Government of God Series

The Government of God Series

Lesson 1

Basic Understanding of Government Introduction When you begin to speak of government, you have to include areas, which have, in our society, become dirty words—authority, submission, structure, rules, laws, and regulations. The purpose of any government is to bring structure and order to the daily lives and issues of society.

Governments do this by imposing laws, rules, and regulations and specifying a legal process to punish those who disregard those laws or otherwise provide equitable redress to those who have been wronged by others. This is as true of the government of God, i.e., the Kingdom of God, as it is for any secular government.

However, the Church in America has hindered our understanding of God’s government by emphasizing an extreme grace that implies that we are without law. It is true that we are under grace in the New Testament dispensation and we are not under the Law. But that means we are no longer dependent upon the Old Testament Law for righteousness. Our righteousness has been provided by grace through Jesus Christ who fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law of Moses. That does not mean that we are without law. It does not mean that we can do whatever we want whenever we want without considering God’s requirements under the new covenant.

One who is without law is “lawless”, which is one of our definitions of an “outlaw”. The New Testament has a lot to say about lawlessness and it is condemned by the Lord. The King James translation of the Scriptures frequently translates the Greek word for lawlessness as “iniquity”.

The New American Standard Bible translates it correctly as “lawlessness”. Jesus gives us His view of this: Mat 7:21-23 NASB (21) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

(22) "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

(23) "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' You can’t be a one who is lawless (even doing good works in the name of Jesus) and enter into the government of God. Obedience to the will of the Father is a requirement. It is His will that structures our behavior. He does this by giving us His commands to which we are to become obedient.

The government of God is the Kingdom of God where Jesus rules as both Lord and King. The Kingdom is in mystical or spiritual form now; but, it will be in physical form during the literal

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

The Government of God Series

Lesson 1

1000 year reign of Christ on earth at His second coming. His government re-establishes the throne of David as prophesied.

Isa 9:6-7 NASB (6) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

(7) There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

His government brings peace and is ordered and established with judgment and with justice.

This is the standard for which all earthly government must strive.

Created to rule When God created man, He created him to rule, to have dominion and authority1. This desire is built into us. We want to rule in whatever circumstances that we find ourselves. Of course, it was God’s intention that man rule under the dominion and authority of Himself. When Adam was disobedient, he was cut off from the life and authority of the Lord. Man did not lose the desire to rule; however, he no longer had the ability to accomplish this through God but instead sought to rule from his own authority and that which was provided by the Enemy.

The authority of our world system is derived from the pattern established by Lucifer2. It is based on pride and on ascending to as high a position as possible by taking what you want. It is built upon dissatisfaction with who you are, where you are, and what you are doing. Anyone who has ever been in the corporate world immediately recognizes the process of climbing the corporate ladder to reach the top. This is a hierarchical structure of government shaped like a triangle with the highest point being the top person. This is not the pattern of the Kingdom of God. The governmental pattern of the world system is not the governmental pattern of Jesus.

Mat 20:25-28 NASB (25) But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

(26) "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, (27) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

1 Genesis 1:26-28 2 Isaiah 14:12-14 Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

The Government of God Series

Lesson 1

Jesus tells us directly that the government, the exercise of dominion or authority, among His people is not to be like that of the world system. His government is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost3 administered through service to one another. It is based on receiving rather than taking.

We learn to rule by yielding to the Lordship of Christ and ministering to one another. This is directly opposite to the methodology of Lucifer.

I have said all of this about government and ruling to establish the fact that the way of the Lord is different. Our way of thinking has created major problems among the people of God because we have brought the structure of government of the world system into the Church. In secular thinking we have “positions or offices” in government. In spiritual thinking we have “functions of ministry” in the Kingdom of God. This is as different as night is from day.

The practical outworking of this is exemplified by the practice of authority. In secular government you “have authority” because you can command obedience from your position. In the Kingdom you can exercise authority because you are “under authority”. In secular government you can “make” people do things that they do not want to do. In the Kingdom, even God does not “make” people do things but instead entreats people through love and service to do the right thing.

In the secular realm, authority is equated with power and the right to command others. In the spiritual realm, authority is equated with responsibility and the right to serve others. We have been given authority over demons and demonic powers, authority to fulfill the plan and call of God; but we have not been given authority over people. God does not transgress the free will of people and He will not allow anyone else to do it either. People must voluntarily submit their will to His government.

The moment that we begin to control people is the moment we begin to operate under the principle of Satan, that is, to dominate, intimidate, and force others into doing our will. The power of this principle is called witchcraft in the Scriptures and it can be either demonic or fleshly4. When the built in desire to rule is manifested as controlling others we are operating in one of the works of the flesh, i.e., witchcraft. This fleshly work can also be demonically empowered. When cult leaders seem to exercise a supernatural control over their followers, they are frequently under the influence of demonically empowered witchcraft.

The sad news is that too many in the Church are blind to the influence of witchcraft. It is rampant in many of the assemblies of God’s people. It masquerades as prayer needs for those we don’t believe to be doing God’s will; as laws for holiness or acceptance; as manipulations of leadership or others through money, praise, pride, or power.

The even sadder news is that witchcraft is most prevalent in the abuses of authority in leadership.

Any leader who intimates that to disagree with him is to disagree with God is in danger of utilizing witchcraft. Any leader that implies leaving his group will result in God’s judgment is in 3 Romans 14:17 4 Galatians 5:19-21 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

The Government of God Series

Lesson 1

danger of utilizing witchcraft. Anyone who takes up an offering in such a way as to apply guilt or manipulate people into giving is in danger of utilizing witchcraft. We can add a number of other things to this list, but the bottom line is that any effort to control or manipulate people into doing what we want instead of what God wants is witchcraft.

Witchcraft is a counterfeit of the Enemy for governmental control. It is his tool of manipulation, intimidation and control to cause people to do his bidding and fulfill his desires. When we try to utilize the methods of the world system as our form of government, we open ourselves to government by and through witchcraft. This has major impact on us if our form of church government is worldly rather than Kingdom structured.

Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 2

The Building Block of God’s Government The Family Unit In both spiritual and secular government the family is the primary building block of the governmental society. We can look at history and see that any secular government that lasted any length of time had a fundamental respect and support of the family. Any government that moves away from basic building block of the family, which is done by moving the responsibilities from the family father to the State, quickly begins to become a declining society with increasing violence, abuse, sexual deviancy, and other forms of social upheaval.

When God made Adam, He also said that is was not good for Adam to be alone.1 He made Eve to be an appropriate helper and companion and commanded them to be fruitful and reproduce.

This reveals to us that God’s primary structure of society is family not individuals. Healthy families functioning in God ordained structure and order produce a healthy society. When governments forget or ignore this and try to make the primary societal unit the individual, they create an over-emphasis on individual rights and personal freedoms, which results in an environment that equates good morality with anything that doesn’t interfere with an individuals right to do as he pleases as long as “it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

When one understands and applies the dynamics of relationships learned in a healthy family operating under the precepts of God, there is a laying down of one’s rights and freedoms for the benefit of family members. This process begins with husband and wife who must become “one flesh”, that is, each forsakes their individual identity and merge into a new “corporate” identity where each is defined in their relationship with the other.

