What is apostolic Christian teaching?

One of the burdens of The Ezra Project and the reason I launched it from the beginning was to have a platform from which to promulgate apostolic teaching among the churches. It was inspired by the statement made in the book of Ezra regarding Ezra's role as a scribe of the Lord: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). This statement summarizes both Ezra's personal relationship to God's Word written as well as his appointment to teach God's statutes in Israel.

What exactly is meant by 'apostolic' teaching? It is not teaching about apostles or teaching on the same level authoritatively as that written in Scripture. Rather, it is teaching rooted in Scripture which has as its goal to reveal Jesus Christ-both his glorious Person and work. It is insight into all that is meant by Paul's reference to Jesus Christ as the foundation for all that God is building (I Cor. 3:10-11). Apostolic teaching is teaching that demonstrates the relationship between the Word (Christ) and the Word (Scripture).

Much teaching in the Church today, while biblically accurate, does not sufficiently focus on revealing the person of Christ. Accuracy in handling Scripture is essential, but we also must remain faithful to the spirit of the Word. The apostles who wrote the New Testament were men who personally knew Jesus Christ and were passionate about revealing Him to others. In reading their writings, it is critical that we view their writings as those words by which the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed.

My burden in all the teaching we offer in The Ezra Project is that people would come alive to Jesus Christ through the written Word. I have tried in every series and message offered to balance sound exegesis (letting Scripture speak out) with the apostolic spirit with which Scripture was written. To the end that I have accomplished that the glory belongs to God who called me into the ministry and has allowed me to handle this glorious Gospel for over thirty years. "To Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (I Corinthians 3:21).