i am so tired of hearing "I am an Apostle" and "I am a Prophet". Are you really? Jesus said "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true." So where is all the self promotion coming from among Christians. And i have heard people tell me about their "call" till i could scream. If someone is called to be a prophet, then the first place anyone else should hear of it is by the Holy Spirit. They should not have to proclaim themselves. If they must bear witness of themselves, then their witness is not true. Others should be bearing witness of them, by the leading of the Holy Spirit. There should be some witness to their call as an apostle or prophet, other than their own voice.
There is far too much positioning and politics in the local church. Everyone wants to be somebody, and they love their titles. We have pastors demanding "call me Doctor Smith" or "call me Reverend Jones". If they were respected, they wouldn't need to demand the use of a title. You can not command respect by putting a title before your name. If you are called to a position of authority, and you are walking in that position, others will see that call and respond. If you are constantly having to remind them "I'm a prophet" there is a problem.
This is an old problem, even the disciples vied for rank and position under Jesus. But Jesus rebuked this spirit, saying "He who would be first shall be last". Climb all you want on the ladder of church politics, proclaim your own worth and authority until the Kingdom comes. That which is exalted will be brought low. All those striving for position will be driven away before the Lord of Lords. They do not seek to serve, but to rule. They are wolves in the disguise of sheep. They have the name of being alive but are dead.
The administrations of apostles, prophet, pastor, teacher, etc. are, of course, GOD ordained and should be respected. i am not detracting from those with a real call to lead the sheep. But those blessed men and women lead in meekness, never promoting themselves, honoring GOD and serving His children. Jesus said that a shepherd will give his life for the sheep, but a hireling only feeds off the fold. Those who proclaim their own worth are worthless servants, clouds without rain, empty. They scream their own praise, for inwardly they are wretched and void. They persecute the true saints, jealous of the Spirit within them. They seek to destroy what they do not have, and steal what they can. Paul called these a blemish on our fellowship.
i praise GOD for His obedient children, full of grace and wisdom. They are the spirit and the light of our fellowship. But there is another problem in our midst. The scoffers, who have no respect for those called and annointed to service. They allow no authority, no guidance. They are "only under GOD", not obedient to any man. They recognize no authority save their own. They mock the prophets, show disdain for the apostles and pastors. They are weeds and stubble, choaking the fields of the Lord. They refuse to come under obedience, proclaiming their "christian liberty". But they are simply rebelious, even to our Lord. They hide behind their 'liberty' that they may follow their own path. They will not hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and they mock Him when He speaks through His prophets. They hear their own voice and no other. These are the allies of the false boasters, in the persecution of the saints.
Jesus ordained His Church, and promised that the Gates of Hell would not stand against it. It is He who ordained His servants, chose His apostles, and gives voice to His prophets. Christ is the Head of His Church. Those who usurp His rightful servants by falsely proclaiming their own false authority war against GOD, as do they who deny His servants out of hand. Give no ear to their boasting of authorities or their ravings of liberty. Christ has set His servants and ordained their authority. The Holy Spirit bears witness of them, and empowers their ministry. To oppose our Lords elect is to oppose Him.