Gen 2:24 NASB (24) For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

If both husband and wife each insist on “their rights”, they can never become “one flesh”. There must be a laying down of rights in order to make the new family unit function properly. Jesus exemplifies this type of mindset or outlook when He laid aside His heavenly rights and became a human person.

Phi 2:5-8 NASB (5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness 1 Genesis 2:18 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

Government of God Series

Lesson 2

of men.

(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We are told to have the same type of mindset or outlook in our life. This starts with our relationship with each other in the family. We don’t strive to get all that we can or to have our every whim catered to; instead, we look out for the good of the other family members and lay aside our rights, desires, ambitions, etc. to achieve the best for them. The generations prior to this one all desired something better for their children than what they had and willingly sacrificed so that their children would have the opportunity to move on to better things.

However, this generation has yielded to the lies of the Enemy and the world system. These lies are reflected in every aspect of our society, especially in the advertising area. You may recall some of the commercials over the past several years. Do these phrases sound familiar? “You only go around once in life. Grab all of the gusto you can.” “Get up and get away! You deserve a break today!” “It is expensive, but I am worth it.”

You determine the things that motivate the people of a society by the type of advertising that is effective. It is the advertisers job to change, sway, or re-direct a person’s desire. The current generation has had the full focus of Madison Avenue’s gurus to change their inherent desires.

This process has primarily been related to a person’s rights and indulgences resulting in the lie that each one has the right to indulge himself or herself in whatever way desired.

As this has been carried over into our spiritual lives, the result has been confusion and a perversion of some of God’s basic principles for government. The first lie the Church implemented from the world system strikes at the family building block. This lie becomes a deception in the area of husband and wife relationship and perverts authority and submission.

We have equated “value” with “function” and then confused this with “identity”. We must reapply God’s Truth to the family structure if our society is to survive and if we are going to accomplish God’s purpose and calling.

Submission Consider the idea of “submission” which we all know is a scriptural concept—we are told to submit to one another and that the wife is to submit to her husband. Yet, in practice, we don’t implement submission because we fear losing “our identity” and “value” as a person. This is because we have bought into the worldly lie that “absolute submission” is “complete obedience” to the desires of another. This is not true. Submission is an attitude of the spirit and is absolute to the Lord. Obedience is an action and is not absolute. One can be submissive without being obedient. The Scriptures verify this.

Act 5:27-29 NASB (27) When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, (28) saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

Government of God Series

Lesson 2

have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

(29) But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.

Peter’s words are the key to our understanding. Our obedience is always to God. If man contradicts God, we must disobey men in order to obey God. The submissive attitude comes when we accept the consequences of being disobedient which Peter did because he understood that God establishes all authority. Just because the authority over us is wrong doesn’t relieve us of the responsibility of submission even though our conscious leads us to disobey.

By God’s commandment, Adam was to become a father. God’s promise to Abraham was that he would be a father of nations. Being a father undoubtedly plays a primary role in God’s purposes.

God established the family for man to learn to exercise Godly rule within it. This is the classroom to learn authority, submission, responsibility, and how to exercise dominion properly.

The Father’s heart God structured His government in such a way that it expresses His nature and character. The key element of this is the concept of “Fatherhood”. Our God expresses Himself as “Father”. That is why we know that He always desires our good.

Gal 4:6 NASB (6) Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Fatherhood is one of the three eternal principles of the Godhead. The other two are “fellowship” and “headship” [discussed in other lessons available on the website]. It is God’s intention that His people reflect the full working of these three principles in their relationships just as He does within the Godhead.

To become a leader in God’s government requires that one develop a father’s heart. Only “spiritual fathers” can operate within the Kingdom of God as leaders. This is how God protects His government from the contamination of the world system.

The Scriptures divide our spiritual growth to maturity into three stages.

1Jo 2:12-14 NASB (12) I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.

(13) I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

(14) I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

Government of God Series

Lesson 2

God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Jesus said that those who had seen him had seen the Father. The writer of Hebrews said that the Son was “the express image of his person”. Isaiah called the Son “everlasting Father”2.

It is the Father’s intention that we become conformed to the image of Christ.

Rom 8:29 NASB (29) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; As this happens, we are being conformed to the image of the Father also. This process means that we must be conformed in three areas: our character, our actions, and our thoughts or intents of the heart.

We begin to understand God's government when we understand how we grow up in a family.

Our first role is that of a son. As a son we learn from our father. We learn how to be obedient to his rules; we partake of his love; we model his example. [This is the way it should be; however, I know that many of us did not have loving fathers and it has affected our relationship with the Heavenly Father.] After learning how to be a son, there comes a time when we, too, become a father, then, we begin to express to our son the things that we learned as a son ourselves. This same process works in the spiritual realm, also. We learn as sons from spiritual fathers so that we too can became spiritual fathers to others. This is the organic government of the Kingdom of God.

2 Isaiah 9:6 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 3

The Establishment of God's Government In our previous lesson in this series we saw that the basic building block of God's government is the family, which is the arena of spiritual preparation for participation. A “father's heart” is required for one to operate properly in governmental authority according to the rules of the Kingdom of God as opposed to the world's way, which is empowered by the enemy. In this lesson we will begin to look at the nature and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Definitions We have already said in previous lessons that the government of God is the Kingdom of God. It is where the King rules. We don't have kings in America so the idea of a kingdom is a little hard for us to wrap our minds around. A kingdom is where a king rules over a geographical territory and the population that resides in that territory. Another way of saying it is that a kingdom is a country that is governed by a king. So, we can say that the Kingdom of God is the government of God as it relates to His people, where Jesus rules as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

This makes the Kingdom of God a monarchy. As a matter of fact, it is an absolute monarchy, that is, only the will of the King is important and His every desire is to be fulfilled. The King holds within his hand the power of life and death.

Historical Perspective The Hebrews equated the Kingdom of God with the Kingdom of Israel. They couldn't see that the Messiah was applicable to more than Israel, nor that the Kingdom of God was also bigger than Israel. Even the disciples continually asked Jesus if He would now restore the kingdom to Israel.1 At one time, God had directly governed Israel through the prophets and judges of the Old Testament. Under God, the government of Israel was completely and dramatically different than the governments of the heathen nations that surrounded them. However, there came a time when Israel was not satisfied with this arrangement, but wanted to be more like the nations around them and have a visible king that could be seen and would represent them in battle and other occasions of royal pomp and circumstance.2 Israel rejected God as king over them; however, God had His own plans concerning His government and the King who would rule. Isaiah spoke of a coming child, a son, upon whose 1 Acts 1:6 2 I Samuel 8:6-7 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

Government of God Series

Lesson 3

shoulders the government would rest.3 Once established, His government would continually increase.4 The Kingdom of God knows no boundaries.

