From Apostolic to The Ancient of Days By Dr. Tim and Theresa Early
In this moment of present truth restoration, there lies the significant importance of proper recognition of what the Person and Presence of the Lord is restoring. For in many instances, people would hear the cry of the Spirit for
Restoration in Acts 3:21, but would not necessarily recognize the delicately emerging process of that which the Father is restoring unto his people... {Please check out all three "R" words in Acts 3:19, 21, Repentance,
Refreshing, and Restoration}. Unfortunately, in some circles of influence, we too often view the work of the ministry through our own insignificance, insecurity, and low self esteem, finding
worth and value in being called present truth apostolic and prophetic, when in all honesty we are riding on the bandwagon by associating ourselves with this fresh outpour, without the genuine characterization and fruit that the
true apostolic and prophetic dimension is producing. Further on, while traveling the nation {s} I would notice among some a sudden interest in being defined through the apostolic and prophetic, finding it rather difficult to
believe that there is life in Christ {Christ the Head and Christ the Body} beyond the dimensions of the apostolic and prophetic. We trust that this time of sharing has
been a strategic blessing to you, as we are preparing now for new apostolic, prophetic, kingdom, and destiny centers throughout greater Houston, the nation, and the world. We are positioned for possession in our progression, and we
are feeding the seed and nurturing HIS nature. The time to favor you has come, and remember, you are highly flavored {favored} of the Lord. You are an instrument of His present technology in the earth, a king-priest ministry after
the order of Melchisedec. It is of utmost urgency that we walk in the present dimension of the Spirit and His Now and proceeding word. It is of far most importance to become a rhythm of the Spirit and a change agent in bringing
revolutionary and radical change to our world. Why? We are not here to fit, but to change our world through Dominion {Genesis 1:26, 28}. Apostolic blessings to all, as we prepare to saturate greater Houston in the eternal purpose
of God, and the destiny dimension of the saints in the earth. It is Houston's time to move into the greater glory of the kairos crossover, to vanquish beyond and to take new territory in the Spirit and the natural. May we assemble
and mobilize for apostolic globalization, and to walk in the momentum of the Spirit for bringing Houston into the forefront of its destiny. Houston, we have a solution! 100 years ago today William J. Seymour came to Houston
and was moved by the Spirit of the Lord for a new and glorious day in the church and the nations. Unlike some of his predecessors William Seymour had not only a passion to see countless many filled with the Holy Spirit but was
infused with a present revelation to see racial reconciliation among the saints as well. His written book which most people don't know about entitled "The Doctrines and Disciplines of the Azusa Street Apostolic Faith Mission of Los
Angeles, California in 1915" further detailing his core values and convictions as a man of God for setting the established assemblies in order. He had a heart and passion for global reformation not alone mere revival. It is evident
that the Apostolic Faith Mission that he had overseen, along with his publication to over 50,000 people worldwide, and the presence of God upon his work which spearheaded one of the most glorious dimensions in the earth today was
indicative of the significant truth that his calling was that of an apostle. Seymour, who was born in Centerville Louisiana to the parents of freed slaves, was also born in much poverty amid the reconstructed south. Racism was
the monster giant of his time and after some upbringing he moved to the Midwest to further his call of God. Later he came to Houston for a present move of God, and later went to Los Angeles to shepherd an assembly there. What had
taken place in Azusa that had changed the world was destined to have been released over Houston in 1906. Next year 2006 marks the anniversary of the move of God from Azusa to the nations, but it actually began in seed form in 1905
or 100 years ago as William received revelation from God and quickened in Spirit from the school of ministry in HOUSTON, TX founded by Charles Parham of Topeka, Kansas. Later after the Azusa outpouring Charles Parham, who was later
revealed to have supported the KKK foundation, became sick to his stomach upon knowledge that William J. Seymour was conducting meetings composed of blacks and whites {The real motive in part was that he himself was not credited
supposedly to the outpour among William Seymour and that his ties with racist groups only spawned more racist beliefs}. He and some other notables opposed the idea of blacks, whites joining together to worship God. Parham was one
of the main reasons why there was a split in the Azusa Street Mission. Though Seymour was alleged by some critics as being racist for having predominately black presence in leadership, that only proved to be the nagging quarell and
biased slant of the racial bigotry that had enormously surmounted due to the presence of a black leader in leadership of a cultural diverse group, via, Azusa Street Mission. It is in our estimation that there is come a corporate
cleansing from racism on either end in the church. My friend Apostle Jeff Edwards of Kansas City, and founder of JEMI treats this subject with clarity and expertise. We ministered together in Las Vegas some time ago, and he has a
sure word to revolutionize the African American community into coming into their purpose and destiny, and to enjoy their uniqueness in quality representation in advancing the kingdom in powerful demonstrations of the Spirit.
