THE APOSTLESHIP
Morning Meditation 8/4/16
I am going to deal in this morning meditation with the subject of Apostleship.
One of our ladies came to me recently and asked me a question about apostleship. She attends a ladies Bible study in a home. The teacher taught that the word disciple and the word apostle were synonyms and actually meant the same. She taught her class that day that an apostle was something into which one could grow. I guess her idea was that you started out as an “epistle and grew into an Apostle!” I am not really making fun. Bible study is serious and no one should be put down because of mistakes. But this class was taught by a lady who has been teaching the Bible for years and should know better. It also makes me aware of the tremendous responsibility of the teacher to be as mistake-free as possible.
The first use of the word in Matthew is in Matt 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 . . .” and he goes on to name the rest. The word “Apostle is a strengthening compound of “stello” and is common in Greek for ‘to send forth,’ differing from ‘pempo,’ which stresses the fact of sending, by it relating of sender and sent and its consequent implication of a commission, especially in Hellenistic Greek.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament by Kittel). It means “one sent with a commission.” This word describes what missionaries do today. Most of my friends believe the missionary is the evangelist identified in Scripture. I believe he is the apostle that didn’t occupy the apostolic office like Barnabas. The missionary is sent to do a specific job, i.e., to wiin the lost and start Churches and this is what the apostles did. I know I won’t settle this argument but now you know what I believe!
The apostles were called specifically for the purpose (Matt. 4:18-20) and were “ordained.” Mark 3:14: “And he ORDAINED twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ORDAINED you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Acts 1:22: “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.” Ordination is a solemn setting apart of a person for a specific task. He is given authority to carry out his office and power to accomplish his work. (Caps mine).
The original twelve made up the apostolic office in the early church and their office and ministry will be re-established in the millennial kingdom. Matt. 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.” Judas was an unbeliever from the beginning (John 6:63) and Jesus tells us that He knew it. He fell from the office and not from grace because he was never in the grace of God (Acts :1:25). Matthias was chosen to take his place and become one of the Twelve (Acts 1:26). The Twelve are called the Eleven after the fall of Judas and before the election of Matthias (Luke 24:33; Acts 1:26; 2:14). The Eleven are called the Twelve after the election of Matthias and before the salvation and call of Paul (Acts 6:2). Some insist that Paul was one of the Twelve and the Church was out of line to elect Matthias. Usually when the someone does something that is wrong the Word of God in the context or somewhere will draw attention to it. If the Church was wrong, there is not the slightest indication anywhere in Scripture where they are so charged. Paul also said he was not one of the Twelve. It seems like he would know. Right?! In 1 Cor. 15 Paul talks about the Lord’s resurrection and of those who witnessed it. Here is how he puts it: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 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. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Cor. 15:3-9). It is clear in the New testament that you could be an apostle and not one of the twelve. Barnabas was an apostle: Acts 14:14 says, “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out. . .” Barnabas is definitely identified as an apostle in this verse.
Note the order in this passage: first, he was seen of Cephas, second, he was seen of the Twelve, third, he was seen of over five hundred brethren at once, and fourth, he was seen of James, fifth, he was seen of all the apostles and sixth, and last of all, he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Paul definitely does not identify himself as one of the Twelve in this passage. Now if you can twist this around and make Paul one of the Twelve, I’m not for sure I’d want you to be my Bible teacher. I am afraid of anyone who has to do gymnastics with the Word of God to make it say what they want it to say! Now don’t get upset with me. If the Lord will bring it up for a vote, I’ll vote with you for Paul. But since the Lord has not given me the opportunity to vote, I guess I’ll just have to believe that Matthias was God’s choice and if I am wrong I’ll bow before Him in the day of judgment and apologize!!!
The apostles were not the result of the evolution of a disciple into an apostle. Apostles were called for a specific task and were given special abilities for the confirmation and effectiveness of their office. Examine the following Scriptures: Acts 2:43: “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” 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 . . .” 2 Cor. 12:12: “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” The words “signs of an apostle” are identifiers of special gifts.
The apostolic OFFICE died with the death of the original apostles. It was not a continuing office. These were gifted men put in the church by the Lord until the completion of the Scriptures. “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” (1Cor. 12:28).
The Roman Catholic Church believes in papal succession. The Mormons believe in Apostolic succession. We as Baptist believe in Church succession. Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The gates of hell have made every attempt to destroy the Church. It hasn’t worked. The Church is here to stay until the rapture. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
In closing, Jesus is also called an Apostle: Heb 3:1 says, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” Jesus was sent with a commission and He fulfilled it in dying on the cross, paying the price of redemption for those who would believe the gospel, and establishing a Church to take the message of salvation to the lost until the rapture.
God bless each of you.
In Christ
Bro. White
