon Scripture

The Five-Fold Gifts is the structure God gave to the church, both corporate and local. Ephesians 4:11, tells us that He gave us Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.

The Five-Fold Gifts Represents "the hand of God" in the church today. This is the hand that performs the work the Almighty God desires in this world today. Each of the ministries represents a finger and together all five creates the hand.

The Purpose of the Five-Fold Gifts is found in Ephesians 4:11. To perfect the saints, to identify, equip and involve the saints in the work of the ministry, and to edify the body of Christ.  The five-fold ministry will remain in place until: We all come in the unity of the faith, we all have knowledge of the Son of God and we all become a perfect man unto the stature of the fullness of Christ

God has set five senses in the human body for the protection and care of the body. So He has set five gift ministries as the spiritual senses of the body of Christ for its protection and care.  “Royal Priesthood” Ministries, Int’l is founded upon this scriptural pattern.

The Gift Office of the Apostle
The Apostolic ministry is considered the thumb of the hand of God. It is the only finger that can touch the others.  The Apostolic ministry touches the other four areas of the five-fold gifts ministry. Among the many purposes of the Apostolic Ministry, one is to set the house in order (1 Corinthians 11: 34) and to provide proper government and procedures in the house of God. Indeed all things must be done decently and in order. This area of our ministry is responsible to ensure that our work is efficiently operated complying with the Biblical and governmental requirements and guidelines. This ministry is also actively involved in helping us to fulfill part of our call of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, establishing new churches, supporting and building up existing churches and ministries, ordaining and consecrating those whom God alone has called, support the  work of the Lord and showing the Love of God, that we may impact the world.

Please know there are several types of Apostles, i.e. Apostle-Pastor, Apostle-Evangelist, etc., as has been demonstrated throughout the body of Christ.  God is sovreign and thanks be to God He uses His people to His glory!

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Word of God
The Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, alone is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and having supreme authority in all matters of faith and life.

The Trinity
There is One living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons. They are equal in every divine perfection and They execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption.

God the Father
God the Father is the infinite, eternal and almighty personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love, and is the first Person of the Trinity. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of people, He hears and answers prayers, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him in repentance and faith through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and is the second Person of the Trinity. He was miraculously born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and performed miracles. We affirm His incarnation, teachings, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His personal, visible return to earth. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God the Father and humanity.

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and is sent from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit, as the abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide, indwells every believer in Christ and endows each believer with spiritual gifts for ministry to the family of God and the world.

Salvation
The central purpose of God's revelation in the Bible is to call all people into awareness of their sin, the availability of God's marvelous grace, and the need for repentance and faith that results in complete forgiveness and fellowship with God. All people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under the judgment of God. Those who call on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness, believe in His resurrection and receive Him as their Savior are granted salvation, forgiveness of their sin and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit into a new life in Christ. This act of salvation is based solely on the grace and mercy of God, and is not the result of human deeds or goodness.

Future Destiny
The Lord Jesus Christ will come again to earth, personally and visibly, to establish His kingdom and fulfill God's eternal plan for creation. Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For each person, there will be a resurrection of the body, the final judgment before God, the eternal bliss in heaven for those who are in Christ Jesus, and the endless suffering in hell for those who have not received salvation.

The Church
The Church consists of a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members, and exists as both a world-wide fellowship of the family of God as well as in specific local congregations consisting of a community of believers in Jesus Christ who are committed to obedience to Him. Believers in a local church are called by God to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of the Word of God, observance of baptism and communion as ordinances established by Jesus Christ, and to fellowship and to minister to one another through the development and use of talents and spiritual gifts. God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, beginning in their own communities and reaching cross-culturally to the ends of the earth.

The Ordinances
The Lord Jesus Christ has instituted two ordinances for obedient observance by the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not constitute salvation, but is a public profession of faith that a person has already experienced salvation. The Scriptures teach that the elements of Communion, or the Lord's Supper, have no mystical or supernatural power, but were given by Jesus as symbols of the sacrifice of His body and blood as an atonement for the sins of the world. These two ordinances are to be observed and administered by God's family until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ANTIOCH (Apostolic)CHURCHES

CHARACTERISTICS

Excerpted from Apostle John Eckhardt “Building Antioch Churches”

PIONEERS

This is the foundation of the church at Antioch. Churches that have breakthrough believers will have a foundation to breakthrough and penetrate into various regions. The limitations of culture and religion are broken. These are believers that respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit without fear. They obey the Holy Spirit even if it means initiating something new. These are pioneer believers.

The apostolic anointing is a pioneering anointing. Apostles are set in the church FIRST by God (1Cor.12:28).

BREAKTHROUGH

Breakthrough believers are led by breakthrough leaders. Leaders that are apostolic will demonstrate a capacity to break barriers. They have a grace to pioneer. They move out into new area of truth and revelation in spite of persecution and misunderstand­ing. They are the first to embrace and preach a restored truth. They stir and raise up a breakthrough company of believers.