According to 2 Peter 1:5-7 Peter the apostle encourages us to walk in the 7-fold dimension of maturity, but the key action verse was found in verses 8-9. Peter says that if these things BE {Being} in us and ABOUND {Abundant Life},
we will not be barren {idle} nor unfruitful in the revelatory and intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But if we lack these things we are blind {no vision and direction} and cannot SEE MORE {Hosea 6:2} or afar off {The New
Day}, and has forgotten who and whose we are in the Messiah. Meaning, what does it really mean to be prophetic and apostolic when we are not being and abounding in the "Add to your Faith" 1 - Virtue - {moral excellence},
2 - knowledge {intimate revelatory}, 3 - temperance {self-control}, 4 - patience {endurance}, 5 - godliness {holiness}, 6 - brotherly kindness {Philadelphia - love of the brethren}, and 7 - Charity {1 Corinthians 13}. Without these
we then need to return to base zero. Without these in BEING and in ABOUNDING we may not fully embrace the full stature of Christ. Nevertheless a greater day is upon Houston as we have moved from visitation to habitation. As
William Seymour lead the Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa Street, so shall Houston become a major epicenter and strategic launching of the apostolic and prophetic dimension NOW. Seymour now gives way for the global church of
Houston and the world to SEE MORE as Hosea 6:2 say "On the Third Day we shall LIVE in HIS Sight or FORESIGHT or INSIGHT. Houston shall become a household name as nations from all over the earth shall come and marvelously receive
and be released into the boldness, brightness, and beauty of a brand new day. Houston shall be a major portal for the apostolic launching of mentalities to shift from church to kingdom and shall take on a global mentality to change
our world through dominion. So let us move forwardly in prayer, praise, and the prophetic dimension be intermingled with apostolic proclamations and decrees as Houston NOW shines forth among this region as a Third Day City, a
Prophetic Community, and an Apostolic Centre. Let us rejoice Houston, for the time to favor you has come. Strategies are already underway to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Be open for upcoming meetings and assemblages
and get ready for the ride of your LIFE. Love to all, and we R HEAR 4 U! ......................................................................................................................... Below, a quote from one of the
recipients in the Azusa Street outpour...An historical update making way for the Greater Day By Holiness Evangelist Frank Bartleman Friday, June 15, at "Azusa," the Spirit dropped the "heavenly chorus" into my soul. I found
myself suddenly joining the rest who had received this supernatural "gift." It was a spontaneous manifestation and rapture no earthly tongue can describe. In the beginning this manifestation was wonderfully pure and powerful. We
feared to try to reproduce it, as with the "tongues" also. Now many seemingly have no hesitation in imitating all the "gifts." No one could understand this "gift of song" but those who had it. It was indeed a "new song" in the
Spirit. When I first heard it in the meeting a great hunger entered my soul to receive it. I felt it would exactly express my pent up feelings. I had not yet spoken in "tongues." But the "new song" captured me. It was a gift from
God of high order, and appeared among us soon after the "Azusa" work began. No one had preached it. The Lord had sovereignly bestowed it, with the outpouring of the "residue of oil," the "Latter Rain" baptism of the Spirit. It was
exercised, as the Spirit moved the possessors, either in solo fashion, or by the company. It was sometimes without words, other times in "tongues." The effect was wonderful on the people. It brought a heavenly atmosphere, as though
the angels themselves were present and joining with us. And possibly they were. It seemed to still criticism and opposition, and was hard for even wicked men to gainsay or ridicule. Some have condemned this "new song," without
words. But was not sound given before language? And is there not intelligence without language also? Who composed the first song? Must we necessarily follow some man's composition, before us, always? We are too much worshippers of
tradition. The speaking in "tongues" is not according to man's wisdom or understanding. Then why not a "gift of song?" It is certainly a rebuke to the "jazzy" religious songs of our day. And possibly it was given for that purpose.
