Apostolic Prophetic Parenting

By Robert Burgess

(This Message is an exerpt from a discussion on 'Spiritual Parenting' which took place on 'Great Eagle's Kingdom Discussion Board' in the Spring of 2001)

For several days now, the Lord has been speaking some things into my spirit concerning the subject of Spiritual Parenting; I have been listening, studying, and meditating upon many points which are pertinent to what is coming in the near future, and is even now at hand. With the help of the Lord, I hope to be able to share some of these things with clarity among my Brothers and Sisters here on the board. I invite your feedback on this saints, we all need to move ahead in the things of God, and it seems that this is one area that has suffered much neglect (And even sometimes, abuse) - It is like the fallow ground - uncultivated and unfruitful, but nevertheless holding a great potential to produce much fruit if tended to correctly

'I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. {15} For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. {16} Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. {17} For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church (1 Cor 4:14-17).

Fathers-3962. pater, pat-ayr'; appar. a prim. word; a 'father ' (lit. or fig., near or more remote):--father, parent
'Children, obey your parents in the Lord (i.e. 'In Christ'): for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:1-4).'
Parents-1118. goneus, gon-yooce'; from the base of G1096; a parent:--parent.
Spiritual Parenting is a subject that is not very well understood by most, it involves much more than just producing 'Children;' it includes bringing them up in ways which exemplify Christ to the Church, and to the world. Sadly, not every one who is a father is equipped with the proper set of parenting tools. We don't have to look very far into the Scriptures to find some very powerful and great men of God who had problems in their own families with their sons. Samuel the Prophet-Priest and David the King both raised up sons who turned out to be terrible reproaches upon their good names, and who later defiled the offices which they inherited from their Fathers.

For many years now the Churches have resembled something more akin to 'Spiritual Orphanages' than they have the Family (Household) of God. This is due in a large part to the fact that not too many 'Husband-Father' relationships have been established between the Ministry and the Bride of Christ. That is to say, that many have been birthed into the Kingdom of God as a result of relationships that were really out of 'Due Order,' and subsequently the children were left to fend for themselves, along with their Spiritual Mothers, when their 'Fathers' abandoned them for 'Higher Heights' and 'Greener Pastures' in the 'Ministry...' As I said beloved, it is one thing to be a Father, and something else to possess the skills necessary to really qualify as a true Spiritual 'Parent.' As a whole the Ministry has been much more like a Spiritual 'Boyfriend' to the Church than it has a 'Spiritual Husband (or, Husbandman).' Because of this the children, through no fault of their own, were born outside of the covenant of 'Marriage (To Merge, or become ONE)' and have been birthed into a state of Spiritual illegitimacy... I realize that this may appear to be a hard saying, or at least a somewhat foreign thought to many; but I appeal to the Christ in each one that you seek out exactly what kind of relationship the Apostle Paul must have had with the Corinthian Church and the Church in general in order for him to refer to himself as their Spiritual Father, or Parent, and to Timotheus and the Corinthians as his 'Beloved Son(s) (1Cor 4:17).'

As Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church;

'For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me (1 Cor 4:15-16)'
It is evident that Paul was appealing to the fact that he was qualified to be looked upon by the Corinthians as a Spiritual Father (a Parent in the Lord) on the grounds that he had 'Begotten' them through the Gospel.. When a child is brought into the natural world there is a solemn responsibility on the part of each of the Parents to see to it that the child is trained 'UP' in the way they should go etc.. Likewise there is a responsibility placed upon the child to endure discipline, training, and 'Sound Doctrine' at the hands of his 'Parents' in the Lord. There are however, no constraints placed upon the children to either obey or to follow the 'Ten Thousand Instructors' in Christ; but there is the requirement that the children must 'Honor' the ones who have begotten them through the Gospel, 'For this is Right (Eph 6:1).'

Before we get too far from the subject of the 'Ten Thousand Instructors,' let's consider the difference in the motives and actions of one who has everything at stake in the correct Spiritual upbringing of his Sons, versus the 'Ten Thousand Instructors' who have absolutely no stake or claim on anyone's life (Not being either valid Fathers, or Parents). As the father of five children and the grandfather of 17, with one great-grandchild, I can truthfully say that everything that ever hurt them hurt me as much or more. I still remember the pain I felt so strongly the night of my little daughter's first school play when she forgot her lines. I was embarrassed for her, and it still hurts to think about the public humiliation of my little girl, I loved her so.. No one else but a true parent could feel this kind of pain for their child, her siblings didn't feel it, in fact they thought is was rather funny, until I got them home.. Now notice Paul's words to his 'Beloved Sons' at Corinth:

'I write not these things to shame (or, humiliate) you, but as my beloved sons I warn you (1Cor 4:14).'
Beloved-27. agapetos, ag-ap-ay-tos'; from G25; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear

'And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).'
Nurture -3809. paideia, pahee-di'-ah; from G3811; tutorage; i.e. education or training; by impl. disciplinary correction:--chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.

