Calling

Apostolic Order starts with having a Kingdom Mentality. A Kingdom Mentality is the understanding and submission to the sphere of God’s rule. Since, however, this earth is the scene of universal rebellion against God, the “kingdom” of God is the sphere in which His rule is acknowledged. God has not relinquished His sovereignty in the face of rebellion, demoniac and human, but has declared His purpose to establish it.

Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the new birth and cannot be attained by nature or any form of self-culture, but avails in the spiritual realm. The new nature, received in the new birth, is made evident by obedience. Only such as do the will of God shall enter into His Kingdom.Meantime, seeking willing obedience, He gave His law to a nation and appointed kings to administer His “kingdom” over it. The purpose of this administration is to provide spiritual covering and bring order to the earth.

The purpose of spiritual covering is to offer paternal protection and a place where the children who are discouraged can find shelter. Spiritual covering is like an umbrella of paternal spiritual protection that provides anointing, blessings, refuge, and rest. Furthermore, it feeds character, raises low self-esteem, and affirms the purpose. It is a continuous source of revelation and spiritual nourishment.

Spiritual covering is provided through the Five Fold Ministry, which begins with the authority of the apostle. The Five Fold Ministry is a body created with a pattern from heaven designed specifically to advance the Kingdom of God throughout our neighborhoods, cities, and the nations of the world and to execute spiritual government over our region. This network of ministers has the passion needed to win souls for Christ; to train, equip, and lead the new believers to maturity so they can fulfill God’s will and purpose for their lives.

This spiritual system is known as Apostolic Order. We believe True Revival is manifested in the midst of Apostolic Order.

Psalm 145:13 (New Living Translation)
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

Daniel 4:25 (New Living Translation)
25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.

Daniel 2:44 (New Living Translation)
44 “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.

Daniel 7:14 (New Living Translation)
14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Matthew 18:3 (New Living Translation)
3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

John 3:5 (New Living Translation)
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

Matthew 7:21 (New Living Translation)
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Acts 1:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Ephesians 2:20 (New Living Translation)
20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (New Living Translation)
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

This is a fundamental principle of the Kingdom ordained by God from the beginning. Marriage between a man and a woman is the will of God and the foundation of our community.  It also keeps our community free from immorality.  If the family is lost, community is lost and we lose the foundation of community.  It is why we protect the unity and sanctity of the marriage until death.  Furthermore, the family is a symbol of the church family.  This is why we protect the unity of the church.  When we lose unity in the church, we lose the foundation of the community in the Kingdom of God.The Book of Acts gives us a clear and concise picture of the first Apostolic Believers forming Community! We pay particular attention to “what” they are doing and “how” they are doing it!

Genesis 1:27 (New Living Translation)
27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Acts 2:42-47 (New Living Translation)
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Ephesians 2:19-21 (New Living Translation)
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Generosity and the gospel are inseparable. In fact, it is through generosity that we are enabled to understand and reflect God’s love in the first place.  Accordingly, if we fail to be generous, we have not understood the gospel or the love of God at all.  Neither generosity nor the gospel itself can be understood properly or promoted when one is separated from the other.

Today, our evangelistic efforts ought to be patterned after the same principles which guided the first Apostolic Church’s missionary efforts.  Unless Christian Tabernacle has a culture of generosity, our evangelistic efforts will be ineffective because generosity and the gospel are inseparable. However, when we as the contemporary church integrate the message of the gospel with the practice of sacrificial generosity, we imitate not only the example of the early Church, but the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

Giving generously is much more an attitude of the heart than a decision of the mind. God cares more about the posture of our hearts than simply the physical act of a gift from giver to receiver. We understand where all things come from, so it is with gratitude we provide for others as God directs.

Every Covenant Member of Christian Tabernacle is called to give of their Time, Talents, and Treasures. Time is the most valuable commodity we have. How we use it reflects our priorities, our values, and Who it is we obey and serve. We utilize our God-given skills, talent, experiences, and passions to serve others and further His Kingdom. Although God doesn’t need our money, He blesses us with money and resources so we can partner with Him in fulfilling His will on this earth.

God’s Word reminds us that we are stewards of what He has entrusted to us.

John 3:16 (New Living Translation)
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:17 (New Living Translation)
17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

2 Corinthians 8:9 (New Living Translation)
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

1 Chronicles 29:17 (New Living Translation)
17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (New Living Translation)
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Colossians 3:23-24 (New Living Translation)
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Psalm 90:12 (New Living Translation)
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 24:1 (New Living Translation)
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

Over the history of the world, climates have changed. In order for a climate to change, the atmosphere must change; the atmosphere must change frequently enough and for extended periods of time in order to affect the overall climate of an area. The same is true spiritually. Christian Tabernacle changes the spiritual climate of our city, beginning with change in the atmosphere. As we change the atmosphere, influence others to change the atmosphere and increase the frequency of the change, we see change in the overall spiritual climate of our region.

It is a revitalization project. When the city wants to “revitalize” an area, they develop a long-term plan. City planners know it could take 10 or more years to see long term change happen in a region.When Christian Tabernacle moved from Susan Street to Main Street, we understood that we were in a revitalization project and, over time, change would come to the city of Santa Ana.

Changing the atmosphere requires us to get past ourselves and those around us and simply worship our King. In order for a spiritual climate change to occur, the atmosphere must be changed on a regular basis. Uninhibited, unbridled Worship must become the norm.

The common denominator separating those who live out God’s destiny from those who live in regret is the ability to demonstrate a relentless commitment by taking constant and consistent actions.It is clear in the scripture that we are empowered by the Holy Ghost, first and foremost, to be His witnesses to the world. Before Jesus left the earth, He commanded His Church to “Go and make Disciples!” We are called to make Disciples.

We are called to bring change to our world, starting with our homes, communities, county, state, and nation.

2 Kings 3:15-17
15 “But get me someone to play some music.” While the musician was playing, the Lord’s power came over Elisha. 16 He said, “This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. 17 You will not see wind or rain, but this valley will be filled with water. You, your cattle, and your other animals will drink.”

Zechariah 10:1
1 Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

Isaiah 60:1-2
1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

Hebrews 9:10 (New Living Translation)
10 For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.

Matthew 28:19 (New Living Translation)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 (New Living Translation)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”