The results of the government of God is peace and order. It is established in righteousness and holiness. It is through the government of God, the rule of the King in our hearts, that we enter into His rest.

A Dream Interpreted Daniel chapter two describes a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had that disturbed him and he wanted a correct interpretation of this dream. To make sure of the interpretation, the king would not tell the dream first but required the interpreter to tell him the dream and then the interpretation. Only Daniel, through God, was able to do this.

The dream was of a giant statute or figure that had a head of gold and feet of iron and clay. In between were segments of other types of metals. Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar that the figure represented coming kingdoms that would rule (that area, the Middle East, especially Israel). The head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar, himself, with other kingdoms coming after him until the feet are reached. The quality of the material of which the statute was constructed deteriorated as the future kingdoms came, going from gold to iron mixed with clay.

It is not my intention here to explain or elaborate on the various kingdom. That has been done many times by many “end times prophesy teachers”. It is fairly easy to look into history and see the kingdoms that are a part of the statute. The problem, as I see it, comes with the legs and feet, which are the iron and the iron mixed with clay. Everyone seems to agree that this is the Roman Empire and I agree with that assessment; however, the key to understanding is what comes next and with that I disagree with the traditional interpretation.

First we have the description of the fourth kingdom, which most consider to be the Roman Empire: Daniel 2:40-43 NASB (40) "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces.

(41) "In that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay.

(42) "As the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle.

(43) "And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one 3 Isaiah 9:6 4 Isaiah 9:7 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

Government of God Series

Lesson 3

another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.

This is a very good description of the Roman Empire. It started off very strong, crushing everything in its path of expansion, but later, became corrupt, indulgent, and hedonistic. The people groups that were absorbed maintained their own identity but had to swear allegiance and pay tribute to Rome. Just as the verses above say, they did not adhere to one another. The Empire was brittle and fragile at the outer edges. This is a description of the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus.

Look at the next verse: Daniel 2:44 NASB (44) "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.

The Kingdom of God is the rock that is cut out without hands that crushes all other kingdoms.5 It is the Kingdom that endures forever, that continually increases.

Now, the question is, when does this occur? Traditional interpretation requires a reestablishment of the Roman Empire in the last days that gives rise to the Antichrist so that the establishment of the Millennium Kingdom will crush it. But, is that what this Scripture says?

When did the Kingdom of God (the rock cut out of the mountain without hands) strike the Roman Empire? I think that the Scriptures reveal rather plainly that this occurred with the death and resurrection of Jesus. From the book of Acts forward the Christians served another King and not Caesar. In spite of the persecution, Christianity ultimately was the downfall of the Roman Empire.

The Mystery of the Kingdom Our understanding is hindered when we don't have revelation concerning the Kingdom of God. God has established it in such a way that it is “hidden” in plain sight. Jesus spoke about it in parables and gave this as His reason for doing so.

Mark 4:11-12 NASB (11) And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, (12) so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN." 5 Daniel 2:45 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

Government of God Series

Lesson 3

As Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, the Pharisees asked Him the obvious question.

Luke 17:20-21 NASB (20) Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; (21) nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst."

What does Jesus' answer mean? He is saying that the Kingdom is not coming visually (the Greek word means ocular-evidence) so, don't go looking here and there because the Kingdom is already “in your midst” or “among you”. Where the King is, there is the Kingdom!

John the Baptist came preaching that the Kingdom of God was at hand.6 Jesus' first public sermon began with the Kingdom of God7 is at hand8 and later made this even clearer.

Mark 1:15 NASB (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

When both John and Jesus used the words “at hand”, they meant that it was imminent. The Kingdom was about to be revealed. Jesus made it very clear about how close it was.

Mark 9:1 NASB (1) And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

OK, when did the Kingdom of God come with power? It was on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father9, was poured forth. The only direct definition of the Kingdom of God in the New Testament is in Romans.

Romans 14:17 NASB (17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The environment of the Kingdom is described as righteousness, peace and joy. This environment 6 Matthew 3:1-2 7 Some have tried to make a distinction between “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God”; but, in the Scriptures, there is no distinction. Matthew, a Hebrew, writing to Hebrews used “heaven” instead of “God” because of their reluctance to use God's name, lest they use it in vain. Scripture references describing the same events between the four Gospels refer to the “kingdom of God” where Matthew refers to the “kingdom of heaven” 8 Matthew 4:17 9 Acts 2:33 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 3

is located “in the Holy Spirit”. So, we can see, by putting all of these pieces together that the imminent Kingdom was revealed by coming in power at Pentecost.

Part of the mystery of the Kingdom is that it is now but not now. Currently, in the Holy Spirit, we have the Kingdom in mystical form that begins in the heart of believers. In the future, we will have the Kingdom in physical form with the 1000 year literal reign of Christ on the earth, the millennium. Even though, at the moment, the Kingdom is a spiritual reality, it is no less real.

The Requirements for a Kingdom There are several key requirements for a kingdom to exist.

1. There must be a king, a governing monarch.

2. There must be subjects, residents, that is, a population.

3. There must some geography, a territory.

As we have already stated, the first requirement is met through Jesus as our King. He is first, foremost, pre-immanent as monarch of the Kingdom. Currently, the now of the Kingdom, the King is searching for subjects with which to populate His Kingdom. Population is His primary focus for this season prior to the Millennium.

Jesus will claim His territory, His geography, when He returns and establishes His 1000 year reign. His territory includes the entire earth. Those who receive His government now and allow the Holy Spirit to change and mature them, will rule with Him during the 1000 years.

As revealed to Daniel as he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the Kingdom of God is a rock that will crush all previous kingdoms. This began on the day of Pentecost with the coming of the Spirit and continues till now and will continue until the Lord returns and physically establishes His Throne on the earth.

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 5

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

Kingdom Government Bear with me as we lay the foundation for this lesson. We need to establish some facts and then see how they all go together to accomplish the purpose of the Lord. We have said in previous lessons that the government of God is the Kingdom of God and that it is contained in the Holy Spirit. The last lesson established the fact that the Kingdom came in power on the day of Pentecost and fulfilled the word of the Lord when He said that some standing with Him would not taste death until they saw the Kingdom coming in power.1 The government of the Kingdom was prophesied by Isaiah long before the Lord came.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB (6) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

(7) There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

These Scriptures make it clear that the government of God is upon the shoulders of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His government will continually increase.

Authority of the King The foundation of any Kingdom is the authority of its King. Jesus received all authority from the Father and upon this authority is constituted the Kingdom of God. Matthew 28:18 NASB (18) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

All authority means all. There is no other authority recognized by the Father or by the Lord except the authority of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This is original authority; anything else is delegated authority. This means that government has no inherent authority with which to operate. All governmental authority stems from the One who has authority. Therefore, in the Kingdom context, there is no inherent authority in the Church—all authority is in Christ. From this original grant of all authority by the Father stems any other authority making any other authority delegated authority.

How then does the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ get to be in the Church? The answer is through the delegate of Jesus—the one that He has appointed as His sole and absolute delegate. The authority 1 Mark 9:1 Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

for the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the Earth resides completely in the delegate of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who, then, is the Delegate?

