Who were the apostles?
The Lord Jesus Christ chose certain men to be his apostles. These men were "sent forth" with authority as messengers of Jesus to represent him to the lost world.
The apostles began their ministry during the time of Jesus' ministry on the earth:
Judas Iscariot was replaced after the resurrection of Jesus by Matthias:
The apostle's ministry continued after Jesus' resurrection (note the day of Pentecost and beyond):
Later, Barnabus and Paul were also considered apostles:
What does apostle mean?
The word apostle means:
What do apostles do?
The apostles preached and taught about the things Jesus gave them orders to preach and teach about:
The impact of the apostle's ministry
The importance of the ministry of the apostles in the church is evident:
The necessity of the apostle's teaching
The Christian faith was taken by the apostles into a non-Christian world. The converts to Christianity were challenged by non-Christian culture. It was necessary for the apostles to establish guidelines in Christian living for these new converts.
"...decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles....And so were the churches established..."
Our goal
Our goal is to teach, preach and follow
The Lord Jesus Christ chose certain men to be his apostles. These men were "sent forth" with authority as messengers of Jesus to represent him to the lost world.
The apostles began their ministry during the time of Jesus' ministry on the earth:
- 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.
- 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; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Judas Iscariot was replaced after the resurrection of Jesus by Matthias:
- Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The apostle's ministry continued after Jesus' resurrection (note the day of Pentecost and beyond):
- Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostle's doctrine (teaching) and fellowship...
Later, Barnabus and Paul were also considered apostles:
- Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabus and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people...
What does apostle mean?
The word apostle means:
- a delegate, a messenger, one sent forth with orders
What do apostles do?
The apostles preached and taught about the things Jesus gave them orders to preach and teach about:
- the identity and character of Jesus
- the plan of salvation (Christian faith)
- the type of life a Christian should live (Christian lifestyle)
- the transformation that happens in a Christian's life
- the power and authority of faith in a Christian's life
- the character of the devil, sin and evil
- and much more
The impact of the apostle's ministry
The importance of the ministry of the apostles in the church is evident:
- 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 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people...
- Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
- Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ (the church).
The necessity of the apostle's teaching
The Christian faith was taken by the apostles into a non-Christian world. The converts to Christianity were challenged by non-Christian culture. It was necessary for the apostles to establish guidelines in Christian living for these new converts.
- Acts 16:4-5 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. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
"...decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles....And so were the churches established..."
- Apostolic teaching (decree/doctrine) about right living that would protect the Christian from moral danger.
- These teachings (decrees/doctrines) were pronounced as a judgment by the apostles that were important and necessary in determining what is right and wrong in matters of common life.
- Acceptance of and willing obedience to these apostolic teachings (decrees/doctrines) would make the Christian convert become solid, firm and strong in their Christian faith and life.
Our goal
Our goal is to teach, preach and follow
- The examples of the apostle's faith in Jesus Christ, and
- The principles of Apostolic Teaching which will help us in this day to become mature, solid, firm and strong in our Christian faith and life.