Back to Recent Newsletters

March 2009 Newsletter & Trip Report

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

By Nicholas Jackson

True Discipleship needed in the nations

I have recently returned from a month long mission trip into India and every time I have travelled overseas I have come home clearer in my heart and mind concerning the great need of true discipleship in the nations. This trip has reinforced in me more than ever this need in the nations and accompanied with it, has come a greater sense of responsibility to remain faithful to the calling and be an example of what we preach.

 

The apostolic down the ages

Upon returning I have been reading a book, The Pilgrim Church , by E.H Broadbent. Broadbent traces the history of apostolic believers since the time of the first apostles. It has been so encouraging to see that even through the period of history that we have termed the dark ages , there were people who were truly shining the light of the gospel of Christ, walking in the apostolic revelation of the Scriptures.

One such group that deserves mention are the Waldenses  who trace their history back to the times of the first apostles and mainly lived in the Alpine Valleys of Piedmont in France. These believers did not give themselves that name but referred to each other as brethren . They came to the attention of the institutional church of the day in the 12^th and 13^th centuries, and many lost their lives on account of their uncompromising faith.

In the 16^th century new rulers began to take over the area in which they lived. When they were asked about where their religious practice came from, their reply was, Let your Highness consider, that this religion in which we live is not merely our religion of the present day, or a religion discovered for the first time only a few years ago, as our enemies falsely pretend, but it is the religion of our fathers and of our grandfathers, yea, of our forefathers and of our predecessors still more remote. It is the religion of the Saints and of the Martyrs, of the Confessors and of the Apostles.  {page 91-2}

 

The teaching of Scripture maintained

When these brethren came into contact with the Reformers in the 16^th century they said, Our ancestors have often recounted to us that we have existed from the time of the Apostles. In all matters nevertheless we agree with you, and thinking as you think, from the very days of the Apostles themselves, we have ever been consistent respecting the faith.  {page 92}

 E.H. Broadbent shows that these believers were not fruit of any reformation bearing no traces of the influence of those churches, they indicate, on the contrary, the continuance of an old tradition, handed down from quite another source  the teaching of Scripture and the practice of the primitive Church.  {page 97}

They had no special confession of faith apart from the Holy Scriptures and no ruler over them, but following Christ was their chief aim. They relied upon the Spirit of Christ abiding in them to open up revelation from the Scriptures to them, being committed to growing in knowledge and understanding of the Word. They baptized those who believed and they regularly shared the Lord s Supper together, simply coming to remember Him.

In matters of church order they were led by elders and believed in apostolic succession  through the laying on of hands on those called to receive such grace. These apostles were itinerant while the elders and overseers stayed more permanently based in their homes and churches. The whole church participated in such ordinations. {page98-9}

 

God always has a remnant

It is encouraging to see that there have always been men of faith, untainted by the world religious and political systems, simply obeying the Word that has been handed down generation by generation; a group of people having the Scripture as their sole source for faith and practice, following the pattern set by the Lord Jesus and the apostles that He raised. They continued in such faith and contended earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints  (Jude3). We also need to be such a people!

 

The Rechabites, an apostolic company!

Obeying the commands of their father

In the days of Jeremiah, there was a family line that derived their name from their forefather, Jonadab, the son of Rechab. Jonadab is an example of an apostolic father whose voice was heeded down the generations, even after two centuries. Jeremiah was told by Yahweh (the LORD) to invite Jonadab s descendants into the House of Yahweh to drink some wine but they would not drink saying, We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever   Jer.35:6.

There were other instructions given by Jonadab that these men could quote verbatim two centuries after he lived. Even in the presence of a great prophet in the House of Yahweh, they would not become disobedient to the word of their forefather.

Jonadab had been a great man in his day, being used of the Lord to join with the newly anointed King of Israel, Jehu, in destroying the false worship of the day and to bring about the downfall of Ahab s house and the destruction of Ahab s wicked wife, Jezebel (2Kings10:15-17). This man, Jonadab, had given commands to his children which were then passed on to their descendents, being obeyed so diligently that it caught the attention of God.

God uses their example to condemn and judge the rest of Israel in Jeremiah s day by saying, The words of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father s commandment. But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me  Jer.35:14. The reward for such faithfulness was that Jonabad, the son of Rechab, shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever  Jer.35:19.

