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Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement
Did the spiritual office of apostle cease with the early Church? What does the Bible say about the continuation of this little understood but fascinating gift? Dr. David Cannistraci has produced the first definitive book on the subject of modern-day apostles-those gifted especially to plant, nurture and mobilize groups of churches in Christ-directed networks of Kingdom ministry. Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement provides a carefully constructed and thorough biblical rationale for the continuing presence of this office today. God is not only raising up apostles, but a movement of ordinary people who are apostolic-Christians who are dynamically involved in active, bold ministry that focuses on the planting and nurturing of churches and productive ministry.
212 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1996
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December 30, 2024
A PREDICTION OF A 'REBIRTH' FROM THIS EMERGING MOVEMENT
Author David Cannistraci wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, “God promised that prior to the second coming of Christ, a restoration would occur---a setting back in order---within the Church [he cites Acts 3:21]… During the past four centuries, we have seen this restoration of the Church gradually unfold. We have recovered many of the critical truths and experiences that were lost in the darkness of the Middle Ages… In the 20th century, we have see similar restorations of divine healing, the gifts of the Spirit and a renewal in praise and worship… It is awe inspiring to consider how quickly the Church is returning to New Testament dynamism. As a part of this process of restoration, we have seen a partial rebirth of the gift ministries of Ephesians 4:11 within the Church (i.e., apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers)… In the ‘80s, we witnessed the beginnings of a remarkable openness to the widespread operation of the prophetic ministry. One office has yet to be restored in the same measure…I believe it is a missing link in the chain of restoration: We still need the office of the apostle to manifest in its fullness.” (Pg. 18)
He continues, “many in the Body of Christ sense that the apostolic ministry is the next ministry God will begin to restore. Could it be that now, at the dawn of a new millennium, the apostle is being reborn, and that a great worldwide movement of apostles is about to mature? If this is so, we need the specific direction, revelation and preparation that His Word provides us. We need to answer some tough questions: What is an apostle? How does an apostle function in the Church? What will the apostolic movement consist of? These are the questions faced and answered in these pages.” (Pg. 19)
He goes on, “One of the things we will learn in this book is that the Spirit of God is an Apostolic Spirit; His nature and personality are apostolic. The New Testament word ‘apostle’ means ‘sent one.’ … The Spirit of God … is supernatural, invasive and life changing, and when He is poured out we can expect to see apostolic results: miracles, invasions of His work and changed lives… we must not forget that other moves, according to Peter, were coming… the promise of outpouring was not only to the generation of believers at Pentecost, but also to generations yet to come… We have read great reports in church history of these kinds of visitations, particularly within the last 150 years, but something greater is surely set for the future. An end-time move of God is coming that will eclipse all other revivals in history… Many sense that at present this wave is mounting, that the Church is already tasting the firstfruits of another massive end-time revival. An explosion of apostolic proportion is hitting the world. We are living in the first moments of a turning tide within the Church, and like the first wave, this wave will shape our new millennium… For the first time in history, missiologists are of the mind that we have all the necessary resources---spiritual, financial, and human---to fulfill the Great Commission by the end of this decade!” (Pg. 24-26)
He adds, “The purpose of this book is to alert the Body of Christ to the fact that a great apostolic blaze is springing up in our midst, and is developing into an exciting manifestation of its ministry. Scriptural and prophetic truths will help the Body of Christ be aware of the apostolic movement’s nature and purpose. We need encouragement and direction in how to flow with this movement, and guidelines and inspiration for the vast number who are called to become the new generation of apostles and apostolic people.” (Pg. 30)
He explains, “In this book, we are defining an ‘apostle’ as one who is called and sent by Christ to have the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing local churches… ‘Apostolic people’ are Christians who support and participate in apostolic ministry, but are not actual apostles… ‘Apostolic churches’ are churches that recognize and relate to modern-day apostles and are active in varying forms of apostolic ministry.” (Pg. 29)
He outlines, “the key ingredients of the emerging apostolic movement … will be measured in four important dimensions. 1. Restoring the New Testament Office of the Apostle… 2. Imparting Christ’s Apostolic Anointing… 3. A Dramatic Revival of Supernatural Signs, Wonders and Miracles…. 4. A Worldwide Deployment of Thousands of Apostles.” (Pg. 34-36)
He states, ‘the entire Body of Christ is responsible for carrying out the apostolic vision of the Father at some level… One of the questions many will ask as they learn that God is calling forth apostles in this hour is: Am I one of them?... How does a person know if he or she is called beyond the role of an apostolic person to actually become an apostle?... Four progressive stages are involved in calling an apostle, and in the person’s awareness of that calling: 1. The Intuition of a Call…2. The Intimation of a Call… 3. The Indication of a Call… 4. The Impartation of a Call… The calling will come intuitively and will ultimately progress to an impartation of supernatural power. Now it is necessary for us to be alert and responsive to the apostolic call.” (Pg. 51-53)
