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January/February 2009 Newsletter

APOSTLES' DOCTRINE

What is apostles' doctrine? This question is being debated in some circles and it seems there are many answers. The following teaching is taken from my book, Apostles Today , and is the introduction to Chapter 7.This teaching is given for your consideration.                                                                                                                                           Paul Galligan.

The Four Gospels

The first example of the apostles doctrine in the New Testament is the testimony of the four Gospel writers. Matthew and John were apostles of the Lamb and directly share their experience of Jesus. While there is no clear evidence that Mark and Luke were apostles [they could have been] in the ministry of the church they both worked with apostles very closely over a long period of time and passed on the teaching and testimony. The actual Gospels as written are primary apostolic doctrine. They include the actual teachings of the Lord Jesus and testimony of His acts.

The Gospel of Mark

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God   Mk 1:1. Mark's gospel is an amazingly compact testimony of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. The gospel is the good news which includes the promise of salvation and its fulfillment in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Gospel of John

John wrote his gospel as an eye witness of Jesus. He tells us why he wrote the gospel: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name  Jn.20:31. John wrote his gospel so that people could believe and be saved. Apostolic doctrine is teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:42) to the intent that the hearers come to the saving knowledge of God.

The Gospel of Luke

In introducing his gospel, Luke gives us important insights as to the nature of apostolic doctrine. He writes Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed to me also, having perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed  Lu.1:1-4.

1) a clear ordered narrative

Apostolic doctrine as expressed in Luke's gospel is a clear, ordered narrative [story] of the life, teaching and ministry of the Lord Jesus.

2) delivered by eyewitnesses

The gospel was delivered by eyewitnesses [the apostles of the Lamb] and ministers of the word [those apostles who were with Him but also including post-ascension apostles].

 

3) perfect understanding

Luke has received perfect understanding from the apostles' testimony. Remember Luke is a Gentile who became a disciple of Paul a number of years after Jesus' death and resurrection. This is encouraging for us today - we also can receive 'perfect understanding' by receiving the apostles' doctrine.

4) know the certainty of these things

Having been instructed, Luke is able to write an orderly account so that another may know the certainty of those things  which Luke has come to know from receiving apostolic teaching.

In 1John1:1-4, John talks in a similar way: the testimony of Jesus is shared by the apostles, the eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, so that we the hearers may come in to eternal life, which is fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 

Apostolic doctrine is to be passed on

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also  2Tim.2:2. Paul gives us a similar understanding of how apostolic doctrine is to be received and passed on to others. The apostle, who is an eyewitness [Paul said he had seen the Lord] and the minister of the word [Peter said the apostles must give themselves to the ministry of the word  Acts 6:4] teaches and trains others to become ministers [not all are apostles; this includes all five-fold ministers]. The ministers who have received from the apostle are then to pass on the apostolic doctrine to faithful men [neither male nor female] who will teach others.

There are meant to be at least three generations of inspired, trained teachers operating in the body of Christ: the apostles who train and impart to other ministers; then the ministers who train and impart to faithful men; the faithful men who teach others.

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew s gospel amongst other things, shows the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The interpretation of the Old Testament is an important aspect of apostolic doctrine. The book of Hebrews demonstrates this aspect of apostolic doctrine more fully as it is a total interpretation [showing the fulfillment] of Old Testament types and shadows. To understand this book one needs a good working knowledge of the Old Testament.

Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. (Matt.5:17) He declared that the law would be fulfilled. Jesus wants us to teach the word of God from the Old Testament prophetically.

 

Apostolic doctrine gives to the people of God the understanding of the law and of the commandments, of the prophets and the writings; to enable all to see and understand their fulfillment in Christ  (Matt.5:17-19).

 

We need to have the revelation of Christ and His church in the Old Testament so that we can teach the prophetic fulfillment in the New Testament. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself  Lu.24:27. Jesus confirmed to His apostles "these are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and Prophets and Psalms concerning Me.' And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures"  v44-45.

