False Apostles! by Dr. Kluane Spake

By Kluane Spake
John the Revelator warned, "Beware of FALSE apostles." (Rev. 2:2). Even in his day, there must have been those masquerading around pretending to be an apostle. We sure see a lot of that going on today! John tells us that God HATES their deeds and the way people elevate themselves as "apostles." We will later examine the characteristics of those who really do the work of apostles. But. right now, let's look at the false. In our modern day, it seems that being an apostle has been greatly misunderstood. The title and anointing of the Office of the Apostle is often abused and misinterpreted.
 
 
 
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John the Revelator warned, "Beware of FALSE apostles." (Rev. 2:2).
 
Even in his day, there must have been those masquerading around pretending to be an apostle. We sure see a lot of that going on today!
 
John tells us that God HATES their deeds and the way people elevate themselves as "apostles."
 
We will later examine the characteristics of those who really do the work of apostles. But. right now, let's look at the false.
 
In our modern day, it seems that being an apostle has been greatly misunderstood. The title and anointing of the Office of the Apostle is often abused and misinterpreted.
 
LIARS
 
First of all, John says "They are liars!" The sad reality is that lots of ministers are not truthful. And they purchase titles, get titles from someone who does not have the authority to grant them, some self-appoint, and many commandeer titles for personal self-aggrandizement and self-importance. "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13)
 
Impostors love lofty titles and will self-title to gain attention.
 
FALSE
 
We see extremes of behavior that have absolutely nothing to do with the Gift of being an apostle. It seems that many posture to act like "what they think" is an apostle.
 
A real apostle has accomplished something! Usually, they have a wide reach of influence (their sphere of authority or "metron"). Generally, they are Kingdom builders, and generally not totally focused on one particular local church.
 
Real apostles are called to the whole Body to establish foundational works (Matt. 16:1, 18, Acts 14:14)).
 
NO SIGNS
 
Please don't presume to call yourself an "apostle" if you are preaching to nobody there with no influence anywhere. There are those who have done diddly darn for the Kingdom and still presume to be an "apostle."
 
I see them every day trying to maintain a church of 12 members. But to them, the "label" is imperative. "I'm Chief Apostle," they demand. (But, Jesus was the ONLY "chief" apostle!) Unfortunately, they have not discovered their own destiny call or how much greater influence they could have if they function in the right place – if they only knew who they were.
 
All too often, false apostles claim schemes, scams, and stories of hidden treasures to deceive the gullible.
 
THE ARROGANT
 
Then we have the aloof false apostles who posture in arrogant ways – gathering groups of needy believers to fawn over their assumed self-importance. Filled with self-aggrandizement, they "pretend" that their very presence demands attention.
 
It doesn't matter how many gold chains they wear – or how they parade around in a long black dress, they are puff and stuff! I know you've probably seen them and how they strut around and speak with munificent amber tones and their voice modulated as low and loud as it will go!
 
THE BRAGGER
 
Another extreme is the exaggerator! They evang-elastically tell us their braggadocios stories that we know never happened. These falsely self-promoting men and women are under "strong delusion" (2 Thes. 2:9-12).
 
They can be self-centered, demanding, and apathetic. "These are wells without water (no substance), clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error" (2 Peter 2:17-18).
 
They vainly speak about themselves in order to influence people. Of course, they parade around with no accountability and no correction.
 
"God sets Himself against the proud." (James 4:6)
 
Paul says: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14
 
Real apostles do not crave attention and they are not hierarchical. They don't need position to validate their calling. They are secure in their calling and identity.
 
A false apostle is a pretender who does not truly represent Christ and whose message is filled with falsehood. A true apostle is one who is "sent" by God as an ambassador of Jesus Christ with a divine message.
 
Just as Jesus made Himself of no reputation (Phil. 2), modern-day apostles don't need or seek for public attention or positional recognition.
 
Dr. Kluane Spake
 

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