The Ministry Of The Apostles
August 21, 2005
Apostle Defined
The word APOSTLE is from the compoud Greek word apostolos. Apo means FROM and stello means send (W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). It means “one sent forth,” “a messenger,” or “a sent one.” An apostle was not just an ordinary messenger. If a king sent his apostle to some city, citizens would regard king's apostle as the very king himself.
Jesus, the Apostle
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus
The twelve were chosen by Jesus
Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.
The twelve apostles were a restricted group
Matthew 10:2-4 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Qualifications of the twelve
Acts 1:21-26 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us (in His earthly ministry), 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots (chosen by the Lord); and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
His unique witnesses
John 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you (the 12 apostles) from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
They were baptized with the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:2,5 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Inspired infallible witnesses
John 14:25-26 These things have I (Jesus) spoken unto you (the 12 apostles), being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you (the 12 apostles) all things, and bring all things to your remembrance (without error), whatsoever I (Jesus) have said unto you (the apostles, during His earthly ministry).
The spirit Revealed to them things to come
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you (the twelve) into all truth (without error -supernaturally): for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show [or reveal] you (the twelve) things to come.
Ephesians 3:4-5 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages [or generations] was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom (the OT prophets) it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us (at the end of this age) they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them (the apostles) that have preached the gospel (of the kingdom) unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
A powerful witness
Acts 1:8 But you (the 12 apostles) shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The Signs of an apostle
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Mark 16:20 And they (the apostles) went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signsfollowing. Amen.
Acts 2:43 “…many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”
Acts 5:12 And bythe hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.
Confirming the word WITH SIGNS
Mark 16:20 And they (the apostles) went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them (the twelve apostles) that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
The 12 apostles gave gifts by laying on of hands
Acts 6:6 Whom (Stephen and Philip) they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 8:5-7 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
A foundational witness
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 5:32 And we (the apostles, v.29) are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them (the apostles, v.29) that obey him.
Acts 13:30-31 But God raised him from the dead: 31 And he (Jesus) was seen many days of them (the apostles, 1:2-3) which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Acts 10:40-41 “God raised Him up on the third day, and granted that He should become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us (the apostles), who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
They laid foundation of the church
Ephesians 2:19-20 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God (NT church); 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
The apostles doctrine
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
the ministry of the word
Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
More apostles than “the twelve”?
1 Corinthians 15:4-8 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then ofthe twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
“All the apostles” may refer to the seventy
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Apostles in the church
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets (the churches foundation), thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers [or apostles] of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger [or apostle], and he that ministered to my wants.
James, the Lord’s brother was an apostle
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he (Jesus, after His resurrection) was seen of James…
Paul was an apostle by Jesus Christ
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Paul was the last APOSTLE
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Barnabus was an apostle
Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out.
The twelve apostles named him
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Barnabus was sent out by the twelve
Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem (the 12 apostles were in Jerusalem, 8:1): and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
He had the signs of an apostle
Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they (Paul and Barnabus) speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
remember the words of the apostles
Jude 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
TODAY THERE ARE ONLY FALSE APOSTLES
2 Corinthians 11:12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
The Twelve Apostles are give special honor
Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
ruling over Israel in the kingdom age
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.