They have overcome the obstacles that prevent most believers from crossing barriers. Breakthrough believers are the building blocks of the Antioch churches. Jonathan David gives the following characteristics of breakthrough believers based on the believers who came to Antioch.

A. Pioneer new moves of God

B. Able to move under intense pressure

C. Move without compromise

D. Move in progressive revelation

E. Move under authority

F. Move to impact society

Antioch churches have a foundation of evangelism. The spirit of evangelism is strong is these churches. I call this Breakthrough Evangelism. This is the spiritual ability to penetrate into areas and reach new people groups.The Great Commission cannot be fulfilled without evangelism. Although the great commission is an apostolic commission, evangelism is an integral part of fulfilling it.

APOSTOLIC INPUT

Antioch churches are those that are willing to receive APOSTOLIC INPUT. Immediately after the founding of this church, the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas. Barnabas was an encourager who came to exhort the new church. The sending of Barnabas by the Jerusalem church represents apostolic input.

Apostolic input strengthens local churches. When churches honor and respect “sent” ones, they will partake of the grace that is upon the sent one. Apostolic input helps churches to grow by laying a proper foundation. The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20). The new believers at Antioch began to receive the proper foundation for growth and spiritual development.

Churches that lack apostolic input will often remain weak and immature. The church at Antioch began to mature very quickly because of the input of mature ministry gifts. It began to grow both naturally and spiritually. There was a continued spiritual momentum released in this church. 

Apostolic input is accomplished by the visit of apostolic and prophetic gifts as well as the visit of apostolic teams. These anointed gifts will strengthen, mature and release believers into a level of maturity necessary to have impact and influence in regions beyond.

GRACE

Antioch churches are churches of grace. Grace is an identifiable mark of these churches.

Barnabas noticed the grace that was in this church. Grace is the favor of God. There are blessings that come with this favor. When Gods favor is upon a church, it will grow and be a blessing to many.

Churches with grace will come behind in no gift. (1Cor.1:7). These churches have an abundance of spiritual gifts. This includes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as ministry gifts. Gifted churches have a calling and a commission to bless people. This grace is not given without reason. Grace is Gods favor given to be a blessing. Cities, regions and nations can be touched by the grace that is upon a church.

There is a grace to preach, teach, prophecy (gifts of utterance). There is also grace that brings revelation and insight into the plans and purposes of God. Churches with great grace must not waste this on themselves. They must be stewards of the manifold grace of God. They must disperse and dispense this grace to as many as possible.

The Antioch church became a great blessing to many nations. From Antioch, apostolic grace was released to plant churches and bless other cities. Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi and Thessalonica all benefited from the grace that was upon Antioch. How many regions and nations are benefiting from the grace that is upon our churches?

To the extent that grace is on a church is the extent of the blessing it should be to others. Unto whom much is given, much is required. Unto him who has shall more shall be given. These are laws of the kingdom. God’s purposes are fulfilled through grace. Grace gives these churches the ability to do extraordinary things.

There will be an abundance of gifted ministries in Antioch churches. These churches become a spiritual magnet for fivefold ministry gifts. Ministries will also be developed within these churches.

Because there are so many gifts within Antioch churches, there must be a structure to facilitate and release .

TEAM MINISTRY

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people, And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26).

After Barnabas came to Antioch and saw the grace that was upon this church, he went to Tarsus to get Paul. Barnabas knew the grace that was upon Paul’s life and encouraged him to come to Antioch. Barnabas and Paul assembled themselves with the church at Antioch and ministered as a team. Thus they established the team concept at Antioch.

Barnabas and Paul would later be released as a team from Antioch. Apostolic ministry is team ministry. A team of apostles, prophets and teachers will have a tremendous impact upon the spiritual condition of a church.

When Jesus came and ministered he gathered together a team around him. He ordained twelve to be with him. Jesus established the team concept and left us a pattern for breakthrough ministry.

GIVING (BENEVOLENCE)

And there stood up one of them Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout the world; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: Which they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:28-30).

The church at Antioch received prophetic ministry. They honored the ministry gift of the prophet and received the word delivered by Agabus. He foretold of a coming famine in Judea.

The church at Antioch was a benevolent church. They were a giving church that shared and distributed their resources with the churches of Judea. Apostolic distribution is another characteristic of an Antioch church.

There is an apostolic mandate to bless the poor. This is seen in Paul’s ministry of receiving offerings for the poor saints of Jerusalem. Apostolic churches should touch poor nations and minister to the needy.

Antioch churches are giving churches. There is an apostolic grace to give. Supernatural offerings are common in these churches. There is a spirit of liberality. There is a great grace that results in great giving (Acts 4:33).

PROPHETIC MINISTRY

And in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. Now there were in the church that was in Antioch certain prophets and teachers (Acts 11:27; 13:1). Antioch churches respect and receive prophetic ministry. The prophetic and teaching anointing were dominant gifts in the Antioch church. There were a group of prophets and teachers ministering together in the church at Antioch.

Prophetic ministry strengthens and confirms the believer. It brings revelation and refreshing to the church.

