A successful transition in the present restoration of God is greatly determined by the measure of our relationship with an apostolic family that God places us in. An apostolic family is orchestrated by God as a means to create spiritual stability and systematic growth in the things that God is doing in this season and the present truths being revealed and declared.
The Kingdom is about God’s family and not a particular denomination. A denomination represents a set of beliefs and values. The primary focus is centered on doctrines. The family is centered on a father who raise up seeds (Sons) with a specific assignment from God.
Some churches start as a family and later digress into a denominational system. In these systems, people are restricted and remain unskilled. Proper sonship is not produced in the absence of true father and son relationship.
Many have been wounded, abused and ill treated in the house of God and in the work of the ministry through the concept of father and son relationship. Heart attitudes, rebellion and relational problems have developed as a result of this. This must be resolved as apostolic restoration brings truth. Broken hearts are to be healed and restored in a proper biblical manner through love, acceptance and forgiveness. Restoration of relationship must take place for us to progress in God’s purpose. We must find a place for forgiveness and restoration.
Spiritual Fathers and Sons:
The apostolic and five-fold ministry is gaining momentum, yet the role and function of true spiritual father and son relationship in the apostolic reformation is unclear.
Those with problems and unsettled issues with leadership authority in terms of relationship strain and injury; I mean those who are not relational and not willing to acknowledge and submit to leadership authority, they find it difficult to accept this concept. They have a heart attitude and relational problem that they need to deal with first as leaders. Their broken heart needs to be healed and restored in a proper biblical way of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Many have been abused and ill-treated by others in leadership who claim to be fathers and mentors and this has caused a relational problem and attitude with the concept and idea of father-hood.
Some of the abuses have come through what many call “Apostolic Covering”. The term “Apostolic Covering” is not found in scripture. However, it is a godly process whereby orphan ministers and ministries come into true covenant relationship with matured spiritual fathers and apostolic leaders. To bring apostolic covering is to cast one’s grace and anointing over another to shield, hold accountable and spiritually protect. The principle of apostolic covering makes way for impartation, acceptance and sonship. This results in ministers being properly discipled and released into the work of God.
However, we need to have the true and correct mind-set, pattern and principle to function and bring apostolic covering over others, because the fact remains that Jesus Christ is the headship and covering for His Church and His people. Leaders are empowered by the Holy Spirit to provide apostolic covering as they represent Christ. Walking or relating with the principle and mindset of an apostolic covering gives room for us to receive impartation and come into sonship and acceptance.
In his relationship with Onesimus, the apostle Paul walked with the mindset of an apostolic covering.
“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” (Philemon 1:10-21).
The apostle Paul knew the fundamental ethos of a father and a son relationship is protection and covering. He displayed this ethos in his letter to Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus and to the church in their house. Paul urged them to receive his spiritual son even though in times past Onesimus was unprofitable to them. This is the heart of a father in relationship with his son by means of an apostolic covering and therein is acceptance, protection and reverence.
Copyright © 2017 by Israel Onoriobe
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