YOUR MISSION - SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT
by Dr. Martin Schmaltz
In Vol 1 No 3 of Apostolic Notes we presented the four components of what it means to be sent. We have covered the first: someone give the orders. The second component of being sent involves being commissioned to act.
A commission is; “an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts.” A clear example is seen in a military commission. “Commissioned officers in the military derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position. Wikipedia.”
Spiritually, apostolic authority is receiving a commission from Jesus himself in John 17:18, Jesus states: “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” AMP. In both instances the word sent is apostello, meaning to send out and it is from where we derive the term apostolic.
The centurion of Luke 7 understood his commission and was not afraid to exercise his authority. He states; “I am a man set under authority, I say to one go and he goes to another come and he comes.” This individual was operating according to his commission and those around him obeyed his authority.
Apostolic authority is only available when we are performing what we have been commissioned to do. We have written before of the failure of the sons of Sceva (martinshmaltz.blogspot.com) recorded in Acts 19:13-16. I believe the main reason for their failure was because they were attempting to operate in a manner and place that authority had not commissioned them to.
Many times we do not see the miraculous demonstration of the kingdom of God in our lives or our churches because we are attempting to operate according to our will. We may have pure motives and sincere desire, yet this does not compensate for the lack of commissioning. We step into areas of ministry that we have not been sent to or gifted for. Our churches start programs because WE think they are necessary, ultimately tying up resources that could be used in the areas of ministry He desires for us.
Apostolic authority is being commissioned by Jesus to perform specific duties that represent His kingdom. In Luke 10, Jesus commissions 70 of His disciples. The instructions given were specific; defining the place and people where they were to go, how they were to go, the message they were to preach and the demonstration of the authority they were given. This same process of commissioning was given in Matthew 10 to the 12 disciples. In both instances, we see a demonstration of the miraculous. In each case, the individuals were faithful to obey their commissioning, resulting in the ability to operate in apostolic authority.
As Jesus was apostello to the world so He has apostello us to fulfill His mission. There is a commissioning given for each of us to act in a manner that represents Jesus and His kingdom. It is when we are operating within the dictates of this commission that we can expect His authority to be evident in our lives.
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