The apostolic reformation is pricking the heart of men and women today and the question is what is it? When the children of Israel were given manna in the wilderness, their question was, “what is it?” Manna in the Hebrew is translated “man” and it is a question.
“When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.” (Exodus 16:15 – New International Version).
The apostolic reformation is a term used to define the present-truth work of God in the Church today through an apostolic ministry. The present move is a fresh advance of the Holy Spirit in the earth to order and reposition the Church for Kingdom advancement.
Characterized by change of function and leadership structure, the apostolic reformation challenges the mindsets, beliefs, relationships, attitudes, and operation of the Church. Apostolic reformation attains a higher level of maturity and revelation, understanding and alignment with Kingdom purposes. It stretches us to attain accuracy and significant accomplishment.
The transitional shift into an apostolic reformation has brought about the reform of doctrines and the theology of men in a bid to clearly and accurately define scriptures in order to bring a balance in line with the mind of Christ. This has created some dissensions. This dissent of revelation and theology has brought about a disagreement with the popular opinion of the majority. Basically, revealed truth has been framed as incorrect theology, especially by those of traditional church up-bring.
In past reformations, dissensions occurred, yet in the fullness of time, revelation and reformation was accepted. Time is the key that unlocks revelation. So it will be with the present apostolic reformation of theology, eschatological doctrines and teachings.
However it is important that we resound this; the apostolic movement is alive and well, and will accomplish the purpose of God in the Church and in the earth. God will not defer reformation for any reason of our mental faculty, or oblige to any form of human compromise and indulgence. If it is of the Spirit, no one will be able to resist the wisdom by which we speak.
If the present reformation of theology is of God, no man or denomination will be able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which we speak. Though men and organizations are suborned against the truth and boldly say the apostolic reformation is migrating into error and apostasy, yet the word will prevail. It will only fail when it is false. I’m not saying that everything that is taught by the different streams of apostolic ministries and ministers are the truth, as I recognize that many are being taking by the devil himself into high mountains, and satan is giving them new revelations as well. See to it that you do not validate the false as well as not speak against the truth; least you enter into a fight with the program and purposes of God.
We should refrain from the new apostolic reformation if we do not have an understanding of what it is. Do nothing against it and don’t become critics. If what is done is something of self, it will fail, but if it be of the Lord, we cannot stop it anyway, unless we want to fight against God.
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed (Christ – The Corporate Son), saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”. (Psalms 2:1–5 brackets mine).
Vain imaginations against God’s reformation are empty, fruitless and vain. Some will cling to the former things because of lack of understanding.
“Think over (consider, reflect on or take into account) what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” (2 Timothy 2:7 New Revised Standard Version – brackets mine).
The lack of understanding of the declaration of the apostolic reformation and the message of the Kingdom seems to be threatening the foundations of past moves and ministry establishments, and this has created a strong resistance against the movement. We need to think over (reconsider, reflect on or take into account) accurately the apostolic reformation and the revelations of the unveiled word. The more we understand the apostolic dimension and the message of the Kingdom; we will learn to appreciate and grasp the movement and become a part of this great shift of God.
Because of the lack of understanding, many are rejecting this great reformation and they are embracing the old order. The Holy Spirit will only reveal new things and unveil fresh revelations when we have an open mind to consider what is being said. If we are close-minded and judgmental of the apostolic reformation and the restoration of the apostles’ doctrines, then we will become hypercritical and remain stagnant without flowing with the Holy Spirit and what God is doing.
The apostolic reformation has the grace and unique ability to execute and carry out the prophetic plans and purposes of God in finishing the apostolic work and commission upon the Church. The present apostolic reformation is very confrontational in its bid to adjust and re-modify the mindset of Church leadership and the handling of the word. Conversely the present state of mind of the Church is bound in the traditions and cultures of religion. There is a strong eschatological ethnicity that captivates the attitude and the opinion of the way of thinking that must be fine-tuned. This is what the apostolic reformation is all about. Our perspective and deportment is challenged in light of the apostolic revelation and doctrine.
“But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” (Galatians 2:14).
In the absence of authentic apostolic ministry and divine order, the Church has been led from truth. There has been little precision in the word. Only few are willing to walk in candor (straightforwardness and forthrightness) of the word as modern day Pharisees gather against the present apostolic reformation.
This move of God is divinely mandated to declare a new word of revelation. The new word cannot be judged by the old word. The new word will manifest and establish the Kingdom of God in the earth.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women” (Acts 17:11-12).
God’s word endures and He will manifest His purpose in the earth. Openness of mind to receive and believe the word will result in confirmation of what God is saying in this present reformation. We must be ready to lay aside doctrines that conflict with scripture. We do not look into the scripture in the light of our personal view and understanding of doctrine, as it will bring a conflict with the word. Any doctrine that conflicts the scripture must be changed or laid aside, because it is wrong and dangerous.
The Kingdom message is not just “educational”, but it is “maturational”. God intends to grow us up, not just wanting to wise us up. The reformation message of the Kingdom is a “seasonal word” that is relevant for the Body of Christ today, though there is skepticism due to lack of understanding, and of the direction it seems to be going, but in due season, God will manifest His true purpose and agenda as things are made clearer.