Yet some of the old hymns are very good to sing, also. We need not desire or treat lightly of them. Some one has said that every fresh revival brings in its own hymnology. And this one surely did. In the beginning in "Azusa" we
had no musical instruments. In fact we felt no need of them. There was no place for them in our worship. All was spontaneous. We did not even sing from hymnbooks. All the old well-known hymns were sung from memory, quickened by the
Spirit of God. "The Comforter Has Come," was possibly the one must sung. We sang it from fresh, powerful heart experience. Oh, how the power of God filled and thrilled us. Then the "blood" songs were very popular. "The life is in
the blood. "Sinai, Calvary, and Pentecost, all had their rightful place in the "Azusa" work. But the "new song" was altogether different, not of human composition. It cannot be successfully counterfeited. The crow cannot imitate
the dove. But they finally began to despise this "gift," when the human spirit asserted itself again. They drove it out by hymnbooks, and selected songs by leaders. It was like murdering the Spirit, and most painful to some of us,
but the tide was too strong against us. Hymnbooks today are largely a commercial proposition, and we would not lose much without most of them. The old tunes, even, are violated by change, and new styles must be gotten out of every
season, for added profit. There is very little real spirit of worship in them. They move the toes, but not the hearts of men. The spirit of song given from God in the beginning was like the Aeolian harp, in its spontaneity and
sweetness. In fact it was the very breath of God, playing on human heartstrings, or human vocal cords. The notes were wonderful in sweetness, volume and duration. In fact they were of times humanly impossible. It was "singing in
the Spirit." Brother Seymour was recognized as the nominal leader in charge. But we had no pope or hierarchy. We were "brethren." We had no human program. The Lord Himself was leading. We had no priest class, nor priest craft.
These things have come in later, with the apostatizing of the movement. We did not even have a platform or pulpit in the beginning. All were on a level. The ministers were servants, according to the true meaning of the word. We did
not honor men for their advantage, in means or education, but rather for their God-given "gifts" He set the members in the "body." Now" A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof." –Jer. 5:30, 31. Also "AS for my people, children are their oppressors (sometimes grown up ones), and women rule over
them." Brother Seymour generally sat behind two empty shoeboxes, one on top of the other. He usually kept his head inside the top one during the meeting, in prayer. There was no pride there. The services ran
almost continuously. Seeking souls could be found under the power almost any hour, night and day. The place was never closed nor empty. The people came to meet God. He was always there. Hence a continuous meeting. The meeting did
not depend on the human leader. God's presences become more and more wonderful. In that old building, with its low rafters and bare floors, God took strong men and women to pieces, and put them together again, for His glory. It was
a tremendous overhauling process. Pride and self-assertion, self-importance and self-esteem, could not survive there. The religious ego preaches its own funeral sermon quickly. No subjects or sermons were announced ahead of
time, and no special speakers for such an hour. No one knew what might be coming, What God would do. All was spontaneous, ordered of the Spirit. We wanted to hear from God, through whoever he might speak. We had no "respect of
persons" The rich and educated were the dame as the poor and ignorant, and found a much harder death to die. We only recognized God. All were equal. No flesh might glory in His presence. He could not use the self-only recognized
opinionated. Those were Holy Ghost meetings, led of the Lord. It had to start in the poor surroundings, God. All were equal. No flesh might glory in His presence. He could not use the self- to keep out the selfish, human element.