 

The Apostles' Doctrine in the Book of Acts

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers  Acts 2:42. The four things that they continued in are really the 'first works' of the early church. In Revelation 2, Jesus is writing to the church at Ephesus and in verse 4 He says, Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  In verse 5 He goes on to say, Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.  This church had lost its first love and was being told by Jesus to repent and do the first works again. In order to find out what the first works are, we need to look at the practice of the first church. The first church included the 120 believers, [including the 12 apostles of the Lamb], on whom the Holy Spirit fell on the Day of Pentecost and the 3000 men who had believed and were baptised on that day. These believers continued in the four things listed in Acts 2:42: the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. They continued in the fellowship of the apostles' doctrine, the fellowship of  breaking bread together and the fellowship of corporate prayer; as they continued in fellowship, there was a profound 'caring and sharing' among the believers (Acts 2:44-45).

If we continue steadfastly in these four things, the ongoing result will be that we will be in love with Jesus and we will not lose that love. It will increase every time we share the Lord's table; every time we come together in prayer and worship; every time we meet in faith filled fellowship, which cares and shares, meeting one another's needs, and every time we share the apostles doctrine, which is the teaching of the Word of God [the teaching which has been faithfully passed on by apostles]. This verse specifically says the apostles doctrine , not simply the teaching of the word. The word of God has been taught in some measure ever since the Reformation in the sixteenth century, but rarely has there been an apostle to teach the word in recent centuries. Therefore we need to understand what is the 'apostles' doctrine '?

 

Revelation of  the Word given to Apostles and Prophets

Basically the whole New Testament is the apostles doctrine, but the revelation of the word of God is given specifically to apostles and prophets (Eph.3:5). In these days we need apostles to be raised up in the anointing to teach the Scriptures. The Scriptures can be taught by pastors, teachers and evangelists, but a lot of key revelation is given to apostles and prophets. It is by a special dispensation of grace that apostles and prophets are able to bring forth the knowledge of the mystery. If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you  Eph.3:2.

Paul as an apostle had received a certain dispensation of grace. The outworking of that grace is verse 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.  The Lord Himself reveals to apostles and prophets the mystery. [This mystery is also referred to in 1Cor.2:6-16 & Col.1:24-29]. Paul had knowledge of the mystery of Christ and he shared and taught that knowledge. Each member of the body then receives grace by receiving the apostolic doctrine which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets  Eph.3:5. This mystery had not been revealed to Abraham or other men of God in the Old Testament. These Old Testament men cannot come into fulfillment until Jesus has raised up His church (Heb.11:40).

 

Making known the mystery

An essential element of apostolic doctrine that is being restored to the church today is the revelation of the mystery. This mystery is expressed in Eph.3:6 as oneness in Christ of both Jew and Gentile. This mystery is the mystery of the 'bride church'. Paul says in Eph.5:32 but I speak concerning Christ and the church . The mystery is 'the grace of God' that enables ministry; that saves us and that enables us to grow to maturity in Christ. There is a fellowship of the mystery which is made known to the saints through the preaching of the unsearchable mysteries of Christ . The fellowship of the mystery produces a church through which the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenlies  (Eph.3:8-10). Thy mystery is that the church will become a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ  Eph.4:13.

 

 

CALENDAR

 

February:

India -Myanmar trip

Sunday 1^st -Paul, Janet, Rhoda Truss, Nick Jackson and Robert Pitkin depart for ministry in

                      India.

2^nd -9^th ministry hosted by Michael Kongala in Ponnur area

10^th -13^th pastors conference in Vijayawada area in conjunction with Paul Disher and team

                  from Tamworth

14^th -19^th  ministry in Kerala State hosted by Dr Stanley Simon (Paul, Janet & Rhoda)

                   Ministry in Vishakapatnam hosted by Raja Sekhar (Nick & Robert)

19^th -26^th Nick & Robert in Kerala State - returning home from there

20^th -1^st March Paul, Janet and Rhoda to Myanmar

 

COMMUNITY SUNDAY at SHILOH

Sun 22^nd    9.30am Teaching

                   10.30am  Worship/Communion/Preaching followed by fellowship lunch

 

March:

Community weekend 6^th -8^th at SHILOH

Team from India and Myanmar will be home

Fri 6^th - Worship and waiting on Holy Spirit 7pm, plus street outreach

Sat. 7^th -Training day at SHILOH: sessions -10.30-12.30

                                                                           1.30 -4pm

Sun. 8^th  COMMUNITY SUNDAY at SHILOH -9.30am Teaching

                 10.30am Worship/Communion/Preaching followed by fellowship lunch

 

April:

