Transcription
The apostolic calling remains one of the most misunderstood spiritual assignments in the body of Christ today. Some denominations claim apostles disappeared with the early church, but that's not true according to scriptures. In today's video, I will be revealing six signs that God has called you to be an apostle.
In Ephesians 4:11 and 12, Paul writes, "And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." But how do you know if you've been called to apostolic function? Let's find out.
Number one, you have an unquenchable passion for souls. The first sign you have been endowed with an apostolic calling is that you will have an unquenchable desire to see souls saved. This isn't just a normal concern for the lost. It's a consuming passion that burns within you to preach the gospel that goes far beyond natural motivation or enthusiasm. While evangelists are primarily focused on leading individuals to salvation, the apostolic passion wants to see lasting kingdom impact across generations. If you're called apostolically, you will have this inner drive that burns within you to save souls.
This connects directly to what the word apostle actually means. It means one that is sent. The Greek word aposto describes someone commissioned with a specific mission, sent with the authority of the sender. This apostolic gift upon you will give you a pioneer spirit to establish the gospel where it hasn't taken root before. You feel most alive when breaking new ground for the kingdom, whether that's geographically, culturally, or in unreached sectors of society. Paul demonstrated this apostolic trait when he wrote in Romans 15:20, "So have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation." Paul was essentially saying he is making it his ambition to preach where Christ isn't already known. If you have an apostolic calling, you probably think in terms of spiritual territories and gospel advancement strategies. You're constantly evaluating how to reach more people more effectively.
Number two, if you're called apostolically, you likely find yourself deeply troubled when you go to a church and see disorder. This isn't about being critical or judgmental. It's about carrying a genuine burden for the church to function according to biblical patterns. The Bible specifically says in Ephesians 2:20 that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. This explains why Paul wrote so many letters to the early churches, correcting errors he saw. It wasn't faultfinding. It was caring for his father's business. When you see confusion in worship, unclear teaching, misuse of spiritual gifts, or disorganized leadership, something in your spirit is grieved because you naturally carry a burden for proper order in God's house.
Those with apostolic anointing don't tolerate false teachings, ungodliness, or doctrines that don't align with scriptures. This is why Apostle Paul was very strict with errors in the church, and he spent time writing letters correcting each and every church he could identify. However, the key difference is that Paul corrected in love and not with a fault-finding spirit. The most important thing is restoration. The key is to correct in love and seek restoration. So, if you find yourself putting the house of God in order, that is a clear sign you have been graced with the apostolic gift.
Number three, unusual spiritual warfare and opposition. If you have been called to be an apostle, you'd likely faced unusual resistance, inexplicable attacks, and targeted spiritual opposition from an early age. In 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, Paul describes the apostolic experience. "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death. Even unto this present hour, we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place. Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we suffer it. Being defamed, we intreat. We are made as the filth of the world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day." Paul is saying apostolic ministry often involves public display of suffering and opposition beyond what others experience.
If you have an apostolic calling, you might have faced betrayals, unusual health attacks, relentless opposition to your ministry endeavors, or financial warfare that seems specifically targeted to stop your forward progress. This opposition often emerges most intensely just before major breakthroughs or new territory is taken. This doesn't mean all suffering indicates apostolic calling. But those with apostolic assignment typically experience warfare that seems excessive for their current level of influence. The enemy often attacks most aggressively what threatens him most directly. And apostolic function threatens territorial spiritual strongholds by its very nature.
The fourth sign of apostolic calling is having a distinctive father's or mother's heart toward others. A capacity for spiritual parenting that goes beyond typical mentoring or discipleship. In 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul writes, "For though ye have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel." The Greek word for fathers is pater, and for begotten is egenesaa, which literally means I gave birth to you. Paul is describing an intimate spiritual parenting relationship.
If you have an apostolic calling, you likely feel a deep responsibility for those under your care that transcends professional ministry relationships. You don't just teach people, you develop them. You don't just lead people, you launch them. You find yourself naturally creating opportunities for others to grow beyond your own achievements. This fathering or mothering quality manifests as genuine investment in others' futures. You take satisfaction in seeing those you've raised up succeed even when their ministry eventually becomes larger or more visible than yours. You feel personal responsibility for the spiritual generations that come after you. While many ministry gifts care for others, apostolic parenting has a distinctive quality of identity impartation. You help people discover who they truly are and provide covering while they develop. You create safe spaces for others to grow through failures without being destroyed by them.
Number five, systems thinking and strategic implementation. The fifth sign of apostolic calling is a natural ability to see systems, structures, and strategic solutions where others see only individual problems or disconnected challenges. In 1 Corinthians 3:10, Paul writes, "According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon."
If you're called apostolically, you naturally think in terms of systems and structures rather than isolated events. This systems thinking often manifests in unusual wisdom for solving complex ministry problems. People may come to you when they're stuck because you see solutions others miss. You naturally think about how ideas scale and replicate, not just how they function in a single instance. This apostolic trait also appears as big picture thinking. While others might focus on immediate needs, you're simultaneously considering long-term implications, future generations, and multiplication strategies. You're rarely satisfied with short-term fixes when systemic solutions are needed. This doesn't mean you can't appreciate details. It means your mind naturally organizes those details into coherent systems. You instinctively create order from chaos, structure from confusion, and reproducible models from isolated successes.
Number six, cross-cultural adaptability and boundary-crossing anointing. The sixth sign of apostolic calling is an unusual ability to cross cultural, denominational, and social boundaries with your message and ministry. You adapt naturally to different contexts without compromising core truth. In 1 Corinthians chapter 9:19-22, Paul demonstrates this apostolic trait. "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
Paul voluntarily adapted to different cultures and contexts, not by compromising truth, but by learning to communicate effectively within each context. If you have an apostolic calling, you likely find yourself able to minister effectively across different cultures, denominations, or social groups. You naturally identify cultural bridges rather than barriers. You can translate spiritual principles into language that resonates in diverse settings. This boundary-crossing anointing often appears as unusual favor with gatekeepers in different spheres of influence. You might find doors opening for you in unexpected places: business, education, government, or different denominational settings. People who normally reject Christian ministers might welcome your influence. This doesn't mean you abandon biblical truth to fit in. Quite the opposite. It means you have an unusual ability to present unchanging truth in contextually relevant ways that penetrate different cultural settings. Apostolic ministry by its nature extends beyond comfortable boundaries into new territory.
Remember that apostolic calling, like all spiritual gifts, is given to serve the body of Christ, not to elevate the individual. The greatest in God's kingdom are servants of all. True apostolic function seeks to build others up, establish foundations for future generations, and extend Christ's kingdom, not build personal empires or gather followers. If you've recognized these signs in your life, embrace your calling with both confidence and humility. The church desperately needs genuine apostolic function. Not self-proclaimed apostles demanding recognition, but humble servants willing to lay foundations others will build upon for generations to come. Thank you for watching. If you love our videos, please feel free to subscribe to our channel.