The apostolic dimension activates and empowers every believer to occupy their assigned places of spiritual authority.
Apostles understand how critical is the way we perceive our cities in this hour. Apostles understand that churches are not placed in a city by chance; they are strategically positioned by the wisdom of God. Apostles also understand that the authority and grace to occupy a territory comes from God. As such, one role of the apostle is to reveal to believers a deeper perspective of the local church as a place of spiritual jurisdiction.
When an apostle builds a local church it becomes a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence with the power and authority of God to rule and reign in the territory. Apostolic believers understand the responsibility to reach that territory and possess a different orientation of ministry because they fully discern the overall scope of the local church.
Places of Spiritual Jurisdiction
Assigned places of spiritual jurisdiction are called “metrons,” a Greek word for measure. The understanding of metrons is vital to every believer because it is the believers who are “sent” out (from the Greek words apo and stello) from the local church to occupy these territories. The apostolic dimension of a local governing church activates and empowers every believer as a sent-one to invade and occupy God-given metrons. Let’s examine an important scri pture and some key Greek words to study this out:
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring (judging) themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure (metron) of the rule (kanon) which God hath distributed to us, a measure (metron) to reach even unto you” (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).
This is a revealing scri pture. The Greek word “metron” means a portioned-off measure, determined extent, measure, or limit. The Greek word “kanon” means a rule or line, a fixed space within limits where one’s power of influence is confined, an assigned province, one’s sphere of activity, or limit of authority or jurisdiction. A metron is clearly defined as a measured-out boundary. It can be likened to a fenced in area (kanon) of authority or an assigned territory. This same area (metron) would also be known as a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence assigned to a local church, person, ministry, apostolic team, etc., by the Holy Spirit.
So a metron is a target area, a place where one has an assigned scope of ministry and spiritual influence, a marked-off territory, a place of focused spiritual and natural activity, a place with marked-off boundaries, a territory with specific limits of assignment and responsibilities known as kanon, or place of spiritual jurisdiction. Simply stated, your metron is your place of ministry assignment and responsibility. You will be the most effective in ministry when you are planted in your assigned sphere, or metron.
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Not only does the Holy Spirit assign a metron (ministry assignments) within specific territories for churches and apostolic believers (sent-ones) to occupy, He also gives ample grace to back up those assignments. Grace is the power to advance beyond our own abilities. Remember, “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure (metron) of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).
Again, this is a very important verse because we see that God gives us grace amply sufficient for our territory, or place of our assignment. Grace, favor, and everything we need to be successful in ministry is given to us to accomplish our task when we are within our metron. So when things are hard in ministry, remember that when God assigns you a ministry task or a ministry territory, He also provides everything necessary to be successful in accomplishing your mission in your assigned metron.
The harder the territory, the more grace given. It doesn’t make any difference how hard the area or the task at hand is. You will find grace sufficient when you draw near to God. Much difficulty, much grace. Much hardship, much grace. Much sin, much grace. So how do we obtain this grace? The answer is through faith and prayer. scri pture declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Paradigm Shiftings
With the apostolic reformation, there will be at least four specific paradigm changes taking place within local churches. A paradigm is a model or pattern in which we function.
- Perhaps one of the most profound changes is a breaking free from the one-man-only paradigm. This paradigm requires the church to use all its marketing efforts and resources to draw people to a building where they are taught by only one ascension gift. The apostolic model will bring a sending dimension to the local church.
- The second change has a powerful impact on the goal of evangelism, taking it from just getting a decision for Christ to raising disciples of Christ.
- Third, there will be a major shift in the Church from an inward-focus only to an outward-focus of ministry. Not only will the local church be a place where people gather together to worship and find refreshing, it will also be the place where God reveals apostolic strategies and goals; a place where believers are commissioned and released into ministry.
- Finally, various apostolic teams will be built, activated and sent out into the surrounding city and into the nations of the world.
A true apostolic paradigm is one that gathers, teaches, equips, assigns, targets, builds, shapes, raises disciples, and deploys teams. Today, thousands of churches have no apostolic structure in place to move people beyond a teaching- or pastoring-only structure into one that sends believers into the harvest fields. This is changing now in the 21st century apostolic reformation. Emerging apostolic leaders are embracing these mighty truths as they equip the believers to fulfill the Great Commission.
© by Jonas Clark
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