Apostolic Conference at SHILOH Centre

10^th Good Friday & 11^th Easter Saturday:  

                        10am for prayer and worship

                                11am Teaching

                                 1.30pm Lord's Table & Testimony

                                 2pm Teaching

                                 3.15 Teaching (4.30 finish)

 

12^th Easter Sunday  COMMUNITY SUNDAY at SHILOH

                    9.30am Teaching

                   10.30am  Worship/Communion/Preaching followed by fellowship lunch

 

May -June:

Africa Trip

Teams ministering in Nigeria, Ghana & Liberia in early May

                                In Kenya, and possibly Central Africa late May early June

 

 

SHILOH TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT - Jan. '09

 

We have completed the third week of our three week international training school. The training school began in an awesome way on January 5th. Pastor Janet and Rhoda Truss, who is a gifted musician and worship leader, were leading an hour of prayer and worship, as they did each morning of the school, and the presence of Jesus became manifest. In the first session Paul spoke of Jesus our Apostle and it was amazing: the word on Jesus our Apostle came as a fresh message even though Paul taught from the book 'Walking in our Inheritance'.

 

The Lord showed us in that first morning of worship that the training school is international, not so much because of the international brethren who attended, as important and precious as that is, but because the recordings [DVDs and CD's] will go to many brethren in a number of nations. All who are attending the school are aware of the significance of our meeting together. There were up to forty present in the first week. Brethren in Australia have travelled up to 1,000 kms to be with us.

Some brethren attended the full three weeks; some came for a few days or two weeks. The school is presented in such a way that each day and every session stand alone in that the word of God is presented in the power of the Holy Spirit, "perfecting the saints and building up the body of Christ, until we all come to the unity of the faith ..." (Eph.4:12-13).

The school was very exciting - teaching in the first week included teaching on: Jesus the Apostle, Apostleship to the Nations, Planting the Church, Discipleship and Sending out, as well as foundational teaching on Baptism, Communion and Tithing. One session every day was given to reading through the book 'Apostles Today' - this was done in the format of discussion and dialogue and was very effective.

 

The second week Paul taught a very exciting series on Zion - very powerful and inspiring revelation; and taught on Spiritual warfare. The devil does not like teaching on Spiritual Warfare as it empowers the people to have victory over him and we were tested that very week in a number of ways - on Wednesday afternoon we were harassed and threatened by two young men who came in off the street; we had to call the police and they were finally arrested. In all things we give thanks and God has given us the victory!

 

Janet learnt from the pattern set in an apostolic conference in Florida last October, and we had a time of Spirit-led prayer/worship from 10am to 10.30 followed by praise and worship from 10.30-11am each morning. Rhoda and Janet lead this time - Rhoda plays keyboard and is a wonderful worship leader. Those times proved to be wonderful and the presence of God came to us in some very significant and beautiful ways, setting the atmosphere and spiritual context for the word of God to go forth.  

 

On Thursday afternoons in the school Paul led a Bible research class.  Folk always appreciate this class so much as they are taught to use Strong's Concordance and learn how to do word, character and topic studies for themselves. There is so much wealth in the Word of God!!

One of our international students was Rev. Salamba, from Kenya. He added a strength to the school because of his maturity expressed through wisdom and grace. He has recently stepped down from ten years as the General Superintendant [Bishop] of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. This denomination numbers well over 4,000 churches and the church prospered under Salamba s leadership. However God called him to step out of that position to pursue a faith ministry.

 

Nick Jackson, Rhoda Truss, and Debbie Van Latham conducted the junior training school for five days during the first week and had a very exciting time. Up to twenty children attended and they all had amazing testimonies of hearing from God, receiving visions and testifying to other children when they went to the park. As a result there were six baptisms that weekend. One lad of 14 was born again, filled with the Holy Spirit and then baptised on the Sunday.  He has evidence of a radically changed life.  

 

On Wednesday 14^th a group of 15 refugees from Myanmar who live in Brisbane, came to the school. We had one brother from Myanmar, La Htoi, attending the school. Jean Manning, Nick and others have been going to Brisbane every second Sunday afternoon to have house church with this group of refugees. We hired a bus to go down and bring them up to the school for one day. It was very special to have them with us and they were very encouraged to meet more of the folks at SHILOH. Nick and another one of our pastors taught them separately to the main group as they still need basic foundational teaching and La Htoi had to

be the interpreter. They joined with the larger school for times of worship and for communion.