John 16:12-15 NASB (12) "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

(13) "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

(14) "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

(15) "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who is the Delegate, the Administrator of the Lord. He does not speak by His own authority because He is speaking on the behalf of another. As Jesus' Delegate, He discloses to us the things that belong to Jesus, which are all of the things that the Father has including all authority. The Father had all authority by virtue of being the Father. And the Father, then, upon the completion of Jesus' sacrifice, exalted Him and gave Him a name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father, the one who gave Him all authority.

So in this original grant of authority from the Father to the Son, Jesus declares, "all that the Father has is Mine." Then He says, "I am sending the Holy Spirit to you, and He will take from what is Mine and make it known unto you." That is why the Holy Spirit does not act on His own since He represents the exclusive and absolute delegation of the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. We preach the Gospel today by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is established according to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. So in this complete delegation of authority to the Holy Spirit, Jesus then gives to the Holy Spirit the right to establish His kingdom.

That is why Romans 14:17 begins by saying that the kingdom of God is not food or drink. The kingdom of God is not about the material realm or even about rules and restrictions. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit because, in His exclusive delegation, the Holy Spirit is the only one empowered to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Illegitimate Authority Since Jesus has been given all authority. Anyone or anything operating in any form of authority that has not been authorized by Jesus is functioning in illegal or illegitimate authority. To exercise authority one must have the right to do so. To attempt to exercise authority without having the right to do it makes it illegitimate authority and puts it in the category of the world and the principle of Satan.

Jesus will rule His Kingdom until all illegitimate authority is dealt with.

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NASB (24) then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

abolished all rule and all authority and power.

(25) For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

The enemies of the Lord operate with illegitimate authority. They do not have the right to exercise authority because they are not being led by the Spirit. His enemies are primarily demonic powers and wicked men because they are the ones who lord if over people.

Exercising Authority Besides receiving “all authority�, Jesus also specified a particular type of authority that was given to Him. John 17:1-2 NASB (1) Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, (2) even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

Jesus is the only one who has the right to exercise authority over people. (Bear with me, this is important as we get into government). To the best that I can determine, Jesus has not delegated this aspect of authority to anyone except the Holy Spirit.

However, He has clearly delegated authority to us that is to be exercised in a particular way. Jesus gave very specific authority to the disciples: Matthew 10:1 NASB (1) Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

This is clear. The disciples were given authority over unclean spirits and every kind of disease and sickness. When Jesus sent them out in pairs, He, again, gave very specific authority to them.

Luke 9:1-2 NASB (1) And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

(2) And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

Again, it is clear: authority over all demons and to heal disease. And, the purpose for which the authority was given is also very clear: to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to perform healing.

When Jesus sent out the seventy, they were only directed according to the plan of the Lord. They weren't sent to just anyplace but only to the places where He was coming.2

2 Luke 10:1 Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

When they returned and were excited about the fact that the demons were subject to them, Jesus told them why: Luke 10:19 NASB (19) "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

Notice3 that in all of these cases, Jesus gave authority over spiritual things such as demons and sicknesses but never gave any of them authority over people. Likewise, Jesus has given us authority over all of the power of the enemy so that we might overcome but the scriptures say specifically that we don't wrestle with flesh and blood, that is, people4. It would seem to me that so many in the Church have it backwards. They want to exercise authority over people but have very little authority in spiritual matters.5

Putting it all Together Now, lets see if we can put this together so that we can get a better understanding of the government of the Kingdom of God. Remember, in Isaiah it said that the government would rest on His shoulders. I believe that this is literally and spiritually true. Literally, as King, Jesus has the right to exercise all authority to govern His Kingdom. Spiritually, Jesus is the Head of His Body, which is made up of many members. I believe that it is the shoulders of the Body of Christ that governs the Kingdom of God. The question, then, would be, “Who makes up the shoulders?”

I think that the answer is given in Ephesians chapter four. In verse eight, Paul says that when Jesus ascended He gave gifts to men and then in verse eleven, he names the gifts.

Ephesians 4:11 NASB (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, These are not gifts of abilities, not even supernatural abilities as are the gifts of the Spirit.6 These are gifts of men from Jesus to His people. Each of these gifts is Jesus working through a person in the appropriate functional capacity; for example, Jesus as the Apostle works through a man as an apostle, Jesus as the Prophet, works through a man as a prophet, and so on through the other gifts. All of these gifts, popularly known as the five-fold ministry, are closely related to the Head and are an extension of the Head's ministry in the earth. (That is why I consider the 5 main ministries as part of the “shoulders” upon which the government rests.)

3 Notice that in this scripture “all of the power of the enemy” includes “serpents and scorpions”. This suggests that these are not physical serpents and scorpions but rather types of demons: a serpent type that attacks the mind as in the Garden and a scorpion type that torments people as do those with scorpion stingers that are released from the Abyss in Revelation.

4 Ephesians 6:12 5 For further study on authority refer to the teaching “Spiritual Authority” available on the website.

6 I Corinthians 12:7-11 © 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

We have traditionally called these Ephesian Ministries offices and given them some form of inherent authority as positions in the Church. This is simply not true. It is natural thinking applied to spiritual truth and will not work according to the plan of the Lord. As we have seen previously in this lesson, there is no inherent authority—only that which Jesus delegates. Since the Holy Spirit is His Delegate in this, only those who are operating in the Spirit have any authority at all. This shows us that authority cannot reside in an office or position, but only in a person who is walking in the Spirit.

The 5-fold ministry is gifts of men who are functionaries in the Kingdom of God. Each of these fulfill a function of the Lord in the earth as He operates His Body. Each function is required to be operative in order to accomplish the purpose of the Lord. Their job description is given in the next verse.

Ephesians 4:12 NASB (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; The job of the 5-fold ministry is two-fold: 1. Equipping the saints. Equipping means providing the necessary protective gear, tools, and other accessories that are needed for the people to do their job. For example: if your job is to weld something together, to equip you to do this, I would have to provide an arc welder, a welding rod, face and eye protective gear, asbestos gloves and training on how to do a proper weld that will hold under stress. The jobs of the saints are the work of service, for which they have to be spiritually equipped by the 5-fold ministry.

2. Building up. This is a construction term. The Body of Christ is also the Temple of the Spirit built of living stones.7 A construction team builds a building by laying a foundation and then building on it with the appropriate materials in the appropriate order and in the appropriate way, that is, according to the architect's plans. The 5-fold ministries follow the Architect's plans for His Temple and help the living stones to be shaped to their purpose and to be properly built together in a proper order so that they might become a habitation of God through the Spirit.

The job functions of the 5-fold ministries are necessary and will continue until the time shown by the next verse.

Ephesians 4:13 NASB (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Until all not some reach a certain place in spiritual maturity.

1. Until all attain to the unity of the faith. This is not doctrine but the unity of the Spirit, which we are to endeavor to keep.