God intends to grow and mature His Church. The reformation message of the Kingdom is a “word in season” for the Body of Christ today. A breakthrough anointing is being released and no principality, nation or authority will stop the advancement of the Kingdom message. This anointing will tear down strongholds. God seeks to establish His Kingdom in the earth. The process of building in the Spirit involves pulling down of strongholds and establishing an apostolic and prophetic foundation upon which to build.
God is restoring apostles, and the apostolic nature of the Church. Becoming an apostolic people has to do with our attitude and lifestyle. Some leaders speak about apostolic reformation but think institutionally rather than relationally. Apostolic people walk in relationship. Unless we build relationally, we cannot be apostolic people. Apostolic people walk in power, authority, signs and wonders. Beyond these, the nature of an apostle is that of humility, gentleness and love. The authority of the apostles comes through submission.
The reformation of the Kingdom brings about an apostolic reconfiguration for the establishment of pragmatic truths in the Church. It is the release of “present truths”. There are “past truths” and “present truths”. If we are to come into the new things that God is doing, we need to leave behind past truths and come into the new day and season of God where present truths are released. The Church must be established in present truth. We have gone too far from true biblical order, truths and teachings and we have sought to establish our own traditional ecclesiastical order. This has affected the corporate Body and hinders the revelations of the purposes of God in the earth. One of the enemies and hindrances in seeing an apostolic order and reformation within the body is the tradition of men and denominational doctrines that have been set in place. We need to begin to do things God’s way. The pursuit of truth is the noblest responsibility that we have during this reformation season. As apostolic people, we must become purposely placed in God’s word and become spiritually balanced. Effective apostolic and prophetic ministry, as well as other ministry gifts must communicate balanced revelation truths and build upon the foundation that has been laid, with Jesus being the chief cornerstone. Apostolic and prophetic ministries must have their foundation on the word. Not just reading or studying the word, but understanding the mysteries of Christ, and His Kingdom, and they must be able to communicate present truths.
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” (2 Peter 1:10-12).
The apostolic reformation is still going through the process of establishment, maturity and perfection; and we should not give ourselves to the errors and mistakes of the past leaders and moves. One of the key defects to present truth is that some leaders who have no revelation of the Kingdom and the purposes of God for the earth at this time are try to teach it. The apostolic reformation must bring a clear distinction in structure and function for Kingdom advancement. If we continue to speak of what we do not know or have an understanding and revelation of, then we will produce nothing of accomplishment and quality in the earth that is of God.
A development of our Spirit man is required to be able to hear and communicate with God and His people. The purpose of God cannot be made clear to us if we are still spiritually immature, as we cannot comprehend them. The Church of God must not be led by children, but by men and women who understand the principles of spiritual leadership in this present season of reformation.
“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-11 NAS 1995 Edition).
The people will not be able to progress and grow beyond where they are if we do not have matured and full-fledged apostolic leaders to teach them the whole counsel of God. What we have seen is a constant feeding on milk and our “milk diet” has caused a deficiency and paucity in the present reformation. Too many boy-leaders and very few matured apostolic leaders. We cannot impart the next generation with that which we do not have; neither can we take the people of God beyond our present level.
We need strong apostolic and prophetic leadership that is able to stand in the heat of the battle and wage a good warfare of faith. We need to learn how to build in the Spirit and effectively pull down the strongholds of the enemy. Chocolate soldiers (ones who cannot endure) will melt in the heat of the spiritual battle.
It is important that the apostolic message and the revelation of the Kingdom should be simplified and made plain, so that the common and immature leaders and believers alike can grasp the truth with clear and accurate understanding. Much of our newly developed terminology and spiritual technology must be broken down to a simple understandable form, and enough time should be given to fully and clearly explain and impart present truth. We cannot just brush through the surface of a new revealed revelation and truth and expect everyone to know what we are saying. I think this is part of the problem of the leadership of the Church.
Apostolic leaders that have made full transition into the new move of God, and into the next level should be very careful not to become a hindrance to those who are yet to make the transition, and to those who are still yet to move into a new level. Our attitude and approach to them should be that of love and patience. We should not be egotistical and too authoritative, so that we don’t destroy, but rather we build; especially when it is outside our local ministry or assembly, where we do not have the time to seat down and systematically build and develop the people through the transition process.
In the midst of true and authentic reformers, there is the classification of those I call “parrot mouth ministers and ministries” taking upon themselves the cloth of a reformer. They know how to duplicate and copy words like a parrot, but cannot express the lifestyle or manifest the grace, and as a result they cannot impart anything of the mysteries of the life and stature of Christ. All they are good for is to access materials through means of modern technology, but they cannot really define revealed truth as they lack the power thereof.
We cannot be an apostolic reformer if we do not possess the Spirit, grace and character of a reformer; even though we speak like them and associate ourselves in the company of apostolic leaders. You will only have a Saul’s spirit who’s anointing flows from the verification and demands of men, rather than from the true source; this will result to your house getting weaker and weaker against the house of David, who is a true reflection of the reformation that is after God’s own heart. We cannot live in an apostolic dimension unless we have an apostolic grace. We cannot function in that office without the grace.
Copyright © 2017 by Israel Onoriobe
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