Understanding the Anointingbeyond the ordinary.
In fact, Paul had such a deep spiritual experience with the
Lord that he could say concerning what he knew about the
Lord's Supper, "For I have received of the Lord that which also
I delivered unto you.... " (1 Cor. 11:23). Paul didn't learn
what he knew about this subject from the other apostles. He got
it by revelation. Jesus gave it to him.
Paul wasn't taught the Gospel he preached by man. The
Spirit of God taught it to him. He wrote, "But I certify you,
brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after
man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it,
but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:11,12).
The work of an apostle is that of a foundation layer:
1 CORINTHIANS 3:10
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a
wise masterbuilder, I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, and
another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.
EPHESIANS 2:20
20 And are built upon THE FOUNDATION OF THE
APOSTLES and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone.
The first twelve apostles laid the foundation of the Church
as the earliest pioneers and preachers of the Gospel. They also
laid the foundation of the Church by receiving the Holy Spirit.
An apostle's ministry seems to embrace all other ministry
gifts. The distinguishing result is the ability to establish
churches.
The apostle has the supernatural equipment called
"governments" listed in First Corinthians 12:28. (Weymouth
translates it "powers of organization.")
After churches are established, apostles can exercise
authority over those churches they have established (1 Cor.
9:1,2).
There are many who call themselves apostles who want to