Apostles, the.

• 1 min. read • grade level: 14

Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle." Heb. 3:1¹Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1).

Ordained by Christ. Mar. 3:14. John. 15:16.

Received their title from Christ. Luke 6:13¹³And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:13).

CALLED BY

God. 1 Cor. 1:1¹Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, (1 Corinthians 1:1). 1 Cor. 12:28²⁸And 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 12:28). Gal. 1:1, 15, 16¹Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1)
¹⁵But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, ¹⁶To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (Galatians 1:15‑16).

Christ. Mat. 10:1. Mar. 3:13. Acts 20:24²⁴But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24). Rom. 1:5⁵By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (Romans 1:5).

The Holy Ghost. Acts 13:2, 4²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
⁴So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4).

Were unlearned men. Acts 4:13¹³Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13).

Selected from obscure stations. Mat. 4:18.

Sent first to the house of Israel. Mat. 10:5, 6. Luke 24:47⁴⁷And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47). Acts 13:46⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46).

Sent to preach the gospel to all nations. Mat. 28:19, 20. Mar. 16:15. 2 Tim. 1:11¹¹Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (2 Timothy 1:11).

Christ always present with. Mat. 28:20.

Warned against a timid profession of Christ. Mat. 10:27-33.

The Holy Ghost given to. John. 20:22. Acts 2:1-4¹And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4). Acts 9:17¹⁷And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17).

Guided by the Spirit into all truth. John. 14:26. John. 15:26. John. 16:13.

Instructed by the Spirit to answer adversaries. Mat. 10:19, 20. Luke 12:11, 12¹¹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: ¹²For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. (Luke 12:11‑12).

Specially devoted to the office of the ministry. Acts 6:4⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4). Acts 20:27²⁷For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27).

Humility urged upon. Mat. 20:26, 27. Mar. 9:33-37. Luke 22:24-30²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:24‑30).

Self-denial urged upon. Mat. 10:37-39.

Mutual love urged upon. John. 15:17.

Equal authority given to each of. Mat. 16:19, with Mat. 18:18. 2 Cor. 11:5⁵For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. (2 Corinthians 11:5).

Were not of the world. John. 15:19. John 17:16¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16).

Were hated by the world. Mat. 10:22. Mat. 24:9. John. 15:18.

Persecutions and sufferings of. Mat. 10:16, 18. Luke 21:16¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (Luke 21:16). John. 15:20. John. 16:2.

Saw Christ in the flesh. Luke 1:2²Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; (Luke 1:2). Acts 1:22²²Beginning 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. (Acts 1:22). 1 Cor. 9:1¹Am 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 9:1). 1 John. 1:1.

Witnesses of the resurrection and ascension of Christ Luke 24:33-41, 51³³And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, ³⁴Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. ³⁵And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. ³⁶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. ⁴⁰And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? (Luke 24:33‑41)
⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:51). Acts 1:2-9²Until 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: ³To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: ⁴And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. ⁵For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ⁶When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? ⁷And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. ⁸But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁹And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:2‑9). Acts 10: 40, 41.

1 Cor. 15:8⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:8).

Empowered to work miracles. Mat. 10:1, 8. Mar. 16:20. Luke 9:1¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1). Acts 2:43⁴³And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (Acts 2:43).

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