All came down in humility together, at His feet. They all looked alike, and had all things in common in that sense at least. The rafters were low, the tall must come down. By the time they got to "Azusa" they were humbled, ready
for the blessing. The food was thus placed for the lambs, not for giraffes. All could reach it. We were delivered right there from ecclesiastical hierarchism and abuse. We wanted God. When we first reached the meeting we avoided
as much as possible human contact and greeting. We wanted to meet God first. We got our head under some bench in the corner in prayer, and met men only in the Spirit, knowing them "after the flesh" no more. The meetings started
themselves, spontaneously, in testimony, praise and worship. The testimonies were never hurried by a call for "popcorn." We had no prearranged programmed to be jammed through the time. Our time was the Lord's. We had real
testimonies from fresh heart-experience. Otherwise, the shorter the testimonies, the better. A dozen might be on their feet at one time, trembling under the mighty power of god. We did not have to get our cur from some leader. And
we were free from lawlessness. We were shut up to God in prayer in the meetings, our minds on Him. All obeyed God, in meekness and humility. In honor we "preferred one another." The Lord was liable to burst through any one. We
prayed for this continually. Some one would finally get up anointed for the message. All seemed to recognize this and gave way. It might be a child, a woman, or a man. It might be from the back seat, or from the front. It made no
difference. We rejoiced that God was working. No one wished to show himself. We thought only of obeying God. In fact there was an atmosphere of God there that forbade any one but a fool attempting to put himself forward without
the real anointing. And such did not last long. The Spirit, from the throne controlled the meetings. Those were truly wonderful days. I often said that I would rather live six months at that time than fifty years of ordinary life.
But God is just the same today. Only we have changed. Some one might be speaking. Suddenly the Spirit would fall upon the congregation. God himself would give the altar call. Men would fall all over the house, like the slain in
battle, or rush for the altar enmasse, to seek God. The scene often resembled a forest of fallen trees. Such a scene cannot be imitated. I never saw an altar call given in those early days. God himself would call them. And the
preacher knew when to quit. When He spoke we all obeyed. It seemed a fearful thing to hinder or grieve the Spirit. The whole place was steeped in prayer, God was in His holy temple. It was for man to keep silent. The shekinah glory
rested there. In fact some claim to have seen the glory by night over the building. I do not doubt it. I have stopped more than once within two blocks of the place and prayed for strength before I dared to go on. The presence of
the Lord was so real. Presumptuous men would sometimes come among us. Especially preachers who would try to spread themselves, in self-opinionating. But their effort was short lived. The breath would be taken from them. Their
minds would wander, their brains reel. Things would turn black before their eyes. They could not go on. I never saw one get by with it in those days. They were up against God. No one cut them off. We simply prayed. The Holy Spirit
did the rest. We wanted the Spirit to control. He wound them up in short order. They were carried out dead, spiritually speaking. They generally bit the dust in humility, going through the process we had all gone through. In other
words they died out, came to see themselves in all their weakness, then in childlike humility and confession were taken up of God, transformed through the mighty "baptism" in the Spirit. The "old man" died with all his pride,
arrogancy and good works. In my own case I came to abhor myself. I begged the Lord to drop a curtain so close behind me on my past that it would hit my heels. He told me to forget every good deed as though it had never occurred, as
soon as it was accomplished anything for Him, lest my good works become a snare to me. We saw some wonderful things in those days. Even very good men came to abhor themselves in the clearer light of God. The preachers died the
hardest. But when God got through with them they gladly turned a new page and chapter. That was one reason they fought so hard. Death is not at all a pleasant experience. And strong men die hard. The testimony of Frank Bartleman
is excepted from his book, "How Pentecost Came to Los Angeles." Christian Life Books plans to republish the original book, unedited and with the original title.
FAP International {Ephesians 2:20} also F.A.P. Fathering Appointed People.
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