Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus
by the command of God our Savior 
and of Christ Jesus our hope.
–1 Timothy 1:1 (NIV)–

Christ himself gave the apostles, 
the prophets, the evangelists, 
the pastors and teachers.
–Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)–

Evangelists and missionaries that operated more like independent Spirit-led apostles, with or without the current approval, oversight, and licensure of local Baptist elders: Amos (“I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son,” 7:14), John the Baptist and Jesus Christ our Lord (“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things,” Matthew 21:27), Apostle Paul (“Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus,” Galatians 1:17), Barnabas, Philip, Hudson Taylor, Saint Patrick, Saint Columba, John Wesley, Charles Finney, George Müller, Leonard Ravenhill, Amy Carmichael, C. T. Studd, William Booth, and David Wilkerson (last ten years). –J.B.

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WesleyGospel, “Debunking Cessationism.” 1. Galatians 1. An apostle is directly sent by Jesus, through a vision, dream, or other such prophetic experience (1:1, 12). He has received a revelation about the Gospel of lordship salvation (1:4); and he does not receive his preaching ordination from men, but only directly from God (1:17-20). 2. 1 Corinthians 4. An apostle suffers so much that he feels he has been given the death penalty; and made a spectacle of suffering to both men and angels (4:9). They are made to look like fools for Christ, because of their walk of faith, and desire to be guided by the Holy Spirit in their decisions (4:10). They are hated; they suffer hunger, thirst, poor clothing, beatings, and homelessness (4:10-11); they do manual labor; they are made fun of and are persecuted (4:12); and their reputations are defamed by slanderous lies (4:13). 3. 1 Corinthians 9. An apostle has seen Jesus at least once in a vision or dream (9:1). He may not be viewed as an apostle by all Christians, but he will be to those who have been blessed by his influence and ministry (9:2). He can be married (9:5); and can quit work and live off of ministry donations (9:6-11); but he also realizes that living 100% from ministry donations is likely going to hinder people from receiving the Gospel (9:12): but not in all cases (9:13-14). The overall sense that apostles feel is that preaching the Gospel should be free of charge (9:15-18), because there is more reward in that; and its considered an abuse to charge money for preaching the Gospel. Apostles are interracial in their ministry scope (9:20-23); and they make quality friendships with the poor (“the weak”) so they can be saved (9:22). They understand conditional security, so they discipline their lives, and embrace their sufferings as from God (9:27). 4. 2 Corinthians 12:12. They exhibit all of “the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.”

Mack Tomlinson, In Light of Eternity: The Life of Leonard Ravenhill (Granted Ministries Press, 2019). It could be said that Ravenhill sat under the teaching of “Dr. Tozer” and David Wilkerson at different points, being employed by them in the Alliance and Assemblies of God, but not all the time. Ravenhill got his own leading from the Holy Spirit and was often an independent evangelist. Although Wesley kept his preaching license under the “covering” of the Church of England; and Wilkerson did so with Assemblies of God for most of his life–both men rejected their licenses in the last ten years of their lives, when they decided to found the Methodist Episcopal Church in America and Times Square Church respectively.

The Confession of Saint Patrick (Image, 1998).

J. Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor (Bethany House, 1987).

William Hendriksen, 1&2 Timothy and Titus (Banner of Truth, 1972).

Dr. John R. Rice, The Evangelist (Sword, 1968).