He asserts, “God will not call just 12 apostles to change the world. Instead, He will establish a vast company of apostles and everyday apostolic people who will be supernaturally empowered. The Holy Spirit will be poured out upon the entire Church in a brand new dimension, and then it will be able to accomplish its mission.” (Pg. 65)
He argues, “Three additional compelling reasons for the existence of apostles today must be considered: 1. We need them… 2. Scripture never indicates that the office of the apostle would cease… 3. The Bible teaches that they will function perennially… The word ‘until’ [in Eph 4:13] is important. Clearly the Church has not yet arrived at that place of perfection and maturity. The apostle must remain an enduring function, office and call as an essential part of the Body of Christ until that objective is accomplished.” (Pg. 81)
He explains, “The Seven Responsibilities of an Apostle… *Planting Churches… *Overseeing and Strengthening Churches… *Developing Leaders… *Ordaining Ministries… *Supervising and Coordinating Ministries… *Managing Crisis… *Networking with Other Ministries.” (Pg. 100-103)
He observes, “How tragic that the Church has operated for so long with so little miraculous power. Like the apostles in the early part of their ministries, we have been given authority, but we have lacked power. Through Jesus gave the Twelve all authority… the apostles at one point were unable to cast out a demonic spirit that was woefully oppressing a young boy. Though they had the spiritual AUTHORITY, they lacked the spiritual POWER. When the father of the child approached Jesus … Jesus sharply corrected them … and proceeded to deliver the boy himself.” (Pg. 161)
He recounts, “One example of an attempt to unite apostles occurred in the United States. It was the popular charismatic Network of Christian Ministries (NCM)… The NCM has its origin in 1982 when network founders … discussed the need for a network that would blend the major streams of the charismatic movement in relational movement and harmony. The network was organized into a governing body of leaders… [which] brought together every part of the classical Pentecostal, neo-Pentecostal and charismatic church streams… BY the 4th annual conference … most of the national leaders of the charismatic renewal were involved. Sadly, the network did not survive… Dr. Cannistraci identified the network’s breakup as … a failure to answer the cry of the ‘spiritual sons’ for fathering…. The sons were calling for a movement of the fathers… Tragically, the cry was never fully answered.” (Pg. 194-195)
He concludes, “We are living in the early stages of a great apostolic movement, and are experiencing a rebirth of the ministry of the apostle. Jesus is calling thousands of sent ones to arise in this hour. A great apostolic company is arising.” (Pg. 199)
This book will appeal to supporters of the New Apostolic Movement… but be rejected by some others.
Author David Cannistraci wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, “God promised that prior to the second coming of Christ, a restoration would occur---a setting back in order---within the Church [he cites Acts 3:21]… During the past four centuries, we have seen this restoration of the Church gradually unfold. We have recovered many of the critical truths and experiences that were lost in the darkness of the Middle Ages… In the 20th century, we have see similar restorations of divine healing, the gifts of the Spirit and a renewal in praise and worship… It is awe inspiring to consider how quickly the Church is returning to New Testament dynamism. As a part of this process of restoration, we have seen a partial rebirth of the gift ministries of Ephesians 4:11 within the Church (i.e., apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers)… In the ‘80s, we witnessed the beginnings of a remarkable openness to the widespread operation of the prophetic ministry. One office has yet to be restored in the same measure…I believe it is a missing link in the chain of restoration: We still need the office of the apostle to manifest in its fullness.” (Pg. 18)
He continues, “many in the Body of Christ sense that the apostolic ministry is the next ministry God will begin to restore. Could it be that now, at the dawn of a new millennium, the apostle is being reborn, and that a great worldwide movement of apostles is about to mature? If this is so, we need the specific direction, revelation and preparation that His Word provides us. We need to answer some tough questions: What is an apostle? How does an apostle function in the Church? What will the apostolic movement consist of? These are the questions faced and answered in these pages.” (Pg. 19)
He goes on, “One of the things we will learn in this book is that the Spirit of God is an Apostolic Spirit; His nature and personality are apostolic. The New Testament word ‘apostle’ means ‘sent one.’ … The Spirit of God … is supernatural, invasive and life changing, and when He is poured out we can expect to see apostolic results: miracles, invasions of His work and changed lives… we must not forget that other moves, according to Peter, were coming… the promise of outpouring was not only to the generation of believers at Pentecost, but also to generations yet to come… We have read great reports in church history of these kinds of visitations, particularly within the last 150 years, but something greater is surely set for the future. An end-time move of God is coming that will eclipse all other revivals in history… Many sense that at present this wave is mounting, that the Church is already tasting the firstfruits of another massive end-time revival. An explosion of apostolic proportion is hitting the world. We are living in the first moments of a turning tide within the Church, and like the first wave, this wave will shape our new millennium… For the first time in history, missiologists are of the mind that we have all the necessary resources---spiritual, financial, and human---to fulfill the Great Commission by the end of this decade!” (Pg. 24-26)
He adds, “The purpose of this book is to alert the Body of Christ to the fact that a great apostolic blaze is springing up in our midst, and is developing into an exciting manifestation of its ministry. Scriptural and prophetic truths will help the Body of Christ be aware of the apostolic movement’s nature and purpose. We need encouragement and direction in how to flow with this movement, and guidelines and inspiration for the vast number who are called to become the new generation of apostles and apostolic people.” (Pg. 30)