 

Being a part of the Apostolic

Jesus is our Father

Being a part of the apostolic  means being part of a company of people, like the Waldenses and Rechabites, who are faithfully walking in obedience to the commands of their father from generation to generation. Our apostolic father is Jesus. He is the Apostle &of our confession  (Heb.3:1). He is the One who was sent from God to speak the words of God and was given the Spirit without measure (Jn3:34). He is the One in whom we have the full revelation of the Father, as He said to Philip, He who has seen Me has seen the Father  (Jn.14:9). One of His names given to us by God through the prophet Isaiah is Everlasting Father  ( Isa.9:6).

To be part of the apostolic  means to agree with the Word of God that Jesus is our apostolic Father and that we will follow His commands, faithfully delivering them to the next generation without adulteration.

 

Jesus raised 12 apostles to carry on His apostolic work

Jesus  apostolic work involved raising twelve apostles who would fully represent Him, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you  Matt.28:20. When the first converts were made to Jesus on the Day of Pentecost they continued steadfastly in the apostles  doctrine &  (Acts2:42).

The apostles  doctrine or teaching was the teaching they had received from their apostolic father, Jesus. The apostles faithfully delivered Jesus  word to the new disciples and the result was signs and wonders done and the emergence of a loving, faithful and committed community (Acts2:43-47).

 

That the world may know that God sent Jesus

When Jesus prayed to the Father the night before He went to the Cross He explained to the Father that He had been faithful to do the apostolic work of raising twelve apostles whom He could send into the world as the Father sent Him (John17:4-19). He then prayed for those who will believe in Me through their [the apostles] word; that they all may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You [Father] sent Me  John17:20-21.

Being part of the apostolic  means being part of this prayer. It needs to be noted that the oneness is not brought about by unity movements, as good as they can be. The oneness comes about as men and women believe the Word that was spoken by the apostles who were taught and trained by Jesus. This is the unity of the faith  spoken of by the apostle Paul in his letter to Ephesus (Eph.4:13).

The divisions in the Body of Christ come because men have placed loyalties to denominations and organizations over the apostolic teaching of the Scriptures. Men following the teachings of other men and becoming dogmatic about it brought about the problem of divisions in the Corinthian church that the apostle Paul wrote to. He pleaded with them, Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement  1Cor.1:10. This kind of oneness can only be brought about by the church becoming apostolic , being obedient to the Scriptures, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

 

• It is time to receive again apostles who are bringing forth the apostolic revelation and teaching of the Scriptures.
• It is time to be free from misplaced loyalties and receive Jesus the Apostle as our Father.
• It is time to be part of an apostolic company walking together with brothers and sisters who are committed to obeying the apostolic word given to us in the Scriptures.
• It is through grace and apostleship  that then the nations will be obedient to the faith (Rom.1:5) and the world will know that God sent Jesus!

 

 

CALENDAR

 

March:

Northern Trip Pastor Rob and team

18^th Kingaroy & Gladstone; 19^th Half Tide; 20^th Mackay

21^st -22^nd Proserpine House Church

 

Worship & apostolic preaching/teaching

20^st Friday  7.30pm at SHILOH Centre

 

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)

Worship & apostolic preaching/teaching

10^th Friday  7.30pm at SHILOH Centre

 

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, Northern Tanzania and possibly Central Africa late May early June

 

 

MID YEAR TRAINING SCHOOL SHILOH SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Monday 29^th June  Saturday 18^th July 2009 [three weeks]

Venue: SHILOH CENTRE, 19 Russell St TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350

 

For Pastors, Leaders and those called to minister in the body of Christ

The length of the school is three weeks. We plan to start each day at 10am with prayer & worship. There will be three teaching sessions per day, finishing at 4pm. There will be no evening sessions. We want to promote the opportunity for fellowship amongst the attendees which can happen freely in homes in the evenings. There is no charge for the school and attendees are welcome to come for one, two or three weeks as they are able.

 

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH, ages 4 to 13

Monday 6^th July to Friday 10^th July

 

 

INDIA  MYANMAR TRIP REPORT  2009

 

The team arrived in Hyderabad on 1^st February and our time in India was divided into three separate weeks:
one week in Ponnur, hosted by Michael Kongala who was ably supported by his
family members, Pastor Moses and other young men in training with Michael;
one week in Vijayawada hosted by Paul Disher from Australia and Elisha in
the village, Gollanipalli, where the four day apostolic mini-school was held.
and the final week for Paul, Janet and Rhoda was in Kerala State, ably
hosted by Ev. Stanley Simon, his brother-in-law Ps. Sarjimon and other
family members and committed brethren.
Nick and Rob spent the third week with Raja Sekhar in the Vishakapatnam area
working with Raja in pastors seminars and village church meetings.
They then stayed on for a few more days in India in Kerala State with Stanley Simon.

