Yes, where are the Apostles and Prophets?

“⁴ … by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), ⁵ 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: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…” Ephesians 3:4-6 NKJV.

Before we answer, it might do well to visit something Apostle Paul said in the book of Ephesians. He was talking about the things God had revealed to him; particularly, the mystery of Christ. He said, “In other ages, was not made known unto the sons of men.” The next line, should change everyone’s thinking about whether the two ministries, afore mentioned, are relevant and whether they apply now.

“As it is NOW revealed, unto his holy apostles and prophets.” By the Spirit. I realize that many folk, whether they say it openly or not, feel that the truth of things being revealed to these ministries, was only for that time. People feel that God used them then, to say things by the Spirit; but their divine use, ended there. I don’t wish to start an unholy argument or strife, but that is just not scriptural. Now, means now. The Spirit revealed things to those apostles and prophets then, and He reveals things to them today also.

It looks like that mankind, had learned by now, that the more you try to put down or suppress those who have been called by God, the more they are likely to get up. It might be suppressed for a while, but rest assured, the Spirit has continued to teach and minister to these people. And they will arise again once more; usually more powerful and demonstrative than ever before. Many men never realized, that persecution, will most often cause those who seek to be used of Him, to grow stronger; and more determined.

God did not take these ministries out of the church. Men may have taken them out of their buildings and fellowships, but they yet remained in the church of the living God. We can’t undo God’s works; we might try, but no one has been able to do it for very long. They may hinder or attempt to crush it or defuse it or thwart it; but as the word has gone out more strongly even now, the Spirit, is not limited to what men have created. He moves, whenever and however, He pleases. These vessels, will always find Him.

Having only a few approved folk by men, is not at all God’s plan. He meant for those ministries to flow freely, just as they did in the early church. I can believe, that the Spirit, is turning to those vessels who seek to follow Him. I already observe, that they might not be the exact kind of men and women that many of us thought they should be.

Never forget, that most all of those who were invited to a certain feast, found excuses or distractions for not coming to the table. The Host, sent his servants to fill his banquet hall, with all of the misfits and unapproved. The feast went on. And it does, today.

~ Robert Blackburn

Robert Blackburn