Life Walk Lesson 77 — An Apostle in the Kingdom of God
An Apostle in the Kingdom of God
Definitions:
Strongs Concordance: “a delegate; specifically, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially, a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) with miraculous powers; apostle; messenger; he that is sent”
Funk and Wagnall’s Dictionary:
1. “One of the twelve disciples originally commissioned by Christ to preach the Gospel (Matthew 10:2-4)
2. One of a class of missionaries in the early Church (1Corinthians 12:28)
3. A Christian missionary who first evangelizes a nation or place
4. The earliest or foremost advocate of a cause.
Greek: Messenger”
Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary: “Sent one, messenger; one commissioned or sent by God or by the Church with a particular purpose — by Christ”
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: “a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “one sent forth,” and envoy, missionary
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words:
- Strong’s # G652: Apostle, Apostleship:
“is, lit., "one sent forth" (apo, "from," stello, "to send"). "The word is used of the Lord Jesus to describe His relation to God, Hebrews 3:1; see Jhn 17:3. The twelve disciples chosen by the Lord for special training were so called, Luk 6:13; 9:10. Paul, though he had seen the Lord Jesus, 1Cr 9:1; 15:8, had not 'companied with' the Twelve 'all the time' of His earthly ministry, and hence was not eligible for a place among them, according to Peter's description of the necessary qualifications, Act 1:22. Paul was commissioned directly, by the Lord Himself, after His Ascension, to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles.
"The word has also a wider reference. In Act 14:4, 14, it is used of Barnabas as well as of Paul; in Rom 16:7 of Andronicus and Junias.
In 2Cr 8:23 (RV, margin) two unnamed brethren are called 'apostles of the churches;' in Phl 2:25 (RV, margin) Epaphroditus is referred to as 'your apostle.' It is used in 1Th 2:6 of Paul, Silas and Timothy, to define their relation to Christ." *
[* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 59-60.]
2. Strong’s # G651: Apostle, Apostleship:
"a sending, a mission," signifies an apostleship, Act 1:25; Rom 1:5; 1Cr 9:2; Gal 2:8.
Note: Pseudapostoloi, "false apostles," occurs in 2Cr 11:13."
KEY: Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our faith (Hebrews 3:1) set us an example as “One sent by God” with the Spirit without limit (John 3:34). Because God anointed Him, (Acts 10:38) with the Holy Spirit and power, He “went about doing good, and healing all…because God was with Him.”
Paul was an Apostle “by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1) even as “the Twelve” were designated Apostles (Mark 3:13-14) “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
Paul discusses the rights of an Apostle in 1Corinthians 9, and Paul chose not to assume those rights for himself, but “to become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
In 1Thessalonians 2, Paul defends his actions as an Apostle so that we might follow the example of good apostleship:
Characteristics of Good Apostleship: 1Thessalonians 2:6-13
- Gentleness — as a mother cares for her children (V. 11, and a father)
- Sharing the Gospel, and one’s life, with those one is sent to
- Work, so as not to be a burden to the Church or the mission field
- Must be righteous, holy, and blameless, in one’s mission field
- Be a father to those in one’s mission field, encouraging, comforting, urging them to live lives worthy of God
- Signs, wonders, and miracles accompany an Apostle, and are the mark of his/her ministry (Romans 16:7; Matthew 10:7-8; Mark 16:15-18; 2 Corinthians 12:12)
- Reward for this ministry is that the people one is sent to will accept one’s word as the Word of God
At least two Bible Dictionaries assert that the “office of Apostle ceased” after the original 13 designated by Jesus Himself, simply because the term at the time referred only to those appointed by Jesus Himself, who, having walked with Him in His earthly ministry, saw Him in person before His ascension, or as in the case of Paul, saw, and was instructed by Him personally, after His ascension.
Cross References: Galatians 1:15-18; [interesting insight in light of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles: Isaiah 21:13-14; and Galatians 4:25]
We do, however, have evidence in the writings of the New Testament of others who were sent out to preach the Gospel after having been prayed for, and commissioned as ministers of the Gospel, including women.
Romans 16:7
“Greet Andronicus and Junias [or: Junia (feminine)], my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”
The Didache
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
“Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.”
The Book of the Cave of Treasures, by St. Ephraim Syrus, 4th Century A.D. (C.E.)
[The Apostles]
The Twelve, The 70, and others appointed after the Ascension of Jesus
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/bct/bct11.htm
Let’s look at the original commission:
Matthew 10:7-8
7 “As you go, preach [or: proclaim], saying, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.’”
Matthew 28:16-20
16 “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Mark 16:15-18
15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.
