The English word apostle is from the Greek word “apostolos,” which actually means a delegate, a messenger, a sent one or one sent forth with orders. And in the true sense of the word, everyone that has heard the call of God and has gone forth in obedience to that call is termed a sent one.
Jesus said to the disciples after He had risen from the dead; “as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Jesus was sent by God. He was God’s apostle and now He sends us. We are His sent ones. (See John 20:21 and Hebrews 3:1, NKJV).
The Apostle Today
Today in Christendom, we know many men and women of God with the title. No doubt there are sent ones but I will not attempt in this writing to say who is and who is not known by its fruit. Our definition and explanation of the word “apostle” above, already sets the boundary for that. But the question we seek to answer today is: what is the mark of a true apostle?
I will tell you what I believe it is from the word of God. Let’s see a passage of the Scripture that truly defines what the marks of the Office are, and I will pinpoint what I believe the very true mark is. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12, KJV).
True Signs of a Sent One
Truly the signs (marks) of the apostle were accomplished among you, Paul said, in signs, wonders and miracles. Truly, what set a ‘sent one’ apart are miracles, wonders and signs. If you look at the life of the disciples Peter or Paul, you would see all that.
If you look around today, you would see all of those signs in some servants of God. You will already have the proof of who they really are. But the one point I want to bring out is the word “patience.” Paul said, the signs of the calling, were wrought among you “in all patience.”
I personally believe that the first and foremost sign of apostleship is patience. You can have all the miracles and signs and wonders that you want. Anybody called and anointed of God can have that.
Even servants of Satan have pseudo-miracles, but the true test of all is PATIENCE. They do not pride themselves in miracles, signs and in wonders as much as in patience. Let me put it to you straight: their greatest strength should be patient-endurance.
Do you Walk in Patience
Paul said that he worked those signs, wonders and miracles IN ALL PATIENCE. That was the underlining factor. That was his strength. Otherwise, he would have made a wreck of his apostleship. Oh, how much believers need patience today!
Perhaps the reason we don’t have lasting impressions and impact in our world today, as the early apostles had is, because of this craze for instant Office titles? Let me tell you something: miracles, signs and wonders are worked. That implies a process. It takes time to fully develop a person in this office, and it also takes time to continue the workings
Having done all to stand, stand having your loins girt about with PATIENCE.