Many a great battle is won, and many a strong evil disempowered in the quiet place of an apostle’s late nights and early mornings, or together with others in the prayer meetings of a holy Christian community. John Alley
#apostles #church #prayer
God always has appointed leaders for His people. With leadership comes a deep sense of responsibility for outcomes and for people. It’s an in-built, God-given capacity. Leaders care, and they act. John Alley
The exercise of apostolic authority is neither controlling nor legalistic. Apostles do not seek to own the property, control the funds, or even impose upon a local work what the vision for the work ought to be. An apostle does not need to own anything but the doctrine of Christ and the love of the believers. John Alley
The great, protracted battle currently being waged in the spirit realm, unseen and unfelt by many, is in fact over apostolic authority. What needs to be understood about spiritual warfare is that a battle in the spirit realm involves not only a fight with demonic powers, it is simultaneously a struggle that takes place in the lives of leaders and believers. John Alley
City eldership is not only a significantly different concept to local congregational leadership, it is also radically different and far superior to denominational leadership structures, is properly suited to the need, and as well, it matches the spirit and letter of the biblical position. John Alley
When the New Testament speaks of appointing elders, it calls for elders in “every church” and over “every town” (as cited above). The terms “church” and “town” here are interchangeable, for biblically, in any given city or region, though there may be many fellowships and many leaders, there is but one Body. John Alley
It is Christ who chooses His apostles, equips and tests them, and finally will commission them. This is never to be a glib matter for the laying on of hands. John Alley
No apostle can appoint another person to be an apostle – or appoint a prophet, for that matter. This is not an authority given to mankind. Only Christ appoints an apostle or a prophet (and in reality, this principle applies to the whole of the five-fold ministry). John Alley
But spiritual covering, whilst it certainly includes all the above, is much more. It is a power anointing – an impartation of grace. It is the power and presence of the Lord Jesus brought home in a corporate way that provides both protection and blessing for God’s people. John Alley