2. Until all attain to the knowledge of the Son of God. 7 I Peter 2:5 Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 5

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

3. Until all attain to a mature man.

4. Until all attain to the measure of the stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ.

It can certainly be said that not all have reached this place of spiritual maturity today; therefore, the 5fold equipping ministries of the Lord are needed now so that their job can be completed in the earth.

When we allow the equipping ministries given to us by Jesus to do their job, there are tremendous results that are accomplished in the people of God as shown in the next three verses.

Ephesians 4:14-16 NASB (14) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (15) but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (16) from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

We do not remain children, unstable in doctrine and gullible to trickery and deceit, but instead we grow up into Him. As we grow up into the Head, we become fitted together and bound to each other by the supply of the joints and the proper working of the individual parts. We grow together as a body as we love one another. This is all a result of the people of God receiving the work of the 5-fold equipping ministries that are given by the Lord for just this purpose.

The King's Government As we have seen, the Lord has received all authority and when He ascended He gave His people gifts of men who would continue His work among His people. These equipping ministries have authority because the Lord has made them responsible for the work listed above and they are accountable to Him on how well they accomplished the work.

The equipping ministries are to take the children and help them to mature spiritually and help them to find and function in their place in the Body. We have so over emphasized our identity as sons that we forget that a son has to grow up in order to function properly as a son.

Galatians 4:1-2 NASB (1) Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, (2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

The Equipping Ministries function as the “under guardians and managers” of the “heirs of salvation” until they come of age and function as sons. Paul speaks of this when he speaks of the authority given to him to fulfill his equipping role.

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 6

Government of God Series

Lesson 4

2 Corinthians 10:8 NASB (8) For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 2 Corinthians 13:10 NASB (10) For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

So, we see that when it comes to people, even Paul's authority was limited to the specific purposes of his equipping role that he was given by the Lord. This had to do with the apostolic work of the Kingdom and Paul's function as a “master builder”. We are given spiritual authority to fulfill the function of our calling and to accomplish the work that the Lord has assigned.

As we saw in Isaiah, the government of the King is manifested as righteousness and peace. Any who would walk in the government of the Lord must also express righteousness and peace. Any who function in the government of the Lord as under managers are typified by their relationship with the Lord that results in righteousness and peace.

In our next several lessons, we will look at the governmental functions of each of the equipping ministries beginning with apostles.

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 7

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

Kingdom Government—Apostles Introduction As we saw in our previous lesson, the government of God fills His entire Kingdom. The Lord has given us the gifts1 of men who fulfill some of the governmental functions of the Kingdom of God. These functions are popularly known as the five-fold ministry and are given to equip the believers to fulfill their calling in the Lord and mature into productive citizens of the Kingdom. This lesson will begin our study of each of these equipping ministries.

Definition of Apostle In the Greek, the word for Apostle means “one sent forth”. This implies that there is one who is doing the sending as well as the one sent. Jesus made this clear.

John 13:16 NASB (16) "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent [apostolos-apostle] greater than the one who sent him.

In the original “one who is sent” is apostolos which is apostle. Therefore, the apostle is not greater than the one who sent him. There is also an implication that the apostle (the “sendee”) is responsible in some manner to the “sender”, that is, the one who sends the apostle maintains some level of responsibility for the apostle.

Categories of Apostles There are some who want to question the validity of apostles for today. While I am not going to belabor the point, I will point out a couple of things from the Scriptures. First, in Ephesians it tells us that when Jesus ascended He gave the equipping gifts to men,2 which included apostles. So, the fivefold ministry was given not only after His resurrection but also after He ascended back to Heaven. It also says that these were given explicitly for maturing and equipping believers until all come into maturity, unto “the measure of the statue that belongs to the fullness of Christ”.3 Second, both Paul and Barnabas are called apostles4 and neither of them met the criteria given by Peter5 when they were selecting a replacement for Judas. Thirdly, the resurrected Lord, speaking to John in Revelation, tells him to write to the angel of the church of Ephesus and the Lord commends them on putting those who called themselves apostles to the test and proving them false6. Since, at the time of the writing of 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ephesians 4:11-17 Ephesians 4:8-10 Ephesians 4:12 Acts 14:14 Acts 1:21-22 Revelation 2:1-2

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

Revelation, John was the last of the original Twelve apostles that was still alive, there would be no need of Ephesus testing any more apostles if there weren't other apostles beyond the original Twelve.

So, we conclude then that the Lord intended for the apostolic functions to be viable and necessary through the Church age.

There would not be an issue of whether or not apostles are for today if people understood that there are three categories of apostles. The first two categories occurred before Pentecost and the third after Pentecost. The first two categories are unique and will never have any more additions, but, that is not true of the third category.

The Apostle of the Father The first category is the Apostle of the Father. Jesus is the one and only member of this class.

Hebrews 3:1 NASB (1) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;

As the Apostle of the Father, Jesus was sent by Him for a specific work. (All apostles are sent to do a particular job or work). Jesus was sent forth from the Father as an apostle; but, He returned to the Father as High Priest.

The Apostles of Jesus The second category of apostles are those sent or appointed by Jesus. This is also a unique class since these apostles have prophetic application and placement in God's purpose as shown in the Book of Revelation.

Matthew 10:1 NASB (1) Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Matthew 10:5 NASB (5) These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: . . .

Matthew 10:2 NASB (2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: . . .

Luke 9:1-2 NASB (1) And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

(2) And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

Before Jesus commissioned the twelve, they are called disciples; after He sent them out, the twelve are called apostles.

Because there are prophetic implications, this category of apostles had to number twelve. That is why there had to be a replacement for Judas to complete the number.

Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

Acts 1:15-17 NASB (15) At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, (16) "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

(17) "For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry."

Acts 1:20-22 NASB (20) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.' (21) "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-(22) beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

To replace Judas and complete the number, required a person who had accompanied them through the entire ministry of Jesus, beginning with His baptism by John and continuing through His resurrection and ascension. The reason for this was that the testimony of twelve people proved a fact to be true without a shadow of doubt7. The Twelve Apostles were the witness testimony to the validity of Jesus' life, ministry, and resurrection.

There are some who say that Peter and the others took it upon themselves to appoint a replacement for Judas, but, that God's replacement was Paul. This is not correct. Paul did not meet the criteria as set forth above and, therefore, could not be a replacement for Judas.

The Apostles of the Holy Spirit The third class of apostles are those included in the ascension gifts of Jesus. It is important to see that these were only given after Jesus ascended to the Father. This should eliminate the arguments about whether or not the apostolic functions are for today.

Ephesians 4:8 NASB (8) Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." Ephesians 4:11 NASB (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

These gifts were given by Jesus as the Head of the Church to carry on with His work in the earth. It is Jesus as apostle working through a man that makes him an apostle. It is Jesus as prophet working through a man that makes him a prophet and so it is with the other ascension gifts.

We need to distinguish between these ascension gifts of Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed 7 This is probably the basis for our legal system having twelve jurors for trials.

Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

in I Corinthians 12:8-11. The gifts as listed in Corinthians are manifestations of the Spirit, while the ascension gifts are manifestations of Jesus. One must be baptized in the Holy Spirit to operate in the gifts of the Spirit; however, it may not be necessary (although, it would be prudent) to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to operate as one of the ascension gifts.

A person may have any or all of the gifts of the Spirit operating in his life but not be appointed by Jesus in any of the five primary ministries. For example, a person can have the gift of prophecy and prophesy on a regular basis, but still not be a prophet. We need to be clear about this in order to eliminate confusion in this area.

We see the first appointment of the third class of apostles at Antioch.

Acts 13:1-4 NASB (1) Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

(2) While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

(3) Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

(4) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, selected Barnabas and Saul for a work. After acknowledgment and commissioning by the others, they were sent out by the Holy Spirit. After being sent out, these two are then called apostles (Acts 14:4; 14). Prior to being sent out they were prophets and teachers, but the act of sending them out caused them to become apostles.

The sender (in conjunction with the Holy Spirit) was the local church at Antioch represented by the prophets and teachers, who were probably the elders (although the Scriptures don't say that they were).

However, just because Barnabas and Paul had been sent out didn't mean that their relationship with the church in Antioch was no longer of any importance.

When Barnabas and Paul completed the work that they were sent to accomplish, they returned to Antioch and gave account of all that had been done.

Acts 14:26-27 NASB (26) From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.

(27) When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

This shows that there is an ongoing relationship between the apostles and the local church which sent them out. The local church acknowledged and endorsed the apostles, which reveals a responsibility for them as to their character, conduct and calling. The apostles were not autocrats; but, instead, were subject to the discipline of the local church that sent them forth. The commissioning local church could withdraw its endorsement of its apostles if their morals, ethics, or conduct became questionable and they refused correction from the elders that sent them out. Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

This doesn't mean that the local church directed the work of the apostles in any manner. The apostles were directly responsible to the Lord concerning their work and the manner in which it was to be performed.

Others Called Apostles There are a number of others in the New Testament who are called apostles; but, due to inconsistency in the translations (especially the King James), the Greek word for apostle is not always translated as “apostle” but is sometimes translated as “messenger”. Here are two examples of this.

2 Corinthians 8:23 NASB (23) As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers [apostolos=apostles] of the churches, a glory to Christ.

Philippians 2:25 NASB (25) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger [apostolos=apostle] and minister to my need;

In these scriptures Titus is called an apostle of the churches and Epaphroditus is called an apostle from the Philippian Church.

Because of the tremendous apostolic work done by Paul, we tend to think that anyone who is an apostle must also do such powerful work. But, in spite of the way we think, not all apostles are of the same ability or stature as Paul.

2 Corinthians 11:5 NASB (5) For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

From this verse we can see that there are some eminent apostles, which also implies that there are some who are not so eminent. As with other ministries, there is a wide range of abilities and consecration resulting in varying degrees of success of the apostolic work.

Paul also mentions a couple of other apostles which he considered to be outstanding.

Romans 16:7 NASB (7) Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Again, these two were outstanding among the apostles, which implies that there were others that were ordinary or even mediocre apostles.

The Calling of an Apostle Many have searched the Scriptures looking for an apostolic gift and have not found one. This is because there isn't an apostolic gift. There is no gift that makes you an apostle. An apostle is a person and it is the person of an apostle that is given by Jesus to His people. As such an apostle has to be called by the Lord and commissioned or appointed by the Holy Spirit with an acknowledgment and a

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 5

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

sending out by the local Elders.

Romans 1:1 NASB (1) Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 Timothy 1:11 NASB (11) for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

1 Timothy 2:7 NASB (7) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

We see the pattern for how this is done when we look at Acts Chapter 13. Since this is the only detailed example in the Scriptures about people being sent out as apostles, we can assume that all that we need to know about the methodology is contained in these scriptures. There is no indication that the Lord has changed His methods since then. We should expect the same procedures to apply today.

We should notice in Acts 13 that it was the prophets and teachers that were assembled and it was from this group that Paul and Barnabas were selected by the Lord. The implication is that apostles only come forth from those who already have a proven ministry as prophets and teachers. They didn't stop being prophets and teachers, but the sending forth as apostles added a new dimension and responsibility to their ministries.

We should also notice that they were sent forth as a team. Apostles always functioned in the plural and sometimes their teams were quite large. Even when Paul and Barnabas split up as a team over the issue of John Mark, they assembled new teams. Barnabas took John Mark as part of his team and Paul took Silas (later adding Timothy). Paul refers to his apostolic team in the first verse of I Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NASB (1) Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Most people don't realize it, but all three of these (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) wrote the book of Thessalonians together. While we only think of Paul as an apostle, all three of them are referred to as apostles in the second chapter of Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 NASB (6) nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

Another example of apostolic teams is in Acts 8. This chapter about Phillip in Samaria is the pattern for the work of the Evangelist, which will be discussed later. For now, notice that Phillip worked alone. He didn't have a team, just the power of God. He preached Christ, performed miracles, healed the sick, cast out devils and baptized those who believed in water. This describes the fullness and the limits of the Evangelist's ministry. After baptizing the believers, Phillip moved on by the direction of the Holy Spirit.

When those in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received Christ under Phillip's ministry, they sent two Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 6

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

apostles, Peter and John, to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. To complete God's work in Samaria required one evangelist and two apostles. (You can also contrast the fact the evangelist went but the apostles were sent.)

In Galatians 2 we have an example of the meeting of two apostolic teams. Paul, Barnabas, and Titus went to Jerusalem to meet with a second apostolic team of James, Peter and John. The apparent purpose of the meeting was to discuss Paul's calling to the Gentiles and to express the gospel of grace which Paul was preaching. The two teams parted in complete unity concerning God's working among the Jews and the Gentiles.

Based on a careful reading of the Word, it appears to be un-scriptural for an apostle to act alone. As a matter of fact, apostles, prophets and shepherds are always referred to in the plural, never as a singular ministry. Why? Because, of the five primary ministries, these three deal with church order and government. This is so important that the Lord doesn't entrust it to only one person. Plurality is God's safety feature. If we would just obey this principle, it would save us from a lot of the problems that we have today.

Requirements for an Apostle Because of an emphasis on the grace of God in the new birth and our walk with Him, we sometimes neglect the fact that we have to qualify for ministry and leadership.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB (27) but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

For what did Paul think he could be disqualified? Not eternal life but rather his reward. The reward is tied to our faithfulness in service and calling.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NASB (12) Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (13) each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

(14) If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.

(15) If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Our reward is based on the quality of our work. Paul did not want to be disqualified because of inferior work. If Paul thought that disqualification could apply to him, then the rest of us had better pay attention!

All of the five primary ministries have qualifications that have to do with our character and the manner in which we live.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB (1) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling

Š 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 7

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

with which you have been called, (2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, (3) being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Walking worthy begins with humility, to which we add gentleness and patience. These are some of the primary attributes of the character of Jesus and are absolutely required before Jesus will allow us to function in any of the primary ministries.

Paul emphasizes character when he speaks of the signs of an apostle.

2 Corinthians 12:12 NASB (12) The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

Perseverance, which is a character trait, is the primary sign of true apostles. The miraculous signs are secondary. (We tend to reverse this and look at the miracles first.) More than anything else, an apostle has to persevere in the purpose and calling of God because he is resisted from every side.

The Function of an Apostle The work of an apostle combines the functionality of all of the other five primary ministries with the working of miracles, signs and wonders. In any given situation, the apostolic ministry could be hard to distinguish from the other ministries. However, there is a specific function of apostles that is not applicable to any other ministry.

1 Corinthians 3:10 NASB (10) According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.

The word that is translated “wise” also means “skilled”, which is probably a better translation in this context. “Master builder” is one word in the original, architekton, which means “architect”. So, the apostles are the “skilled architects” of God's building program. They function as the supervisors of the building of the Temple of the Living God, as architects of the Church.

It is the architects which lay out the building plans and interpret them for the workers. The plans not only specify shape and function, but they also specify the proper building materials. That is what apostles do. They set up and maintain church order. The seal of apostolic ministry is a completed, functioning ekklesia—assembly of God's people.

Paul told the Corinthians that the Church of Corinth was his validation as an apostle.

1 Corinthians 9:2 NASB (2) If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

A fully functioning, properly established, completed local Church is proof positive of one's apostolic calling. (Getting a building and starting a “work” is not necessarily a properly established church. In

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 8

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

most cases, this does not follow God's building plans. There are many “works”, which we call “church” that God doesn't recognize as His Church.)

Two Types of Apostles for Today Besides the three categories of apostles that we discussed earlier in this lesson, there are two types of apostolic functions contained in the last category of those appointed by the Holy Spirit. These two types are those sent to the believers and those sent to the lost. These are epitomized by Peter and Paul.

These two types of apostles function differently and it would help us sort through some of the issues today if we understood the differences.

Two types of apostles during the Church age: 1. Peter type—sent to the people of God, beginning with the Jews and later the believers 2. Paul type—sent to the Gentiles and pagans The authority and accountability of these two types are distinctly different. You have authority over that for which you are responsible and you are accountable for that over which you have authority.

The Paul Type The Paul type of apostle is sent forth with his initial calling and commissioning as in Acts 13. He operates in a more independent manner than the Peter type because he is going into new territory and planting the seed of the Church. After the initial commissioning or sending forth, the Paul type of apostle goes forth based on his desire and the leading of the Spirit. He selects his team based on the availability, leading of the Spirit, and the territory to which he is traveling. He sometimes will break his team into sub-team groups and direct them to different places. After a particular trip, he will sometimes dissolve or semi-dissolve his team and create another with different team members. All of this is done without recourse to the commissioning body—it is the responsibility of the apostle. The Paul Type is responsible for his team, which means that he has authority and accountability for them.

The commissioning assembly is responsible for the character of the one sent NOT his work. The commissioning assembly can withdraw their endorsement if the character of the sent one comes into question; however, they are out of order if they try to control, manipulate, change, or direct the manner or the methodology of the apostolic work—that is between the apostle and the Lord.

The Paul apostle type is doing work in new territory. This work usually goes beyond or is different than the work of the commissioning assembly. Otherwise, there would be no need of apostles—they are the pioneers. God directs them into new areas where others haven't been and appoints a territory for them in which they are to work.

2 Corinthians 10:13-16 NASB (13) But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

(14) For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 9

Government of God Series

Lesson 5

(15) not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, (16) so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.

The Peter Type The Peter Type differs from the Paul type in that he goes to those who are already familiar with God. Today, that would be the typical Institutional Church or House Church assembly. Since the Peter Type works with or in an already existing group of believers, he functions as a co-elder8 with the group's elders to accomplish his work. Within a local assembly, the elders are the ones responsible to God for the flock and are accountable to the Lord for them. No one should come in to minister to the flock in any capacity without co-operation from the elders. (Of course, not all who call themselves elders are actually elders).

Since the responsibility of the Peter Type is limited so is the authority limited. The Peter Type does NOT exercise the same degree of authority over a flock as does the Paul Type, which founded the work and started the flock. The Paul Type is a father to the assembly while the Peter Type is more of an elder brother. Likewise, their authority functions in a manner that is similar to their relationship to the flock.

What we have today is a bunch of Peter Type apostles who want to think of themselves as Paul Types and, as a consequence, cause great damage to people's lives because of the improper use of authority and accountability and a shallow understanding of the ways of the Kingdom of God. They run around wanting to “set things in order” and exercise authority that they don't have. The Peter type of apostle must work with the Elders of the flock for it is the Elders who must give an account9 to God for the flock over which the Lord has made them overseers, not the apostle.

8 I Peter 5:1 9 Hebrews13:17

© 2004-2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 10

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

Kingdom Government—Prophets Introduction In previous lessons we have stated that the so-called five-fold ministry constitutes the functioning government of the Kingdom of God. The five-fold minsters are gifts of men from the Lord Jesus to His people to perform the function of equipping the believers for their work and for the building up of the body of Christ.1 In some spiritual sense, the five-fold ministry or the ascension ministries of Jesus are the “shoulders” of Jesus upon which the government rests.2 It is important that we understand how these ministries function.

Definition of Prophet First we need to understand that a new testament prophet is different than an old testament prophet. This lack of understanding is creating a number of difficulties within the assembly of God's people. In terms of the old testament prophet, neither his work or nor his function exists today. Any attempt to emulate old testament prophets leads to problems. Why do I say this?

Under the Old Covenant, God dealt with and spoke to His people through three primary channels.

1. Priests. The priests provided for righteous relationship with God by helping with sacrifices and offerings as required by God. 2. Judges. The judges provided for righteous relationship between the people of God by their acts of righteous judgment according to the Law of God. 3. Prophets. The prophets provided for righteous conduct as a nation by their prophecies concerning the moral requirements of God. The prophets spoke to the people on behalf of God. If a person needed to make a sacrifice or offering, he went to a priest. If a person needed a conflict or disagreement resolved, he went to a judge. If a person needed to inquire of the Lord, he went to a prophet so that the prophet could make an inquiry so that he would receive direction as to what he should do. Therefore, besides their prophetic function to the nation, individuals would seek out the prophet for a personal word from God. However, Jesus changed all of that under the New Covenant. We are now a kingdom of priests3 1 Ephesians 4:11-12 2 Isaiah 9:6-7 3 I Peter 2:9

© 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 1

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

and we all should function as priests (even though, we don't because we have never been taught).

We are all judges because we will judge the world and angels4 (even though, we go to court instead of receiving judgment by the saints). We all can prophesy by the Holy Spirit for exhortation, edification, and comfort5 (even though, we don't because we either don't believe it or we haven't been taught).

Hebrews tells us clearly of this transition.

Hebrews 1:1-2 NASB (1) God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, (2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Everything that God desires to speak to us now comes in Jesus. We are told in Revelation that the “. . . testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”6. Jesus told us that He would send us the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father, who would be a helper to us.

