Apostleship He named twelve twelve

Transcription

1 Apostleship The first mention of the word is in Matt. 10:2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. Consider also, 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. It should be noted that there are but twelve apostles. An apostle is one that has been ordained and sent by Jesus. He ordained twelve. According to scripture, Jesus is the one that ordained the Apostles. Others cannot ordain apostles. The reason He ordained twelve is because twelve is the number of Heavenly Government and answers to the Old Testament twelve sons of Israel, later the twelve tribes of Israel. God has ordained that Jesus the Apostle (Heb. 3:1 the Apostle and High Priest of our profession) should ordain the New Testament Government. This He did when He ordained His twelve Apostles. As you will be aware, Judas betrayed Jesus and forfeited his apostleship. Peter, who thought he had the right to ordain (mistakenly) an apostle in Judas stead, suggested they should draw lots to replace Judas apostleship; and as you will know the lot fell on Mattias. We must forgive Peter for this presumption as this was before the Holy Spirit had fallen on them. However, Peter did so because he understood the principle (due to spending 3.5 years with Jesus) that there should be twelve apostles; not eleven and certainly not thirteen. However, it is later in Acts that we see the hand of the Lord upon the life of Saul of Tarsus (later the Apostle Paul). Listen to what Paul has to say about his apostleship Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ (Titus 1). He is able to make this statement because Jesus Christ appeared to him and ordained him as such. Mattias was not the twelfth Apostle, Paul was, for he was ordained by Jesus Himself, whereas Mattias was not. Jesus ordination of Paul into the Apostleship completed the Spiritual Government of the New Covenant, and thus extending His Government unto the Gentiles. You will note from Rev. 4:4 that there are 24 seats around God s throne. These represent the Government of God and are the seats of government for the 24 elders God has ordained, twelve under the Old and twelve under the New Covenant. Remember Jesus promising the Sons of Thunder that they would indeed sit with Him in His kingdom? Elders represent God s government, which is why women are forbidden in scripture to govern in His Church. Whilst we have many elders

2 governing in the Lord s Church here on earth, in the Heavenlies there are but twenty-four, 2x12. We can only understand what an apostle is when we understand what their office is (under God). An apostle then, according to scripture, is someone that Jesus Christ has personally ordained to govern under His own Apostleship (Heb 3:1). Because it is God that ordains apostles and not man (obviously we understand here that Jesus is God) and that under the Old Covenant He ordained twelve and under the New Covenant He ordained twelve, what need has He of others? To understand this we must first understand that twelve is God s number of Government and that God s economy is perfect. As regarding present day Apostles, God does not recognize any and neither should we. We have two Apostles, why do we need more? We have Christ Jesus (Heb. 3:1) and Paul (Rom. 11:13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, If we listen to what Jesus and Paul have to say, then we would see that all the teaching we require is provided by them and the other New Testament Apostles. Obviously this subject extends far beyond anything that can be stated here. However, a few other examples will show the purpose and place of Apostleship and why God under the New Covenant ordained twelve. Consider such verses as Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, and Revelation 21:14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Notice that there are only twelve apostles of the Lamb. So who do these modern day apostles belong to? This should be evidence enough for any genuine seeker after truth, and to enquire further upon this matter would be superfluous. Nevertheless, we could also consider these verses; 2 Peter 3:2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, and Jude 1:17. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter here refers to the apostles as us, thereby confining apostleship to the twelve, to those he personally knew and to those of his own time and generation. Jude refers to the apostles in the past tense, spoken before by the apostles. What must also be observed regarding the Apostles is that they are referred to in Scripture as the apostles, the definite article signifying

3 that there is but one group of people designated Apostles; not some fraternity that could be added too at a later date (bearing in mind the exception and necessity of the Apostle Paul). If this was not so then the Spirit of God would not have ordained it to be used in scripture. This description is never use of prophets, teachers or evangelists. For example, we never hear Scripture referring to them as The Prophets, The Teachers, The Evangelists. The definite article is reserved for the Apostles. May I encourage you to undertake a study of Apostleship using only the Scriptures the Bible is its own interpreter. I also believe that scriptures such as the following are very poignant, and ought to be considered very seriously. 2 Corinthians 11:13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. To aid you in your study, below is a comprehensive list of all the references to apostle apostles and apostleship in the New Testament. Apostle (Singular) Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 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 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

4 2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 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;) Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Apostles (Plural)

5 Matthew 10:2 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; Mark 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 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; Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Luke 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

6 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 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 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, Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet. Acts 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles feet. Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon s porch. Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

7 Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. Acts 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

8 Acts 15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

9 Galatians 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord s brother. Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 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: Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Apostleship Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

10 Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 1 Corinthians 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) Copyright 2003 Christian Ministries