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| THE ROLE OF THE LORD'S
APOSTLES |
#204
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Jesus had many “disciples,” but from this group He selected
twelve for a very special task. We read in Luke 6:12, “And it
was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and
He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He
called His disciples to Him; and chose twelve of them whom He
also named as apostles.” The word “Apostle” means “one who is
sent out.” In chapter 9, Luke records that Jesus “called the
twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the
demons, and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to
proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing” (Luke
9:1-2). As Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:18, He again
stressed the distinction of His apostles. He said, “As Thou
didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into
the world.” In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His apostles that they would
be His “witnesses ... to the remotest part of the earth.” Those
whom Jesus called “Apostles” were distinguished from everyone
else. The way He selected them, as well as the focus of their
mission, set the apostles apart from every other disciple.
The Lord’s Apostles were also granted a distinctive measure
of authority. In Luke 22:14 we find Jesus alone with His
“apostles.” In verses 28-30 He said, “And you are those who have
stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a
kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in
My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.” Again, in Matthew 16:19 Jesus said to Peter,
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever
you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever
you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” It seems
that Jesus allowed His apostles both judicial and legislative
authority in His kingdom. They were found both declaring
statutes and making judgments concerning them. In the Greek
text, the promise to Peter takes on more significance, for it
says, “and whatever you shall bind on earth has been bound
already in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth
has been loosed already in heaven.” As we study further, we
shall see that the teachings of the apostles set people free
from some traditions which previously had “bound them.” At the
same time, their teachings also “bound” upon people new
traditions which were peculiar to those “in Christ.” However, it
is obvious that the apostles did not merely fabricate these
traditions and teachings from their own imaginations; for the
things they taught had already been decreed by the Father in
heaven. They were simply conveying the things given to them by
God, through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).
After the death of Jesus, the inspired apostles directed
the early church. In Acts 1, it is the apostles to whom Jesus is
giving orders (vs 2); it is the apostles who witness His
ascension into heaven (vs 9); it is the apostles who are listed
by name in verse 13; who are “devoting themselves to prayer”;
and to whom Matthias was added to replace Judas (vs 26). In
chapter 2, it is the apostles who “were all together in one
place” (vs 1); who were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak with other tongues” (vs 4). It was the teaching of the
apostles to whom the earliest converts devoted their attention (vs
42). It was through the apostles that “many wonders and signs
were taking place” (vs 43). And on and on it goes throughout the
book of Acts. Read chapters 4, 5, 6, and 8 -- the apostles were
obviously in a leadership capacity. The people recognized that
God was with them because of the miracles they performed. The
people listened to their teaching, for it was the Word of
Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit. We too should recognize
their role in God’s plan. And, like those of long ago, we too
should continue to devote ourselves to the apostle’s teaching
(Acts 2:42); and to “hold to the traditions” they began for the
church (II Thessalonians 2:15). The Lord’s Apostles directed the
church in the ways of Christ, taught the church the Word of God,
and did so by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
| Bible
Probe |
THE ROLE OF THE
LORD'S APOSTLES |
204
|
1. What does the word “Apostle” mean?
2. How does Luke 9:1-2, John 17:18, and Acts 1:8 demonstrate why
Jesus called them this?
3. Jesus had many “disciples,” but Luke 6:12 reveals that He had
only _________ (how many) “apostles.”
4. Do you believe the Apostles of Christ were given authority to
reveal laws to and make judgments for the people of God? (Luke
22:14,28-30; Matthew 16:19)
5. From a deeper study of the Greek in Matthew 16:19, how did
the apostles know what laws and traditions were to be “bound” or
“loosed” for God’s people?
6. A casual reading of the first eight chapters of Acts reveals
that the early church looked to _________ (whom) as their
leaders and guides?
7. The people recognized that God was with them because of the
___________ they performed.
(Acts 2:43; II Corinthians 12:12)
8. The first century church devoted themselves to the apostles'
____________. (Acts 2:42)
9. Can you think of any reason why Christians today should not
also submit to the authority of the Lord's apostles?
10. What does II Thessalonians 2:15 mean to you?
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Your Bible questions answered here.