 

House Church Ministry

On Saturday 17^th a team of nine, including Rev. Salamba and La Htoi from Myanmar, travelled to Samford, north of Brisbane - two hours drive from Toowoomba - for a house church meeting at the home of Michael and Trish Hopkinson. They are wonderful hosts of the church in the house. 12 local folk plus a sister from Beachmere (near Caboolture) who is starting a house church on 31st at Beachmere, gathered from 10.30am. We had one morning session before the lunch break in which Rev. Salamba spoke and Nick also shared  powerfully. After lunch other members of the team shared something and Jean ministered leading into some healing prayer. Paul brought a fresh word on sonship and God gave Janet a powerful confirming anointing to impart. Overall it was a remarkable day.

We were reflecting on this particular house church: 9 brethren travelled two hours to meet with 13 brethren in a house. All on the visiting team could minister and testify strongly and our team included two international brethren, an international apostle from Myanmar and a senior man of God from Kenya. This is the nature of church in the house: the apostles in the book of Acts ministered from house to house .

 

The last week was remarkable. Jesus rewarded us abundantly as we gathered to seek Him and worship Him each day.

 Numbers have varied from about 40 in the first week, 20-35 for the rest of the time and 60 who came on Wednesday 21^st to a luncheon reception for Rev. Elkanah Salamba. He addressed the gathering very powerfully. He has such a revelation of walking with the King.

During the two days, Wednesday and Thursday, there was a remarkable release and God revealed His glory in us in a deeper and profound way. The Scriptures were quickened to us from an Interlinear of the New Testament by J. Green. We were looking at Titus 2:13 and the literal says "expecting the blessed hope and the appearance of the glory of the great God and Saviour of us, Jesus Christ". We realised this is quite different to the regular translation which says 'looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ'. The literal is telling us that our hope is the appearing of the glory, not referring literally to an appearing, i.e. coming of the Lord Jesus, but rather a manifestation of His glory which we can expect to see. This revelation came to us and we were quickened in our spirits. In the course of the day at SHILOH the Holy Spirit developed this word among us and I, Paul, was led to change my teaching in the morning and was able to preach powerfully and prophetically concerning the manifestation of God's glory in the outworking of His purpose in bringing forth His sons in the earth. 

Furthermore we had been asking God for some rain as our city was becoming dry again and I specifically asked God for an inch and a half of rain [or 38 mm] of rain. Much to our amazement and joy as we came to the end of our sessions at 4pm it began to rain heavily. We got wet going to our cars and by the time we arrived home at 5pm we measured that exact amount of rain! We were dancing in the garden, thanking our God. It is as if the release of the glory in the assembly of the saints released the rain to bless us and our little bit of earth. We are rejoicing.

 

The training school finished with a community celebration Sunday [once a month the local house churches in the Toowoomba area come together for worship and hearing the word]. Rev Salamba was the preacher. Early in his visit we had made contact with two Sudanese brothers and they arranged to come to the service to hear the Bishop speak. They came to this Sunday with family and friends and we were blessed to host another international group at SHILOH - we had the Myanmar group from Brisbane earlier in the school. Already there has been on going contact with the Sudanese community since Sunday.

Paul Galligan

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Trip Report - Myanmar - Thailand - November 2008

Margaret Hooper and Bruce and Jean Manning spent 2 weeks in Myanmar with Christian workers followed by 2 weeks in Thailand with refugee people and migrant workers from Myanmar.   In Yangon we worked with contacts from previous visits - Margaret with many who work with the displaced children of Myanmar, while Jean was teaching in pre-arranged groups and she and Bruce were meeting with individual leaders to encourage and strengthen them in the word of God. The fruit of past visits was so evident.  Strong leaders are emerging who are faithfully discipling others and are establishing fellowships where prayer and the Word are the focus of their work.  Regular days set aside for prayer and fasting are the 'norm' for most of these groups.

Outreach to children is the main thrust in Myanmar.  Most pastors take responsibility to care for displaced children of whom there are many - some by establishing orphanages or simply opening their homes to 'adopt' many children.  God's miracle here is that there is a generation of children growing up in Myanmar who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.  These children are learning very early in life that My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus  (Philippians 4:19).  Through the generosity of many supporters of RMA we have on-going relationships with many of these pastors and are privileged to be part of this work.  Many of our contacts have taken more children into their care since the devastation of cyclone Nargis [May '08].  We are amazed at the resilience of these people. A result of these endeavours is that often the relatives of the children and the neighbouring people come to meet with Jesus and their lives are transformed.