John 14:26 NASB (26) "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

The Holy Spirit will teach us and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said. This is an aspect of the prophetic that is now being fulfilled by the Holy Spirit, Himself.

John 15:26 NASB (26) "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, The Holy Spirit will testify about Jesus. This fits with “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”. The Holy Spirit is fulfilling the prophetic role for us.

John 16:13 NASB (13) "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

The Holy Spirit will guide us into truth, will only speak what He hears God say, and He will disclose future things to us. Again, the Holy Spirit is fulfilling prophetic functions for us. We longer need to search out a prophet to inquire of the Lord. The Holy Spirit, Himself, speaks to us directly of the things of the Lord, His direction and plan for our lives.

4 I Corinthians 6:2-3 5 I Corinthians 14:3, 31 6 Revelation 19:10

© 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 2

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

Since the Lord has sent the Holy Spirit to us, many of the prophetic functions of the Old Covenant have been distributed by the Holy Spirit as gifts to His people7. Except for tongues and interpretation, all of the gifts of the Spirit were manifest in the old testament prophets.

One of the things that we learn from this is that prophesying does not make you a new testament prophet. All of us who have received the Holy Spirit can prophesy as the Spirit wills, or have a word of knowledge, or discern spirits. Therefore, a new testament prophet must be something different than one who just gives prophecies, even if prophecies are given on a regular basis.

So the function of a new testament prophet is contained within the same purpose or reason that the five-fold ministry was given by the Lord when He ascended.

Ephesians 4:12 NASB (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; A new testament prophet sees the potential in a believer as it relates to God's calling and work.

He is to help equip the believer to accomplish God's calling and work. The prophet's work is not so much directive as it is confirming what God has already put into a person. He is also a part of the construction workers who are involved in the building of God's spiritual temple, which is made up of living stones.

The Work of a Prophet Because of what was said earlier, we need to understand that the old testament work of a prophet has been taken by the Holy Spirit and diffused and distributed to the entire Body. New testament prophets do not, normally, give direction, that is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. We are to be led by the Spirit of God.8 An example of this is given in Acts by the interaction of Agabus, a new testament prophet, and Paul.

Acts 21:10-11 NASB (10) As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

(11) And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

Notice that Agabus did not direct Paul in any way. He simply demonstrated what the Holy Spirit was saying would happen. It was up to Paul to hear the Spirit and act according. It was Paul's decision to go or not go to Jerusalem. It was up to Paul to decide if this was a warning to stay away from Jerusalem or a preparatory word so that Paul would be prepared and know that this 7 I Corinthians 12:7-11 8 Romans 8:14

Š 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 3

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

was in the will of the Lord.

New testament prophets are usually teamed up with apostles, teachers, or other prophets. This is the Lord's safety measure. Jesus did not intend for the five-fold ministries to operate individually but to function as a team so as to bring forth the full manifestation of Jesus.

New testament prophets in conjunction with the other ministries function in relation to the whole Body and the purposes of God and His Kingdom. Their words, in practice, should be corporate words as it relates to God's current will and moving in the earth. While there may be an individual, personal word occasionally, that is not the focus of a new testament prophet.

Prophet Problems There is no such thing as the office of a prophet in the new testament. This terminology is misleading and implies an organizational structure with associated authority positions. What is appropriate in the new testament is the function of a prophet, which implies an organism (the Body of Christ) with proper organic processes.

Because there has been a void of prophetic functions in the Body, many have rushed to fill it.

They have thought of a prophet's office as a high rank in the army of God or a high position in the Kingdom of God. As a consequence they have thought of themselves more highly than they ought to have done.

Romans 12:3 NASB (3) For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Notice that proper evaluation of yourself leads to sound judgment while thinking more of yourself than you should leads to unsound or improper judgment. There are many who are using the Scriptures and their own desire for honor and the esteem of men to exalt themselves to positions of unquestioned obedience, thinking themselves to be infallible when they “have a word� for someone. They are out of balance, leading many astray, and leaving destroyed lives in their path.

Prophets had prominent ministry and visibility in the old testament but much of that has been distributed to others in the new. Prophets are just one of the ascension gifts of Jesus in Ephesians four. Like all of the other ascension gifts, one is not more important than another. At various times each function is needed and some are needed more than others at particular times, but there is no ranking hierarchy of importance.

The Lord is building His house, His temple, out of living stones and He is using His ascension gifts to do the work under the direction of the Holy Spirit. When you are constructing a house, different workers with different skills are needed at different times. When laying the foundation, Š 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 4

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

the foundation workers are the most important. When completing the roof, the roofing workers are the most important. And so it is with the electrical, the plumbing, the finish carpentry, etc.

Each worker has a job to do at the appropriate time. Some can't do their work until others have completed theirs.

I think that the scriptures present that to us in these verses: 1 Corinthians 12:28 NASB (28) And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

The Greek word that is translated “appointed” in this verse is translated “laid” 22 times in the New American Standard Bible. This is a building term and is the same word that is translated as “laid” in referring to a foundation in this verse: 1 Corinthians 3:10 NASB (10) According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.

In light of this, the meaning of I Cor. 12:28 is not a ranking of authority as some teach, but instead an order of function—first things first, then second things second, etc. This is in complete agreement with the Lord building His Church and the functions of the workers as it is done.

There is work to be done. We need to get on with it and quit playing the “I'm more important than you” game. We do not need ingrown ministries that dilly-dally around with feel good words and the acclaim of men.

They Call Themselves Prophets True prophets are called by God. One has to have the Father's heart before the Lord will permit him to move into Kingdom ministry. Functioning in the government of God without having a Father's heart leads to dictatorial behavior and mis-applied Kingdom principles.

In Revelation when Jesus is addressing the angel of the church of Thyatira, one of the problem issues was in the area of the prophetic.

Revelation 2:20 NASB (20) 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

The language is figurative in terms of labeling this issue “the woman Jezebel”. This type of spirit

© 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 5

Government of God Series

Lesson 6

can be male or female. One of the key factors is that she calls herself a prophetess. She is selfappointed and not God appointed. The end result is that she leads God's people astray.

There are many self-appointed prophets and prophetesses running around today bringing “words” to anyone and everyone. They are usually self-appointed because someone tried to correct them and they responded with the “I speak for God and you won't hear” syndrome.

Some consider themselves appointed by God because their mutual admiration society spoke over them and “sent” them, or, using their terminology, “released” them. Is there anything scriptural in this procedure. Only apostles are “sent”; that is the very meaning of the word “apostle”. Do we find anywhere in the New Testament an example of someone being “released” as a prophet?

I don't think so. Most of what we call “releasing” is a fleshly or carnal need for recognition.

We have scriptural examples of laying on of hands to impart a spiritual gift or for the recognition of an Elder but not anything about “releasing” a prophet. One is a prophet because he begins to function as a prophet by the Spirit. The gift makes room for the person.

© 2006 Art Nelson

Lifestream Teaching Ministries

Page 6