An Apostolic Tale

Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived pastors and prophets and intercessors.  The prophets of this time rode from church to church befriending the pastors and encouraging the people with magic words about their destiny.  It was during this time that waves of revival swept through the land.

The prophets and revivalists continued to travel to and fro throughout the land in their quest to ignite the passion of the people.  The people were blessed, and the prophets and revivalists were confident that they were carrying out the wishes of the king.  The coffers were full to overflowing.

Gazing in their crystal ball, the prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists decreed that it was time for the apostles to take their place in the kingdom.  Looking through their ranks, they wondered who would be the heirs to the apostolic throne.  Several men boldly stepped forward to claim their place as apostles and to set forth the order of the realm of the apostles.

The newly recognized apostles soon convinced everyone wide and far that the reign of the apostles was vital for the survival and future success of the kingdom.  Recognizing the great need and opportunity of the day, prophets, pastors, and teachers heroically exchanged their dusty titles and swords as the people of the land eagerly sought after apostles to follow.

Magnificent ceremonies were held as men commissioned and ordained one another to be apostles, kneeling in the presence of throngs of people as their brother apostles “knighted” them for service to the king. As this elite group of gallant knights grew, they swore allegiance to one another in brotherhoods of the round table and other alliances and coalitions.

Under the weight of their responsibility, the apostles established protocol, rules, guidelines, and organized their ranks in order to enforce their newly-realized apostolic authority.  Their adversaries were quickly silenced or defeated.  The scribes brought forth many books and frequently gathered the villagers so that all of the citizens could be taught about the newest order of life in the kingdom.

All seemed well as the apostolic brotherhood flourished.

Until one day…