Moving in the Apostolic by John Eckhardt

Author:John Eckhardt
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-21T11:55:25+00:00

Chapter Seven

The Apostolic Seal

Even if I am not considered an apostle (a special messenger) by others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence) of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating]

1 Corinthians 9:2, amplified

The apostle Paul referred to those who had become believers through his ministry as "epistles of Christ." His description of these converts also applies to believers today:

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart (2 Cor. 3:2,3).

All of us who believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are epistles of Christ. What does that mean? It means that believers and unbelievers alike look upon us and "read" the gospel by the way we live our lives. And the way we live our lives—the witness we give to those who watch us—reflects the apostolic ministry that birthed and/or discipled us.

This is an awesome responsibility, not only for apostles, but for all believers. If we want to be epistles that positively affect the lives of those who "read" us, we need to reflect an apostolic dimension in our lives that will lift up the name of Jesus and draw all men to Him (see John 12:32).

The apostolic seal is the visible sign, mark or symbol that serves as evidence of a true apostolic ministry. The seal of a true apostle will be the people (believers) birthed and raised up through the apostle's ministry. These believers will have an apostolic dimension in their lives because of the gifting of the apostle; they will have an apostle's stamp upon them. They will be an apostolic company of believers, the visible evidence of a true apostle's calling. And they will manifest the characteristics of an apostolic ministry.

A seal is an embossed emblem, symbol or letter that serves as evidence of authenticity. It is an authenticating mark or symbol that establishes something or someone as genuine. The apostolic seal authenticates the ministry of a true apostle. This seal or stamp will be upon the believers who are a product of the apostle's ministry.

Identifying True Apostles

Let's take a look at the distinguishing marks of an apostolic ministry. False apostles will not have this seal. Neither they nor their followers will bear these distinguishing marks. It is important to recognize the apostolic seal, because it can be used to authenticate, to distinguish the false from the true.

And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars (Rev. 2:2).

We are to test or try those who say they are apostles. The church at Ephesus was commended by the Lord for testing those who claimed to be apostles. The Berkeley version says, "How you have put to the test those who call themselves apostles though they are not, and you have found them to be impostors" (MLB, italics added).

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