 

In the times of teaching Jean focused on bringing the people to the knowledge that Jesus is enthroned now and the Kingdom of God/heaven is for us to embrace now.  As the revelation of the cross of Jesus Christ as the doorway into this kingdom flowed, with the understanding that Jesus is expecting us to 'follow Him' to where He is now enthroned in heavenly places, God was manifest in the meetings and the word of knowledge and healings followed.  Life giving water was flowing from the throne.

Our plan had been to travel to Kalaymyo with David to revisit a school that Donald had established and Mary was overseeing.  Because airplane parts were not available to maintain small aircraft since the cyclone, we were not able to go further than Mandalay where Donald is now settled.  Margaret had been guiding Mary and helping her with the development of this little school which had grown from 60 children to 135 in the past 2 years so we invited Mary to make a 36 hour bus journey to join us in Mandalay.  As Jean taught those who had gathered for teaching, the apostolic work that David and Donald are doing unfolded.  We saw on DVD the results of the outreach to the children attending Mary's school where children up to the age of 8 years from all religions were receiving a Christian education and guidance into basic health practices.  A pastor had told Donald of a village area in the Shan state where the people had no school and could not even read their own language.  Donald and David, both from the Chin tribe, visited this area and spoke through an interpreter, with the village leaders asking permission to begin a school there.  They made it quite clear that they were Christians.  They were granted permission and a man (Joseph, also from the Chin tribe) who had been dramatically forgiven was left there to begin the work.

 At this time of reporting, we know of one believer in the village and she has undertaken to teach Joseph the language.  In the first few months, they found favour with the village authorities and were given a plot of land for the school.  David and Donald returned to clear the land and all the locals joined with them to do this work.  Mary committed to go for a month to help establish the work in the school.  Now there is a house for Joseph as well as the school.  As no one has ever been to school before; all are in the one class, beginning at the same level. Donald has asked us to help as he would like to support 5 teachers there.  There is a whole people group who are singing Christian songs as they are learning basic language and health care.  We have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name  (Romans 1:5).

 

Our plans for Thailand were interrupted by the political disturbances in Bangkok and Margaret had an enforced stay over in Thailand.  Bruce and Jean also were unable to fulfill a commitment to visit and minister with Fay Walkling in the north west.  We saw that we make plans but God guides our steps.  La Htoi La Ohn, our friend and an apostle from Myanmar, had arranged the first week of our time there and we were blessed by the fruit we saw in Pataya and Mahachi when we revisited the fellowships of migrant workers (refugee peoples) there.  There was a maturity in the believers and an enthusiasm for the word of God.  We also spent time with other Christian workers who had come into Thailand to work amongst refugee people - some church planting, some doing the work of the evangelist, and some teaching small groups of migrant workers.  The wife of one pastor has become an advocate for abused workers and children.  We look to help this dear lady as she establishes and equips schools to accept the children from Myanmar who are denied access to Thai schools and as she works to restore dignity and hope to abused workers and exploited children.  The Lord is moving mightily to establish His kingdom in Thailand and using the folk from Myanmar to do this. We were so blessed that God gave us a godly Bible translator to travel with us as interpreter during our stay in Thailand.

 

The finale of our stay in Bangkok was to witness and participate in a weekend crusade organized and paid for by the Myanmar Christian Assembly in Bangkok.  Pastors from distant areas were provided with buses to bring 'seekers' to a hotel (the owner is a Thai Christian) where they were to remain and attend 3nights and 2 days of teaching.  We witnessed more than 100 people accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and receive God as Father ; saw Him heal many of their physical problems; and then 80 of them were baptized on Saturday night before they got into their buses and went home with the pastor who brought them.  The love of God was tangible throughout the weekend.

They were born again of the Spirit of God and filled with His Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God; baptized into the Body of Christ; and returned to their homes to be nurtured and discipled by the pastors who had brought them.  We had been working with some of these pastors.  Praise the Lord!  He is fulfilling His word: I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it  (Matthew 16:18).                                                                                                                                                     Jean Manning