"Apostle" So N. Sew: Peace be upon you! I am Apostle So N. Sew; it would be so nice if you all would acknowledge my authority, obey me as you'd obey Christ Himself and give me money so that God would prosper you!
Teacher C: We're so glad to have you among us, Apostle...if you could be so kind, please share your credentials with us!
"Apostle" So N. Sew: Er..."credentials"???
Teacher C: Yes, Apostle...the Three Credentials identified in the Holy Scriptures as the Marks of an Apostle; we're excited to verify your Apostolic Office that your ministry may be employed immediately in God's Work among us...?
"Apostle" So N. Sew: Well..I have the Gift of Prophecy...I operate in the ministry of exorcism and in the Lord's Name I have performed many miracles through the Power of the Holy Spirit!
Teacher C: Ummm...that's wonderful, Apostle Sew...we are glad that God has used you so marvelously...yet...none of the works you mentioned are the Marks of an Apostle...please continue...?
"Apostle" So N. Sew: Of course...I have traveled around the world encouraging the saints, leading the lost to Salvation...as well as building a radio, television and Internet ministry recognized around the world. I've collaborated with all of the best-known televangelists, wrote three New Times best-selling books and have raised millions of dollars in aid for the poor and destitute in my 40 years of laboring in the Lord's vineyard!
Teacher C: That's great, Apostle...you mentioned leading the lost to Salvation...how many new churches have you planted?
"Apostle" So N. Sew: Er...well...the bulk of my efforts have been to enlarge existing assemblies around the world by training them to employ modern techniques that attract the secular demographic in their area to the Gospel.
Teacher C: Hmmmm...it's certainly not my intent to minimize your many years of service, Apostle, but NONE of the activities you've cited qualify as the Marks of an Apostle.
"Apostle" So N. Sew: (Becoming annoyed) My memory is not as sharp as it used to be; why don't you remind me of these "Marks"...I'm sure I've born them at one time or another...?
Teacher C: Certainly, Apostle...I'd be happy to:
The First Mark of an Apostle is found in Acts Chapter One:
“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
-- the Apostle Peter, Acts 1:21-22 KJV
To be an Apostle one must have SEEN the Lord Jesus Christ after He rose from the dead: either coporally, as did the Eleven or by vision, as did the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
The Second Mark of an Apostle is the planting of churches WHERE NONE HAVE EVER EXISTED.
This was accomplished by the Apostles in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost when over three thousand souls were baptized in the Name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit; in Samaria when Apostles Peter and John laid hands on new believers and they received the Holy Spirit; in Ceasarea when the Roman Cornelius and his circle, having listened to the preaching of Peter, were filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized; and of course when Paul, Barnabas, Silas and their companions planted churches in Turkey and Europe.
The Third Mark of an Apostle is persecution.
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
-- the Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 KJV
"Apostle" So N. Sew: (Tears) I...I had no idea...I remember when I first got saved as a young teenager: how real the Lord's Presence was to me. Over time how I appeared to others became more important than who I really was inside...how I was in Jesus' Eyes!
Teacher C: (Crying) I understand, Apostle; I used to be Somebody important in the church I grew up in until I met Jesus; then I realized that, next to Jesus, I was and am a nobody...and I've been full of Joy ever since! And on those occasions when I forget that I'm a nobody, Christ points me to His Cross...and I am once again set free from my accursed somebodyness! It may be that you have an Apostle's calling; submit your self to crucifixion and free yourself of the terrible burden of self-esteem...I have no doubt that the Lord will take your ministry in a new and exciting direction!