Admonition-3559. nouthesia, noo-thes-ee'-ah; from G3563 and a der. of G5087; calling attention to, i.e. (by impl.) mild rebuke or warning:--admonition.

The issue of the Discipling of Sons by true Spiritual Fathers must be well understood in order for any good fruit to ever come out of our actions, no matter how well intended they may be… Should a father ever discipline his own son in public, bringing shame and reproach upon him in the presence of all, he runs the risk of not only angering his son, but discouraging him greatly from pursuing the right path that God has ordained for his feet. It will generally make him resentful and untrusting of the one who stands over him in this manner, and subjects him to public disgrace... I remember as a child a few times my father had to spank me, and as I think back upon those times now I recall that he always took me aside (Behind the garage, or woodshed usually) and administered a sound, but never a mean-spirited discipline to my backsides. It didn't occur to me then of course, but he was showing me his love and concern for me; first by introducing much needed corrective measures into my life, and also by not embarrassing me unnecessarily before the rest of the family. This is a strong indication of true 'Agape' love at work in the heart of a Spiritual Father...

The 'Instructor'

Whenever any kind of 'Discipline' like this is administered in public (by a non-spiritual father) it is generally with the aim of teaching the individual to fear the administrator of the discipline. He will naturally fear this ever happening again, to the point that either he will submit himself to the 'Instructor,' or run away and never come back. Of course the 'Instructor' here doesn't really care what happens. He has no real stake or caring for the individual per se, he is only out to bring other people under his control, regardless of the cost to the unsuspecting.

The Husband (Man)

'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:1-2).'

'The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits (2 Tim 2:6).'

The English word 'Husbandman' here, has a close association with the word 'Husband;' the thought is being of one who has the ability to 'Merge (to Marry - a Marriage)' or to 'Unite' one vine with another. We are called 'Wild Olives' in Ro 11:17, but we have been grafted in to the 'True Olive Tree' of Israel by the skillful work of the 'Chief Husbandman.' The wild fruit which we bore in the gentile world is not eliminated by this first graft into the tree of life, for we will still continue to bear the same old fruit until another graft is accomplished us. This is by our receiving with meekness the 'Engrafted Word, which is able to save our souls (See Jas 1:21).' Since it is necessary for the 'Husbandman' to be first partaker of the 'Fruit,' and since children desperately need 'Roll Models,' it follows that to accomplish his task a Father-Husbandman must walk before his sons in meekness, humility, and in kindness; Jesus said:

'Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Mat 11:29-30).'
Meek-4235. praios, prah'-os; a form of G4239, used in cert. parts; gentle, i.e. humble:--meek

In the world, and within the carnal elements of Christianity, meekness has always been looked upon as 'Weakness,' but not so in the Kingdom of God. If we are to correctly manifest Christ to the world we must be willing to take up His yoke (The Cross) daily, which makes us ONE with him in all things. A 'Yoke' is an instrument that brings two creatures together and makes them 'One' in a sense (Like the Marriage, or the graft); but what kind of yoke are we talking about? We were born as humans under the 'Yoke of Bondage' to the transgressing nature of Adam; We were found to be 'One' with him in everything he ever did contrary to God's will.. We were therefore as guilty of sin as the man Adam himself. But when the Holy Spirit was introduced into our lives it was not just to make us feel good, it was given to us to 'Destroy the Yoke' which kept us bound to our old fleshly, Adamic ways, and to make us uniquely and equally 'One' with Christ Himself (See Isa 10:27).. In 2Cor 6:14 we read:
'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Cor 6:14-16).'

God is telling us here that He desires to not only 'Dwell' but to 'Walk' in us. But it is an Abomination to 'Plow with an Ox (or, Clean beast) and an Ass (an Unclean beast) together (Dt 22:10).' The 'Walk,' or gait, of an Ox is totally different than that of the Ass, therefore while one is stepping to the right, the other is stepping to the left; They are totally out of 'Sync' with one another.. So it is with Flesh and Spirit.. God desires to 'Walk' in us, but He cannot if we insist on keeping the 'Yoke' of the unbelieving carnal mind and the Adamic nature in the drivers seat, even while we attempt to 'Serve' Christ. Like the condition of the woman with two 'Husbands,' this state of 'Mixture' is both Adultery and Abomination unto the Lord.

