by Kriston Couchey
Peter's Job Description
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven." (AMP) ~Jesus~
In the first recorded instance of Jesus giving Peter's his job description He is not talking to Peter about feeding sheep. Jesus makes clear to Peter the place of authority He was receiving. It was clear that Peter was given more then just the authority to be a leader of the church on earth; his authority was founded in the divine realm of heaven. As a doorkeeper in the kingdom of heaven; to everyone he was sent to he was charged with opening the door of the kingdom to those who were ready, and shutting it to those who were defiled and unrepentant. Peter exemplified this authority by telling a man trying to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit, "You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God." This authority to bind and loose, open and shut is an authority given to all of the church. It is the job of apostles to disciple or equip all of the body to function as doorkeepers in their own spheres or places of authority, be it a location, ministry, or gift.
Apostolic Shifting -Vision To Manifestation
We are beginning a shift in the way in which the apostolic gift functions. True apostles are receiving a fresh understanding of the keys of authority they are given for this hour, and the PURPOSE for this kingdom authority. The Apostolic gift is at the forefront of what God is doing. The keys given in this hour to apostles can affect MANY people both for evil and for good; depending upon what is allowed (loosed/opened) or disallowed (bound/shut) in their spheres of authority.
Many apostles and prophets have been receiving revelation of the kingdom of God kingdom of God
Testimony of Kingdom Manifestation
Father has been faithful to teach me in real life lessons what He has given me to share with the body. A little while back we invited our Christian friends from around the region to come to our house for a backyard barbecue. We ended up around a campfire and the Spirit of the Lord prompted me to speak about how ALL believers should be walking in divine authority and power; receiving and ministering the gifts and graces of God to each other. This is the reality of the kingdom as opposed to only one or a few leaders or pastors ministering gifts and grace to a congregation.
A bit later, a woman asked for prayer whose ex-husband had left her for another women. She was in pastoral ministry with him for years, and was devastated spiritually and emotionally. We had been ministering to her at our home meetings and I had prayed for her before, but there was still a great fear that paralyzed her. When she asked for prayer for the fear, a man began to share how God delivered him from fear. He shared how in a special meeting in a large auditorium the Lord told him to give a testimony. He was afraid. He said, "Lord, I don't have a testimony, but I will do it anyway." With great fear he got in line with the others giving their testimonies. When it was his turn He still had nothing, but He said to the people, "Today God...delivered me from the fear of man!"
I realized he was to pray for the woman. He had attained a place of authority over fear to pray for her. This man still struggled with chemical abuse issues and other great hindrances. But, in obedience I asked him to pray for her. I stood behind her and put my hands on her shoulders while he held her hands and prayed. Suddenly he screamed out and almost fell to the ground. The woman exclaimed that the peace of God had come to her and touched her, the fear was gone. The people stood up and began praising God! Later my friend sitting behind the man told of how a wind had blown past him and had struck the man in the back the same time he screamed and she was delivered. She was a different women after that.
The Lesson
In this experience I imparted the vision (planted the seed) of the kingdom; speaking forth Father's desire for ALL of the body to walk in kingdom authority, not just leaders. Then God demonstrated it as I obediently "opened the door" to the MANIFESTATION (harvest) of the very vision (seed) I had imparted. Imparting the vision of the kingdom is only a beginning which must eventually end in manifestation. True apostles will open the door with their "keys" for others to walk in their OWN places of authority. This is the fullness of apostolic ministry that is coming to the church. It is the breaking forth of the seed from the ground that was planted through impartation. Miracles in apostolic work will not just be a random happening, but will result from apostles exercising their "keys" of authority for others who are in the place of readiness to enter in and MANIFEST THE KINGDOM and walk in kingdom realities.
What did Paul mean when he said that the kingdom is not in words but in POWER? The kingdom comes in manifestation of power and not just the words giving vision and impartation. What you harvest indicates what seed was planted; be it kingdom or religion. God is sending his apostles with signs and wonders following. Following what? Following the revelation and vision imparted that is of the kingdom. In this hour Apostles will impart vision and the manifestation will coming swiftly as they open the door of the kingdom to those that are ripe and matured for harvest. The harvester will overtake the planter. The plant grown from the seed will now begin to bear fruit and manifest the kingdom. Those who labor in the field of harvest will rejoice.
In His Love
Kriston Couchey
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