16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’”
Mark 16:20
“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by signs that followed…” [2Corinthians 13:1]
Note: Because we are “in the vine”, In Christ [according to John 15], we are all sent as ambassadors for Christ, to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, which is “at hand”, just as John the Baptist and Jesus did, because we are “in His name” and His name is in us. According to the examples, it is clear that baptism imparts that which the baptizer has in them. This is why an Apostle must be righteous, holy, and blameless.
We can see from Mark 16:17, that with the fulfillment of the commission comes protection from that which would ordinarily be dangerous or harmful, as we see happened to the Apostle Paul on the Island of Malta. [Acts 28:1-10]
We have precedence of this recorded in Psalm 90-91, where, under the Law of Moses (Psalm 90) there was punishment for disobedience (Hebrews 2:2-4), but under the Law of Jesus Christ (Psalm 91; and 1Corinthians 9:21), there was forgiveness, and protection by His name — protection from physical danger to one’s person, during war, or one’s body during pestilence, etc. [Exodus 23:21; John 17:11-12; 1 Peter 1:3-9]
So we see, then, that on the Island of Malta, Paul was not hurt by the viper, and the man was healed of dysentery, by the Grace of God.
Luke 9:1-2
1 “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.”
[NIV: 1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
2Corinthians 12:12
“The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders, and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance.”
Regarding signs and wonders in Scripture: Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 4:34; and Nehemiah 9:10; by contrast, Isaiah 8:18 and Acts 2:19; Mark 16:20; Acts 5:12; 6:8, and Romans 15:19
See also: Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 7:15; Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 10:1, 7-8; 14:14; 25:36; Acts 10:38; James 5:14-16
Christ, our Example
Hebrews 3:1
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we confess.”
John 3:34
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”
Acts 10:36-38
36 “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) — 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God appointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
The peace referred to here is the peace once again between former enemies — Jew and Gentile, those “near” to God and those “far” from God.
From the Book of Genesis we learn that there was animosity between the sons of Abraham, and the sons of Isaac. From the Ancient Book of Jasher, the greater animosity was between Esau and Jacob, and lasted for many generations. Herod, in fact, was a descendant of Esau, and so we find the animosity continued right up to the birth of Christ.
The first mention of the term “Gentile” is found in the Book of Genesis 10:1-5 (KJV); NASB translates “gentiles” as “nations”]
Cross references: Matthew 3-7 Jesus begins His earthly ministry, preaching the Kingdom of God, with signs and wonders to back up what is spoken: casting out demons, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, bringing them joy and freedom from the evil one; teaching everyone the ways of His Father, in the Kingdom of God, present both in Christ, and in every baptized believer in God. [Isaiah 61]
Mark 3:13-15
13 “And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons.” [John 15]
Mark 6:6-13
7 "And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.” [Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:11; 9:3; Jesus’ example: John 19:23 “the tunic” (insight: only one “mantle”)]
Mark 6:30
“The Apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.”
[NIV Note: “The Apostles were Jesus’ authorized agents or representatives (see note on Hebrews 3:1) In the New Testament the word is sometimes used quite generally (see John 13:16 where the Greek word “apostolos” is translated “messenger”). In a technical sense it is used: 1. Of the Twelve (Mark 3:14), in which sense it is also applied to Paul (Romans 1:1) and, 2. of a larger group including Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James, the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19) and possibly Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7)]”
1Corinthians 9:1
“Am I not free? Am I not an Apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”
[NIV: “Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?”]
1Corinthians 9:19-23
19 “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”
1Corinthians 15:3-8
3 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
Romans 1:1 NIV
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God…”
Romans 1:1 NASB
“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called [or: a called apostle] as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”
Scripture Reading: Romans 1: 1-32
Verse 1:
Apostles are called and set apart for the preaching of the Gospel.
[Note: Acts 28:3 — Paul was also a tent-maker; a business man who could reach many people through his business]
Verse 5:
Apostles receive grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among the nations on behalf of Jesus’ name.
Verse 7:
Apostles are sent to bring grace and peace, inner calm and spiritual well-being, to the saints, in the nations, from God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.
Verses 9-10:
Apostles are called to intercede for those to whom they are sent, mentioning them by name to the Father, in prayer.
[Note: 1Thessalonians 2:6-8 — to consider them as a mother does her children]
Verses 11-12:
Apostles impart that which they have been Spiritually gifted with by God to establish others in the faith, and for their mutual encouragement and comfort.
Verse 13:
Apostles can only go where they are sent by God, for they are sent to be productive.
Verse 14:
Apostles are sent to everyone, no matter their level of education; they are sent to the cultured and the uncultured, the wise and the foolish.
Verse 16:
Apostles boldly share the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first and also to the Greek [by implication: to all other nations]
Verse 17:
Apostles bring the revelation of God so that, through the preaching of the Gospel, people may grow in righteousness and faith.