He explains, “In this book, we are defining an ‘apostle’ as one who is called and sent by Christ to have the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing local churches… ‘Apostolic people’ are Christians who support and participate in apostolic ministry, but are not actual apostles… ‘Apostolic churches’ are churches that recognize and relate to modern-day apostles and are active in varying forms of apostolic ministry.” (Pg. 29)
He outlines, “the key ingredients of the emerging apostolic movement … will be measured in four important dimensions. 1. Restoring the New Testament Office of the Apostle… 2. Imparting Christ’s Apostolic Anointing… 3. A Dramatic Revival of Supernatural Signs, Wonders and Miracles…. 4. A Worldwide Deployment of Thousands of Apostles.” (Pg. 34-36)
He states, ‘the entire Body of Christ is responsible for carrying out the apostolic vision of the Father at some level… One of the questions many will ask as they learn that God is calling forth apostles in this hour is: Am I one of them?... How does a person know if he or she is called beyond the role of an apostolic person to actually become an apostle?... Four progressive stages are involved in calling an apostle, and in the person’s awareness of that calling: 1. The Intuition of a Call…2. The Intimation of a Call… 3. The Indication of a Call… 4. The Impartation of a Call… The calling will come intuitively and will ultimately progress to an impartation of supernatural power. Now it is necessary for us to be alert and responsive to the apostolic call.” (Pg. 51-53)
He asserts, “God will not call just 12 apostles to change the world. Instead, He will establish a vast company of apostles and everyday apostolic people who will be supernaturally empowered. The Holy Spirit will be poured out upon the entire Church in a brand new dimension, and then it will be able to accomplish its mission.” (Pg. 65)
He argues, “Three additional compelling reasons for the existence of apostles today must be considered: 1. We need them… 2. Scripture never indicates that the office of the apostle would cease… 3. The Bible teaches that they will function perennially… The word ‘until’ [in Eph 4:13] is important. Clearly the Church has not yet arrived at that place of perfection and maturity. The apostle must remain an enduring function, office and call as an essential part of the Body of Christ until that objective is accomplished.” (Pg. 81)
He explains, “The Seven Responsibilities of an Apostle… *Planting Churches… *Overseeing and Strengthening Churches… *Developing Leaders… *Ordaining Ministries… *Supervising and Coordinating Ministries… *Managing Crisis… *Networking with Other Ministries.” (Pg. 100-103)
He observes, “How tragic that the Church has operated for so long with so little miraculous power. Like the apostles in the early part of their ministries, we have been given authority, but we have lacked power. Through Jesus gave the Twelve all authority… the apostles at one point were unable to cast out a demonic spirit that was woefully oppressing a young boy. Though they had the spiritual AUTHORITY, they lacked the spiritual POWER. When the father of the child approached Jesus … Jesus sharply corrected them … and proceeded to deliver the boy himself.” (Pg. 161)
He recounts, “One example of an attempt to unite apostles occurred in the United States. It was the popular charismatic Network of Christian Ministries (NCM)… The NCM has its origin in 1982 when network founders … discussed the need for a network that would blend the major streams of the charismatic movement in relational movement and harmony. The network was organized into a governing body of leaders… [which] brought together every part of the classical Pentecostal, neo-Pentecostal and charismatic church streams… BY the 4th annual conference … most of the national leaders of the charismatic renewal were involved. Sadly, the network did not survive… Dr. Cannistraci identified the network’s breakup as … a failure to answer the cry of the ‘spiritual sons’ for fathering…. The sons were calling for a movement of the fathers… Tragically, the cry was never fully answered.” (Pg. 194-195)
He concludes, “We are living in the early stages of a great apostolic movement, and are experiencing a rebirth of the ministry of the apostle. Jesus is calling thousands of sent ones to arise in this hour. A great apostolic company is arising.” (Pg. 199)
This book will appeal to supporters of the New Apostolic Movement… but be rejected by some others.
December 1, 2018
This is an older book. It was written in 1996 I believe but a lot of the information in this book is still relevant and current for today's apostolic move of God. Anyone that feels a calling in the apostolic arena, this book is for you. It primarily deals with apostles but the book covers all five offices of the five fold ministry. One of the biggest discussions in this book is if there can be modern day apostles. His answer is yes. There is also discussion about female apostles. Is this possible. The writer leans towards a "yes" also. There is a lot of great practical information about the five fold ministry. It was a very good read.
April 25, 2025
Full of hype, sweeping assertions, generic predictions, loose exegesis.
Has a section titled "The apostolic movement appears certain". Oxymoron much?
What's the difference between apostleship and the call to discipleship? Unadressed.
A lack of value for the glory of God and the gospel!
Chapters 7-11 on what an apostle is have some good material.
The conflation of computer network and fishing net, is embarrasing and damaging to a biblical conception of church and mission.
Has a section titled "The apostolic movement appears certain". Oxymoron much?
What's the difference between apostleship and the call to discipleship? Unadressed.
A lack of value for the glory of God and the gospel!
Chapters 7-11 on what an apostle is have some good material.
The conflation of computer network and fishing net, is embarrasing and damaging to a biblical conception of church and mission.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews