Apostleship = pioneering + overseeing new moves of the Spirit

The gift of apostleship is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training. 

Jesus designated His disciples as apostles. There’s a lot of debate in the church today as to whether that office still exists, whether people should take that title for themselves, or whether it just passed away when the original apostles died. Short version: I believe the office still exists, even though that’s not the point I’m getting to here...

This leads us to an important observation: 

• An apostle might be a spiritual gift someone has
• It could also be one of the five-fold offices we mention in chapter 13 of the LifeLift book and chapter 12 of the workbook (see Ephesians 4:11-12)
• Or it could simply be a role someone has

Context

In Roman culture an “apostle” was someone sent from the Empire to new areas that were conquered by Rome. They would begin living the culture of Rome in the new area, showing people there what it was to be Roman. They put the lifestyle on display and made it beautiful, something people would want to join. They would teach of Rome, speaking of it informally and formally. They would show people the greatness of the new sovereign.

Is this not what we are all to do with the Kingdom? 

Are we not all apostles in this sense?

Paul also says that we are ambassadors.  

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God” (NIV). 

The title ambassador is closely related to that of an apostle. You see, the American embassy in a foreign country is actually considered American soil. It has diplomatic immunity, and the foreign nationals in the country in which the embassy is located will not enter without permission from America.

In addition, anywhere the ambassador makes his home is considered to be American soil. That is, the ambassador literally takes American soil with him wherever he or she goes.

Personal example 

When I was in Uganda several years ago,  I visited the American Embassy with a friend. As he is Ugandan, they would not let him in. 

Since I am an American, I was given admittance. In fact, it was surprisingly very easy to enter with the correct credentials.

As I walked through the guard house (which was more like a small compound) and into the yard area, I realized that I could come here for refuge and safety if I never needed it. Any citizen could. It is an entrance into my country, even though it is in a foreign nation. 

This gives me insight as to what Paul was saying: The Kingdom goes wherever you go. 

You are an ambassador, so it follows you…

Your work, your home... your car and your bike... they are all outposts, territories, and turf of Heaven. 

Jesus did say, “You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you” (Luke 17:21, NLT).

Maybe this, too, is what He meant when He said you are in the world but not of it. You are an apostle, an ambassador. You bring Heaven here.

Remember 

Remember, though, when it comes to supernatural gifts, we’re referring to THE WAY the Spirit expresses Himself in high-octane ways through people. It’s far more than just a role or a way of life.

Apostles generally oversee church networks. 

Or ministries with far-reaching implications.

Or they launch those works, pioneer them, and then move on.

And it’s possible some of them function in business, as well.

See also Acts 15:22-35, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Galatians 2:7-10, Ephesians 4:11-14.