This unique combination of prophets and teachers provided an atmosphere for the release of apostolic teams. They both release the word of the Lord. When the word of the Lord is strong in a local church, it will create an atmosphere for the release of the plans and purposes of God. Antioch churches are prophetic, teaching churches. When prophets and teachers come together as a team, get ready for an apostolic Release.

Prophets should be a part of every local church. We are commanded to let the prophets speak (1Cor.14). Antioch churches will have a company of prophets and prophetic people. The prophetic word releases life. Prophetic input keeps these churches fresh and on the cutting edge of what God is doing. The prophetic ministry is strong in these churches because prophets are honored and received.

People are changed when they come into contact with a company of prophets. As prophets prophesy and minister the Spirit of God is released over the lives of those who are ministered to. People are lifted to new levels. The prophetic word activates and initiates people into their destinies. The word is creative and releases the plans and purposes of God.Prophets along with Apostles bring revelation to the church (Eph 3:5). They also lay a foundation (Eph 2:20).

Antioch churches will have believers strong in revelation and foundation. They will have insight into the plans and purposes of God as a result of prophetic ministry.

PLURALITY IN LEADERSHIP

Apostolic churches receive people based upon their gifting and character, rather than upon race or culture. The spirit of racism and discrimination is broken in an Antioch church.

People are attracted to these churches because of the anointing and the apostolic spirit that is within them. These churches will attract people of all backgrounds because they are Kingdom churches. They manifest the Kingdom of God which is above our particular culture and people group.

Antioch churches will be places where people can receive training and be released as leaders. Leaders are developed in an Antioch church. They are raised up quickly. As Barnabas and Paul ministered in Antioch we see a group of leaders being raised up quickly. People are challenged to rise up quickly. People are challenged to rise up and embrace their calling. They are expected to fulfill these callings and obey the Lord. All gifts are recognized in these churches. They have a revelation of the importance of all the gifts and ministries.

MINISTERING TO THE LORD

As they ministered to the lord and fasted (Acts 13:2).

The Antioch church is characterized by ministry to the Lord. There is a spirit of worship in these churches. Worship releases the spirit of prophecy (Rev.19:10). It provides an atmosphere to hear the voice of God. As they fasted they developed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Fasting is the Biblical way of humbling oneself (Psalm 35). As we humble ourselves we receive grace.

Although this was a church of grace, they continued to receive more grace through fasting and ministering to the Lord. Apostolic grace was released. This was a sending grace. They were able to hear the voice of God and release two of their most notable ministers for apostolic ministry.

Fasting and prayer has always been a way to minister to the Lord. Anna ministered to the Lord in this way for many years (Luke 2:36-38). Her ministry was a part of bringing in the Messiah. She was a part of birthing deliverance for Israel and the world. Churches that minister to the Lord in fasting and prayer will be a part of birthing new ministries. As prophets and teachers ministered to the Lord and fasted the apostolic ministry of Barnabas and Paul were released.

Ministering to the Lord is important in Antioch churches. To minister means to wait upon. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Antioch believers wait upon the Lord for direction. Their obedience comes out of hearing the voice of the Lord. They are sensitive to God’s voice. They cherish the voice of the Lord and realize the importance of ministering to the Lord.

PRAYER & FASTING

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:3).

Prayer is the power source of the apostolic. Prayer releases the apostolic anointing. Prayer causes God to “send forth” laborers into the harvest. The apostles gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 13:3).

Antioch churches pray without ceasing (1Thess5:17). They are strong in corporate prayer (Acts 4:31). They labor in prayer (Col.4:12). They pray with the spirit and with the understanding (Cor.14:15).

Fasting is also part of apostolic ministry (2Cor.11:27). Fasting is an act of humility. It is a declaration in the spirit that we are entirely dependent upon God. Sent ones are dependent upon the sender. Their power and authority come from the sender.

Antioch churches are houses of prayer. They are strong bases of prayer and intercession. Prayer and fasting is the power source of the apostolic ministry.

These are supernatural weapons that destroy strongholds of darkness. Leadership is released through prayer and fasting. Elders are ordained through prayer and fasting. Great power and anointing is released through prayer and fasting.

The level of power and anointing is high in an Antioch church because of prayer and fasting. The leadership is committed to prayer and fasting. The result will be signs, wonders, and miracles on a consistent basis. Prayer and fasting is a way to break open difficult territories. It is a platform in which strong ministries are built.

Fasting gives Antioch churches the ability to build the old waste places. They establish the foundations of many generations. They become the repairers of the breach and the restorer of paths to dwell in (Isaiah. 58:6, 12).

SENDING

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:3). The prophets and teachers at Antioch responded to the Holy Spirit and send out an apostolic team consisting of Barnabas and Pail. The Antioch church is a sending church.

Apostolic people and churches revolve around the concept of sending and being sent.

Antioch became an apostolic mission base for developing and releasing apostolic teams. The Biblical pattern of planting and building churches is through apostolic teams.

Apostolic teams give the local church the ability to reach out beyond their region into other regions and nations. Churches are then able to impact other regions