Paul, Janet and Rhoda travelled to Myanmar on the 21^st, arriving on 22nd and did a five
day apostolic mini-school from Mon. to Fri. hosted by Lian Thang at a training centre one hour and fifteen minutes north of the capital, Yangon, - we stayed in the capital and travelled by taxi truck each day.

 

The word was received gladly

We joined with evangelists in two of the places [Vijayawada & Kerala State], we visited and saw many orphans, widows and lepers on our journey. There were pastors and leaders seminars in each place that we visited and we saw the Word running swiftly, the leaders receiving the Word gladly, being changed and freed from old traditional mindsets, coming into sonship and tasting for the first time the apostolic word! It is such a privilege to be sharing the Scriptures in the nations.

There could be many stories to tell as many people responded so wonderfully to the Word of God; 48 baptisms in Vijayawada, many receiving sonship, Hindus coming to Jesus and meeting with divine connections in the midst of travelling 36hours on bus and train. There is an intense need for discipleship and to understand the simplicity by which Jesus can take the nations.

 

 

ANDHRA PRADESH

God is raising up a company of sons in India

In Hyderabad we were joined by seven other brothers, six from north east India and one from Chundigar. They have been receiving the apostles doctrine and teaching of the word over the years through Jean Manning and were introduced to Paul and Nick by Jean on their visit to India in 2008. The word is bearing good fruit in their lives. These men have been faithfully serving God as pastors and ministers and some of them have been well established in their ministry for many years, but now, through the restoration of apostles, God is restoring the revelation of sonship into their hearts and this revelation is transforming their lives and ministries.

These men travelled and remained with us for two weeks, reasoning daily together morning, noon and night, being taught by the apostle and "continuing steadfast in the apostles doctrine" (Acts 2:42). These were awesome times, where God was continuing to unfold the revelation and mystery of Christ and His church to them. Paul "did not shun to declare to them the whole counsel of God  (Acts 20:27)

 

Ponnur, hosted by Michael Kongala

Michael met us at the airport in Hyderabad on Sunday 1st February and the next day the whole team including the seven nothern brothers travelled by rail and car to his ministry centre. Michael has a large complex called 'Bless Home' at Ponnur that he is still developing. All the team plus Raja Sekhar from Vishakapatnam were hosted in the complex. As well Michael has 40 orphans and a number of lepers at the Home. The three day pastors conference was hosted there with up to 100 pastors from the villages also being accommodated and fed.

 

Michael is the overseer of 80 village churches reaching across five districts of the state and has relationship with many other pastors as well. The three day conference went very well. Apostolic teaching was new to nearly all but aided by very good interpreters, the word went forth and was well received. The pastors came from many different surrounding districts and villages. This was a time of "breaking up the fallow ground" (Jer 4:3). Before we can build and plant there needs to be a rooting out and pulling down of the mindsets and strongholds in our minds that are not according to the word, as the traditions and doctrines of men have crept in unnoticed so that the apostles doctrine has been forsaken.

The highlight was the teaching and impartation of the spirit of sonship. One of our apostolic sons commented how powerful it was because most of the village pastors are historically from 'the untouchables', the lowest caste in Hinduism who are expected to be the slaves and servants of all those above them. For these brethren to understand that they are sons of God and able to receive the inheritance was life-changing in a very special way.
For many of these pastors the word which they heard was new to them, strange to their ears. "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them" Isa 42:16. As they received the word of God, these pastors began to see how awesome and powerful the gospel of our Messiah is; the commission He has given to the church to go into all the world and make disciples, and God's purpose to bring many sons to glory in the earth. These were 'terrible' and awesome revelations that left these pastors changed forever.

 

After the three day conference, Nicholas, Robert and Rhoda travelled by rail with Raja Sekhar to Vijayawada to work with Paul Disher and the Wakeup team.

 

Paul and Janet continued over the weekend teaching the seven brothers who had come from North India. On the Sunday we ministered in four church services, the first with the orphans and lepers, then two local churches in the town, one pastored by Michael's mother. In the afternoon we travelled out into the country to minister in a new church and to officially open their small building which had been completed that day [the concrete stairs were still wet, so planks were used as a walk-way into the building.

This church meeting in the village was a powerful experience. Last year Michael had done outreach in the village and won 15 converts, baptising them and forming the church. He then asked a pastor to relocate to look after this new church. It was a big event for the village to host western missionaries. The little building was soon over-crowded and people were sitting outside. We counted about 70 in the building. There were 10 of us on team as the Indian brothers from the North were with us. Paul preached and God gave him the ability to bring a strong message of who Jesus is. As a result 7 mature adults made a clear decision for Jesus Christ.