When God truly walks unhindered in an individual there cannot help but to be strong evidence of His doing so. There will be manifest outward signs (Called Fruit) by which the individual will be 'Known' by those who he comes in contact with. The individual who removes himself (his Old Man) from the 'Drivers Seat' will 'Disappear' as it were, and Christ will be manifested openly. This kind of open manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Church and to the World, has always had a profound effect on everyone, in every age.. Paul said:

'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor 3:18).'

Simply 'Hearing' does not change people; although this is a necessary step in the process of our salvation. Neither are they changed by our efforts to manhandle or manipulate them into submission to our will.. It is the 'Seeing,' or 'Beholding (i.e. the Revealing)' of Christ that really changes people.. As I said, a Father must walk before his children in an upright and Godly manner at all times in order to be effective in causing them to desire what 'Father' has to offer.

'Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain (James 5:7).'

Like meekness, Patience is often misinterpreted by the carnal elements as 'Passivity' or downright 'Neglect,' when it comes to the tending of the Vineyard of the Lord; but we are admonished to wait for the early and latter rain which are necessary elements in bringing any kind of fruit unto perfection.. We are only stirring up a hornet's nest when we attempt to deal with certain problems in people's lives if we are operating out of 'Due Time (season)' and therefore, out of 'Due Order.' Solomon said:

'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: {2} A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; {3} A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; {4} A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; {5} A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; {6} A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; {7} A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; {8} A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace (Eccl 3:1-8).'

'A word fitly spoken (or, Word of Wisdom) is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear (Prov 25:11-12).'

Jas 5:7 shows us that there is obviously a 'Husbandman' in the picture somewhere who understands much more than the average man on the street about working with the Sons of God. Both Patience and Wisdom are virtues that the Spiritual Father must possess over and above all the 'Ten Thousand Instructors' if he is to get the job done of raising up Spiritual Sons and bringing them into true Spiritual perfection.

'The LORD by wisdom hath founded (or, laid the Foundation of) the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. {20} By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. {21} My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: {22} So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. {23} Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. {24} When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet (Prov 3:19-24).'

Here the 'Wise Man' Solomon (A type of Christ) admonishes his 'Son' to 'Keep sound (or, Sane) Wisdom and Discretion;' These are the 'Foundational Things' upon which the 'Earth' is founded.. Paul refers to himself as a 'Wise Master Builder' in the following passage; notice how closely that 'Foundations' and 'Wisdom' go together:
'According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3:10-11).'

It has been said that the latter day Apostles and Prophets are commissioned to re-expose and re-define the 'Foundations' of their Early Church counterparts. While I believe this to be true, this idea must also be carefully and wisely defined, and handled properly in order for us to build upon 'Jesus Christ,' and not upon man. Paul was both a 'Father' and a roll model of Christ to the Churches. As I have said before, Watchman Nee was a twentieth century Apostle - a modern-day counterpart of the Apostle Paul... As such, his life, both in Word and in Deed, had to be an example (a Pattern) to the Church and the World of true 'Foundational Christianity...' When people build upon these kinds of examples of Godly living and Character, they are not building upon Paul, or Watchman, but they are building upon the same Spirit of Christ that 'Dwelt' so richly in them, and which flowed unrestricted through their beings. These kinds of men were true 'Apostolic Fathers' to the Church. Now there are also fine points of Doctrine that must be revealed and updated in our minds before we can each perfectly harmonize with Christ in the Body; but this can and will be accomplished very quickly as we submit ourselves willingly to the Spirit of Christ. Further yet, before the Lord will openly reveal more of the fine and critical points of Apostolic Doctrine to some, they must first become willing to obey the Word they have already received, and are presently being held accountable for.
'But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

Paul said; 'Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon..' Here, we builders are warned to 'Be Careful!!' What are we attempting to 'Build' when we bring the Word of the Lord to his Sons?? Are we building upon and establishing the Foundation of Christ, or another? It is so easy for us to sit back and criticize the Nominal Church for their 'Making Disciples' after themselves; but there are many, even in the Kingdom who have set about to do the same thing without even realizing it...

The bottom line is this:

We must come to know and to distinctly recognize the voice of our Father, even as Jesus said:
'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27):'
Robert Burgess

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