Another function of those called to be apostles is to “set in order” within the local church. Paul states in Titus 1:5, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained in order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you…” We have already looked at the role of the apostle in recognizing callings and gifting – the grace of God on the lives of individuals. Here Paul mentions yet another aspect of the ministry of apostles – to set in order.

The apostle Paul sent Titus to Crete to set things in order. God has a standard for all believers and an even higher one for leaders (see Titus 1:5-9). Leaders were to set the standard and then model it. Leaders are not qualified on the basis of natural ability, intelligence, or education but on the basis of calling, moral and spiritual character and the ability to teach with skill as the Holy Spirit sovereignty has equipped them.

Titus was to correct wrong doctrine and practices in the Cretan churches, a task that apparently Paul had been unable to complete during his time there. This ministry of “setting in order” is mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament.

When a local church is out of order (doctrine, morals, character, leadership), the apostle will discern it and then set to work so as to bring things into correct biblical order. Apostolic ministry is necessary to set order in the Church and maintain that order. The Kingdom of God operates through divine order and authority. Apostles have God’s authority to set things in order. This is often an unpleasant function but a necessary one. Setting in order can mean correcting, rebuking, and removing people from certain positions.

It includes making adjustments in leadership, doctrine, vision or spiritual priorities. It also includes dealing with sin, rebellion, disobedience and confusion which often gains a foothold in the church. Apostles also deal with strife, division and carnality that manifests in the saints. When things are out of order in our lives and churches, apostolic preaching and teaching will confront it and correct it. The apostles have the grace, boldness and authority to confront and correct. This grace and authority comes from God and not man although it functions within established and trusted relationships.

Apostles are bishops (overseers) of local churches and thus are often seen functioning as leader or heading up a network or union of churches. However, just because someone is overseeing local churches or a complete network or union does not necessarily mean that they are functioning as apostles. This is a calling of the Lord Jesus upon a person and thus the call upon the overseer’s life to be an apostle must be recognized and acknowledged so that those to whom he is ministering can receive the apostolic anointing under which he ministers. Some fulfill the function without the call doing so because of their abilities and skills and often because there has not been an apostle available or willing to do the work.

The word bishop that appears a number of times in the New Testament simply means overseer. To oversee means to survey, watch, inspect, examine, supervise (Webster). When Judas lost his apostleship, he lost his BISHOPRICK (Acts 1:20 KJV) The “bishoprick” is an office, work, charge, or position of being an overseer. The word bishoprick is the Greek word episkope meaning inspection. To inspect means to examine officially.

Apostles have the official right to inspect the churches they plant and oversee. This responsibility and work is done relationally as all ministry should arise out of relationships that have been tried and tested over many seasons of ministry. Their “official right” to oversee is not based on their title or position as this is the lowest level of leadership. It should be based on their character and long-term productivity in the ministry. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, their faithfulness and their fruitfulness.

This inspection includes correction based on correctly perceiving or sensing the spiritual health of the local congregation and the aspects of the on-going life of the local church that need to be addressed. They are not called to dominate and control the saints. When spirits of domination and control manifest through an apostle, deliverance is needed to avoid judgment from the Lord. The Lord is the Bishop of our souls. Apostles, along with other ministry gifts, are responsible to bishop (oversee) the saints with love, wisdom, and a great deal of patience.

Guest blogger – Bill Lewis (Ralph’s mentor)

Defence of Marriage
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

It seems surreal to be writing an article of this nature, this topic. To live in a world so turned upside down causes pain.

To have to defend marriage as one man and one woman is so bizarre that it defies logic. The preternatural bonds introduced and expected by the homosexual movement are militant. There is a rage and a special interest that is driven by lust and greed. All the rage and lust is dressed up in tolerance and equality. But since we have no moral compass anymore, it all sounds good and can be debated on the grounds of pluralism and personal rights.

However, we have a moral compass and it is the express, written word of God. The Bible states that a man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh. He also stated the purpose of this union was for them to be fruitful and multiply besides the joy of companionship and oneness. The propagation of humanity was planned through the loving relationship of a mother and father, husband and wife. Just because there are bad marriages and bad parents does not nullify God’s plan. There is no way that same sex marriages will ever be fruitful and multiply unless we leave the world of choice and love and move into a “Brave New World” as described by Huxley. Sure, we are at the place of genetic engineering and there can be and will be the petrie dish babies that are programmed for various slots in the Utopian hell that will be created. We will also end up with the “Soilant Green” disposal of the aged with its utilitarian euthanasia.

The world is on extremely dangerous thin ice. The ethical and moral standards are being obliterated as society marches toward anarchy and judgment. If I recall correctly, this very problem brought about a fiery rain from heaven and destroyed two city states. If I recall correctly, it was the last days of the Roman Empire that were filled with this kind of issue.

I am so disappointed in our elected officials. For political expediency from the president to congressmen, they have caved into the pressure and the money behind the movement and just because your son or daughter has chosen a path of homosexuality, does not mean that you change your stance. The word remains true. You should love your child, but truth is still truth. If your child becomes a murderer, do you now condone and support murder? The logic in all this is missing.

There is a huge push for this as well on an economic basis. The implications for state support, inheritances, taxes, and health care are all in this mix. The more Socialism creeps into our nation, the harder the press for the distribution of benefits will be. As one writer put it, who will be next to push their agenda? Will the Mormons lineup and begin to push for polygamy on the basis of my rights? If you let homosexuals redefine marriage, who will be next? When will it stop? There is no stopping point anymore because we have no standard to measure ourselves by. The Bureau of Standards is closed. This so does remind me of the reason for the flood, “Everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes.”