 

Vijayawada hosted by Paul Disher from Australia and Elisha

Nicholas, Rhoda and Robert had three days in Vijayawada before Paul and Janet joined them for the four day pastors and leaders seminar. On those three days with Paul Disher they were kept busy doing 16 hour days which included crusade meetings at night. They also visited a leper colony, Lynda Disher's tailoring project, and an aged care community centre. On Monday there were 48 baptisms!

The four day pastor's seminar was held in Gollanapalli which is 35kms from Vijayawada city. Paul Disher's host, Elisha, is a good man and quick to receive revelation. Through the teaching there was much revelation on the Great Commission released - making disciples through grace and apostleship. The teaching was very full of the meat of Gods Word with the focus toward restoration of the Church (personally and corporate) in preparation for the return of Jesus.

 

Vishakhapatnam hosted by Raja Sekhar

Nicholas and Rob had a fruitful time with Raja Sekhar in Vishakhapatnam for five days. Raja has about 75 pastors who relate with him in three different areas: In Vishakapatnam itself, in a place called Mardagura which is in the hill area where Andhra Pradesh borders the state of Orissa and also in a place three hours (by car) south of Vishakapatnam called Madiki. In each place we met with pastors and leaders for seminars to teach the apostolic as well as sharing in church fellowships.

In Raja s ministry he oversees the care of 47 orphans, 20 widows and 14 leper families. During our visit we saw all of this work, ministered to all the ones mentioned above and all the pastors were open to receive the Word and were excited to hear. God is raising Raja as an apostle and he has agreed to translate all the manuals from RMA into Telegu which is the predominant language in Andhra Pradesh state. Ministering to the lepers was wonderful as God opened up to them the hope of the gospel and the promise of the kingdom of God. God has arranged it that they are to be raised and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph.2:6). God is raising them to rule in the earth as kings with Jesus (Rev.1:5-6, 5:10), and God is at work in them to sanctify them entirely, there being a restoration of their whole spirit, soul and body through the gospel (1Thess.5:23)! We could see them being filled with hope as we shared and it was wonderful to see the truth of the Word so eagerly received!

The time in Vishakhapatnam was great in seeing the sphere of ministry that Raja has and the good relationship that is continuing to develop between us. Our time finished there with baptizing Raja s daughter, Regina Sharon, in the Bay of Bengal!

 

Kerala  hosted by Stanley Simon

Our time in Kerala State was very different to the two separate ministry places in Andhra Pradesh. There are many more Christians in Kerala and the atmosphere is much freer. We hardly saw any pagan temples. Stanley served us and honoured us. One of his contacts from Chennai who is the Chancellor of a University that provides degrees in Theology in India and Africa [mainly distance education] travelled overnight on the train to Kerala to present Paul with an honoury Doctor of Philosophy. He then travelled back the following night on the train to Chennai. They said they were acknowledging Paul's international contribution to preaching and teaching the word of God. Paul was humbled to receive this honour.

Stanley and his wife lead a very unique ministry and while they are new to the apostolic, they seem very open and willing to change. Up until now, Stanley has been an evangelist with an evangelist's vision. In his vision he planned to plant 1000 churches in India [maybe around 200 related churches already]. However he also shared with us that there are 600,000 villages in India and 500,000 have no gospel witness. Paul shared with him in light of that infomation, what impact will 1000 churches have? Then asked him why not let go of your current vision and embrace Jesus' vision which is to disciple all nations. Paul shared with him how 'making disciples' will enable us to fulfill the Great Commission and God's vision to reach every village in India. He got it!

In Kerala we shared how the apostolic works, that the pattern is to raise disciples who can carry on the apostolic work of Jesus the Apostle (Heb.3:1), teaching what He taught and doing what He did. One dear lady after hearing us share on discipleship said that she has made a decision that she will no longer simply be a believer but that she will be a disciple for the rest of her days (she is in her sixties). Praise the Lord!

 

Myanmar 22^nd to 1^st March

 Our time in Myanmar was devoted to a five-day seminar/mini-school for pastors and leaders. Approx 100 came, many of them staying in the training centre. Leaders came from other states and cities and many of them had been in previous trainings with us. We had very positive feed-back from those who had heard us before. On the Friday evening we held a dinner meeting with leaders from four different ministry groups sitting together with us. We were blessed by their feed-back and their sharing of what the apostolic and our visit in particular meant to them. Paul asked them as a way to provoke some sharing 'tell me why I should come back to Myanmar?' Their answers were very convincing and we will be going back to Myanmar next year. We have some fine sons there and they are all growing in apostolic revelation.