Someone recently asked us in the ministry, what is ‘Apostolic Grace?’ After responding privately to their question, we decided that it would be great to share our answer with everyone. For the sake of brevity concerning this post, we did not quote the scriptures in our response. If you want to get a greater understanding of our answer, please take the time to look up, read and study the scriptures that are included. Some additional comments were added to bring additional clarity for this post.
Here is our response:
“To answer your question, ‘Apostolic Grace’ is a Christian colloquialism. To explain what it means requires that we first must understand that the following:
1. A Spiritual Gift vs An Anointing. A spiritual gift is a special dispensation given as the Holy Ghost decides. It is supernatural enablement designated for a specific time, place or people. It can be temporary or last a prolonged period of time. A good example would be when the ‘gift of prophecy’ comes upon a pastor to prophesy while they are ministering. They are flowing in that gift for that part of the message. It was for that specific time, place and people. When the moment has passed, they return to their normal level of ministry. The flow of prophecy in that example is not a consistent full-time part of their normal ministry.
An Anointing is the supernatural empowerment as given by the Holy Spirit. In general, an anointing tends to be more consistent and continually resident than the occasional spiritual gift. The person operating in an ‘anointing’ is usually aware that the Holy Spirit has given them that divine enablement and has their faith built up in that area. As a result, they can consistently flow in that spiritual gift. Some different examples of gifts/anointings by the Holy Spirit ) can be found in 1 Cor 12-1-11.
2. The Five-Fold Ministry. The Five-Fold ministry is a term referring to the Office of Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor and Evangelist. (1 Cor 12:28 and Eph 4:11-12). These are Heaven’s Governmental Offices. They are NOT merely a spiritual gift or an anointing. They are based in ‘Given Authority’. If we understand that all power and authority comes from God, (Rom 13:1) then we will also understand that True Authority can only be given. It can only be given by God and those who He delegates to walk in authority. Anything other than ‘Given Authority’ is presumptuous, assumed, artificially created or stolen. Any other attempt to gain authority other than through Jesus Christ is false. We see Jesus making the statement that All Power has been given to Him by God. (Mat 28:18, John 10:1 ). We subsequently see Jesus in turn ‘Give’ Authority to some men through the Five-Fold Ministry (Eph 4:11 “And He gave some Apostles…”)
It is crucial to understand that those that operate in the Office of the Five-Fold Ministry function from a governmental authority perspective and not merely from an anointing or gift perspective!
3. The ‘Call’ To Ministry. A ‘Call’ on someone’s life is an unction or leading from the Lord that there is a specific task or area of ministry that He wants them to fulfill. For example, someone may receive a ‘Call’ to become a Pastor or a Teacher. Since we are agents of Free Will, we have the right to choose whether we will be obedient to that call or not. However, a ‘Call’ on someone’s life does not mean that they have been chosen or that they have been released into that office (Mat 22:14). The Lord may desire for them to go into a certain area of ministry, but for whatever reason, they have not been chosen, released or authorized. Such releasing and authorization can only come through the ordination or release from an established Presbytery that was given True Authority. They may not have been chosen because it is simply not time yet and that there is more maturing and preparation that needs to be done in their life. Perhaps, the person is not connected to the correct ministry that God ordained. Perhaps, the reason is as severe as that person may be operating in open rebellion and has purposed to go against what the Lord is leading them to do. Regardless of the reason, a ‘Call’ is totally distinct and separate from being in the ‘Five-Fold Ministry Office.
Now that we understand the rudiments of the difference between a ‘Call’, Spiritual Gifts, Anointings and the Offices of the Five Fold Ministry, we are now in a position to answer your original question of “What is Apostolic Grace?”. As mentioned before, it is a Christian colloquialism that has become popular in Charismatic, Apostolic and Prophetic circles to express the fact that someone has an anointing to operate in a certain area. It is another way of saying that someone has an anointing. But having an anointing DOES NOT mean that they are operating in or been released to a Five-Fold Ministry Office.
It is also important to note that is possible for someone to have an Office in one area and have a ‘grace’ (or anointing) for another area. Here is a common example of one that is often seen in churches: A person that operates in the office of Pastor but has a ‘Grace’ or an ‘Anointing’ for Teaching. Another example could be someone that is in the office of Prophet but has a ‘grace’ for Pastoring. There are different types inside of the various offices also. There are different kinds of Apostles. There are different kinds of Prophets, etc. Any combination of the Five Fold Ministry Offices and their corresponding types and Anointings are possible seeing as it is the Holy Spirit that gives them out as He decides.
For someone to have said to you that you have an ‘Apostolic Grace’ on your life is an indication that they perceived that you have an anointing on your life (or a flavor if you will) towards the Apostolic mantle. To briefly give you a summary of what that means: an Apostle tends to have the following characteristics that are distinctive from the other Ministry Offices. They tend in general to have a bottom line attitude. They tend to have the discernment to be able to see both the natural and spiritual root causes and reasons for people’s problems and behaviors, regional attitudes and culture and even government policies. They can see the demonic spirits attempting to influence, manipulate and operate behind the human faces and behaviors, in churches and governmental policies They tend to be concerned about order and protocol. They tend to be intolerant of foolishness. They tend to discern and identify manipulative and deceitful behaviors quickly. They are observant and discerning. But with all of that, they must still operate with Love, Kindness, Humility and Grace of speech. This is by no means an entire listing of characteristics but just some to give you an idea.
We pray that the Lord will give you more understanding and clarity about the Call and Grace that is upon your life. We pray that He will open the eyes of your understanding and cause you to fully see and know what is the Hope of His calling and the riches of His inheritance for you! Eph 1:17-19
.“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” -Eph 1:17-19 KJV
We pray that helps! Thank you for trusting in us to give you the answer according to The Word!”
May God’s Grace Abundantly Reign In Your Life!
-Apostle Ric Steele
Consider Adding These Discernment Resources To Your Library!
Doors & Chambers Book and Training Manuals
An Apostolic and Prophetic View of God’s Process for Personal Growth and Ministry
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
According to the Scripture, Romans 8:28 says- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” The questions is, how do all these things work out to our benefit? God is a “God that declares “The End” from “The Beginning”. However, we must understand that He is also a God of process. There is a process that takes from the beginning unto the end.
By Dr. Ric Steele
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Be sure to check out our other blogs!
- The Prophetic Voice
- LITES – (Leaders In Training of an Excellent Spirit) A Blog for the Youth!
If you haven’t already, download The Due Season App!
- Get it at Apple, Google Play, Windows & Amazon stores
Ric Steele Ministries 