Today many church leaders or leaders of ministries online boast that they are apostles and gain influence through this. But how can we tell the true apostle from the FALSE?

The first thing is to become familiar with the characteristics of the true apostle:

See my article  APOSTOLIC MINISTRY: 7 CHARACTERISTICS OF APOSTLES

Workers at the bank know when a bank note is false because they become familiar with the real bank notes first.

Secondly, Paul teaches the Corinthian Church how to distinguish the false apostle by listing his characteristics:

1. Preach another gospel

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (2 Cor 11:4)

Today many preach a gospel of prosperity and giving money that puts us or them at the centre and not Jesus.

Preaching repentance, which is as the heart of the Gospel,  and necessary to enter into friendship with Jesus, is avoided so that no-one is put off.

See also RETURNING TO THE APOSTOLIC GOSPEL: 4 WAYS IT IS SO MUCH BIGGER.

2. Like to boast, are proud (2 Cor 11:12)

The false apostles in the Corinthian Church loved to impress the believers with boasting about their gifts, visions and revelations (2 Cor 12:1). Paul preferred to boast about his weaknesses (2 Cor 12:5):

“I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.”

3. Say they are apostles without the characteristics of apostles.

See my checklist again at APOSTOLIC MINISTRY: 7 CHARACTERISTICS OF APOSTLES

4. Speak with eloquence without authority and power

The false apostles spoke eloquently but Paul points out that it’s not about who speaks best but about real spiritual knowledge that is from Jesus and changes lives (2 Cor 11:6). Only true apostles preach this with authority and power.

Howell Harris the Methodist revivalist spoke with such authority and power that people would fall under conviction of their sins and cry out for mercy!!

5. Enslave and exploit others

Since their speaking isn’t for free, false apostles have other motives. They use their position and their preaching to gain influence and to exploit. This is what they did at the Corinthian Church and Paul was shocked that the believers allowed themselves to be exploited and preferred them over Paul who never used them!!

“In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face.” (2 Cor 11:20)

Compare the Methodist founder and apostle John Wesley whogave all his money away to help others and died poor.

6. Preach the gospel to gain money or influence

Paul did everything he could to ensure that he preached the Gospel for free to the Corinthians (2 Cor 11:7-9)

Today preachers preach but for a price, or take an offering or sell their books to support their ministry and live a nice lifestyle. A real apostle doesn’t do this. Jesus said to his apostles:

“Freely you have received,  freely give” (Mt 10:8)

7. Are the kings of the world and the church

Paul confronted the Corinthians who had started to live proudly, as their false apostles did, as kings. As if they already had everything and didn’t need anything more and criticising those who now looked like poor people by comparison, as they didn’t boast!! (1 Cor 4:8)

But the true Gospel is one of humility and always receiving more of the grace of God and passing onto others!

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To learn how to raise up true apostles read RAISING UP APOSTLES: 4 WAYS TO IDENTIFY AND RELEASE

Do you want a heart with apostolic passion? My book GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL is designed especially to help stir us up to have an apostolic heart, with stories that include many apostles. Do read for a great devotional experience.