An important rule of life, then, for proven apostles is: no unforgiveness, no self-pity, and no bitterness. John Alley

Those with the right heart do not become bitter; rather, full of understanding, they hold to love and forgiveness, which is Christ within. The apostle seeks never to carry hidden bitterness or minister out of bitterness. John Alley

No one becomes an apostle without experiencing betrayal. John Alley

An apostle, therefore, must be established thoroughly in grace, made unlikely to fall, clean and holy in the Lord’s eyes, with every form of vested interest and party spirit cleaned away. Then might they be given a trust, an imbuement of the personal authority of Christ in caring for the church. John Alley

Amongst claims to be an apostle, then, we have two categories – the real, and the interloper. The Lord builds up the one; the church is supposed to weed out the other. John Alley

If the life of the church is to go to another level of grace altogether, then it makes perfect sense to say that the leadership of the church will be brought to another level of grace and maturity as well! John Alley

Some individuals may seem gentle, but it may emanate from weakness of character or personality. Significant about apostles is that (like Christ) gentleness of spirit is the formed, mature character of someone who has strength, authority, and power. John Alley

The real apostle has a big heart, and this heart is given in the service of the saints with great patience and long-suffering. John Alley

Therefore, all apostolic and prophetic leadership is not just modelled upon Christ, but is joined to Him. To be an apostle or prophet, we serve and build with the heart and mind of Jesus, or the claim is “straw” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). John Alley

This care and responsibility for the greater church is what every apostle must feel deeply to be an apostle at all. John Alley