Verse 18-20:
Apostles leave people without excuse by revealing God, His attributes, and His divine nature to them, [and the riches of His kindness, patience and restraint so that they may come to a place of repentance, Romans 2:4, and live a godly and righteous life.]
[Note: Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children”]
Verses 21-32:
Apostles identify sin, and its consequences — the ultimate anger of God toward those who knowingly live a wicked life in defiance of God’s will, and suppress and stifle the truth by their wickedness.
[Note: “Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.” 1Thessalonians 5:19]
Sent to the Gentiles — the Nations of the World
[Note: Those who live a righteous and godly life, whether they are a follower of Jesus yet or not — God considers them to be favorable toward the Gospel and God’s children: “For the one who is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40]
Romans 2:12-14
12 “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my Gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus.”
Note: Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15 — the consequences of righteousness and wickedness at the Judgment]
God’s Promises to the Jews and all the other Nations
Jeremiah 31:33
“‘For this is the covenant which I will make with the House of Israel after those days,’ declares the Lord: ‘I will put My Law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’”
Joel 2:28
“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Encouragement: This means you!
Every believer has been sent with the commission Jesus gave them, to their sphere of influence, for the salvation of the people, through Baptism into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Who will come and live in them and remind them of everything God has taught them [John 14:26; Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16-17]
Luke 11:49
“For this reason also, the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles…”
Ephesians 4:11
“And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,”
Jesus Found Himself in the Book — So can You
Luke 4:17-19 [NASB]
18 “And the Book of the Prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And he opened the Book and found the place where it was written,
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.’”
Find yourself in the Book, and be who God called to be — a child of God, who imitates their Father in Heaven, just as Jesus did.
Go where God sends you, and say and do whatever He tells you to say and do.
Paul and Barnabas were already doing the work they were then ordained to continue. [Acts 13:2]
God exalts those to the Kingdom position of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher, when He finds them faithfully doing so without the title, for He honors the faithful and equips them with everything they need to accomplish His will in the Earth.
There are natural gifts and talents given to everyone, and King Solomon declares in Proverbs 22:6 [AMP] “Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
The AMPC translation says, “[and in keeping with his individual gift or bent]”.
The Apostle Peter declares in 2Peter 2:14 that some had been “trained in greed”. So, it is important to train a child of God according to the principles of the Kingdom of God — righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [Romans 14:17]
Even in the natural, those who achieve a level of mastery in their gifting will be appointed to teach others how to accomplish it as they have, and so it is with the Spiritual Gifts.
[Romans 12, 1Corinthians 12]
Find what you are good at in the Book. Look for the Scriptures which pertain to your skill, career or business, or whatever the talent may be and find God’s perspective and grow in grace and knowledge of it. Be discipled, mentored, or trained in your gift or talent, just like an athlete trains to become a champion. God has equipped you already with faith, and will work through you for His purpose and Glory. God then exalts the humble to a position of influence until His Glory covers the Earth.
Praying the Word: “I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) Who strengthens me.” [Philippians 4:13 NKJV]
Precedents:
Acts 9:22 [NASB1995]
“But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”
1Timothy 1:12
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,”
1Peter 4:11
“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Consider this with all soberness, however, as the Apostle James admonishes us [in James 3:1 AMPC] because to teach others is a calling from God —
“Not many of you should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; this we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].
Ministry Gifts
The Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is founded on Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd and Apostle of our Faith.
Each Church congregation is ideally founded by the Apostolic and Prophetic gift. An Evangelist evangelizes a particular sphere of influence, the Pastor shepherds the people in that sphere, and the Teacher expounds on, and disciples the people, according to the teachings of Jesus, and the ongoing revelation from God given to each gifted Minister of the Gospel.
Each of these ministry gifts is touched by the Apostle, just as a thumb touches each of the fingers on a hand. A Teacher then is judged more critically because he or she represents all the other ministry gifts in the Kingdom, and passes on the wisdom, and knowledge, and understanding given them to others.
Preach the Gospel, with and Without Words
I have heard it said, “Preach the Gospel — and if you have to —use words.”
The Apostles Peter and Paul made it clear that sometimes we can only preach the Gospel by setting a good example in our sphere of influence. In a household, where there is an unbelieving husband, for example, a wife was to win her husband by her godly lifestyle not her words. [1Corinthians 7:13-16; 1Peter 3:1]
Whatever your skill, gift, talent, career, business, or any other calling in the Kingdom, perfect it through training and consider it a ministry of excellence unto Jesus Christ our King. And if you are privileged to use words to preach the Gospel, walk as Jesus walked. [1John 2:6]
