01.09. The Apostles
THE APOSTLES Memory Verses:Matthew 16:19;2 Corinthians 5:20.
MEANING OF THE WORD APOSTLE The word Apostle (Greek Apostolos, from apo, from, and stello, to send) means one sent away; by implication, one sent on a mission. Jesus selected twelve men that he might send them forth to preach (Mark 3:14). Hence, they were called apostles. They have been too much neglected; we are not as familiar with them as we should be. Their importance is attested by the fact that Jesus selected them, carefully taught them, and trained them during his ministry on earth, bore with their weaknesses and follies, and intrusted to them the great work of preaching the gospel to the world. The prevailing ignorance of their work and relationship to the unfolding and developing of the kingdom of God is both lamentable and criminal; lamentable because it is criminal. THEIR NAMES
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, or Nathaniel, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus or Thaddeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot.
SOCIAL STANDING The original twelve were not selected from among the religious leaders of the Jews, nor were they selected from what might be styled the lower strata of society—the shiftless, irresponsible element; but rather from the great common class, the class that heard Jesus gladly (Mark 12:37). While they were not learned in the schools of the rabbis, they were not illiterate; for it is said that all Jewish children were taught to read in the Synagogue schools.
Some of them, at least Peter and Andrew, James and John, were fishers. Simon owned a goat (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:111). The fact that they had hired servants indicates that they were men of some means and business ability. Matthew was a publican, tax collector (Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27). The Bible gives us very little information touching the life and occupation of the apostles, because their office and work is to be emphasized rather than their personal history.
JUDAS ISCARIOT
Possibly there is no one character more detested than a traitor, and especially must this be true of him who betrayed the Master. In the list of the apostles Judas is always last. He was selected by Christ and with the others sent forth on their mission to the Jews, empowered as they were (Matthew 10:4-15; Luke 6:16; Mark 3:19). Matthew and Mark add, following his name, the qualifying clause, ’’who also betrayed him." Luke adds, "who was the traitor." Judas was the treasurer for the company (John 13:39), and to him most likely was entrusted the duty of making the purchases incident to their work, as well as for their personal necessities. Though he was styled the friend of Christ (Psalms 41:9), his selfishness as well as parsimonious-ness is manifested when he interposed an objection to Mary’s spending money for ointment with which to anoint the feet of Jesus (John 12:1-5). Not only is Judas Iscariot numbered with the twelve apostles, but he "obtained a part of the ministry" (Acts 1:17).
Satan entered Judas (John 13:26), for money he betrayed the Lord (Matthew 26:15), and than committed suicide (Matthew 27:5).
Touching the matter of his sins, Peter says, "Judas fell away" (Acts 1:25).
MATTHIAS In Acts 1:1-26 is recorded the selection of Matthias to "take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away" (Acts 1:25).
Peter declares that an apostle must be a witness of the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:30). In the company of the disciples assembled as mentioned in Acts 1:1-26, there were two, Barnabas and Matthias, who possessed the necessary qualifications for the apostleship. "Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabas who was sur-named Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou has chosen, to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place, And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:21-26).
Some have entertained the view that the disciples had an election—that by balloting they elected Matthias. Such is far from the fact. They prayed, Lord, "show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen" (Acts 1:24). They did not ask the Lord to show them which one to choose, or elect, but prayed the Lord to show which one he had chosen. They then gave lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias. The idea of election is not in casting lots. In an election, there is necessarily the expressing of choice, while in casting lots there is not, and can not be. Thayer says, "Kleros, A lot; i.e., an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or potsherd, or a bit of wood, . . . the lots of the several persons concerned, inscribed with their names, were thrown together in a vase, which was then, shaken, and he whose lot first fell out upon the ground was the one chosen." "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah" (Proverbs 16:33). The idea of the disciples electing one to take the place of Judas is not in the lesson. The Lord made the selection and made known his choice. WAS MATTHIAS AN APOSTLE?
Some have contended that since the occurrence in Acts 1:1-26 was before the apostles were "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4), their action was without authority. Had they been making the choice there might be some ground for this contention; but it was never within the province of the apostles to make the selection. That Matthias became one of the apostles is attested by Luke when he says that Matthias "was numbered with the eleven apostles." "But Peter, standing up with the eleven" (Acts 1:26; Acts 2:14), also by Paul when he affirmed that Christ appeared to "the twelve" after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). The "twelve" are referred to in Acts 6:2.
PAUL THE APOSTLE-SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE To be an apostle one must see the Lord. Paul was no exception to this though he was not chosen, from the disciples who had been instructed by the Lord during his personal ministry. Paul says, "Last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also" (1 Corinthians 15:8). By way of parenthesis it might be observed that Paul could not be "last of all," if there were ever to be any more apostles. Hence, the contention by the Mormons that they have apostles now cannot be true. The expression, "as to the child untimely born," means that Paul was made an apostle out of the ordinary, after the regular time for making an apostle. If within such a few years after the death of the Lord Paul felt that his selection was as one "untimely born" for the apostleship, what must be the feeling of one who makes the claim that he is an apostle nearly eighteen hundred years after the death of the Lord?
Jesus appeared to him on his way to Damascus and said: "I appeared unto thee to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things where in I will appear unto thee" (Acts 26:16). Paul was called to the apostle-ship by the Lord in person, and not by man—"not from men, neither through man but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father" (Galatians 1:1). He received the gospel by revelation as did the other apostles, "Neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:12). He affirms that the other apostles imparted to him nothing (Galatians 2:6). His special mission, was to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16; Galatians 2:7-9). The signs of an apostle were (2 Corinthians 12:12): (1) A divine call— "not from men, neither through man" (Galatians 1:1). (2) A witness of Christ’s resurrection— must have seen the Lord (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8). (3) Inspiration (Luke 24:47-49); Acts 1:8; Galatians 1:12). (4) Miraculous power (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 2:4). (5) Speaking with tongues (Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 14:18). THE APOSTLES WERE—
Judges. "Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon the twelve thrones, judging- the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). It is the province of the judge to interpret the law, declare what the law is touching any point, pass sentence, and make decisions and rulings. With respect to what the law is, the apostles are the authority. In an important sense they have also passed sentence—they have declared the doom of the wicked, and the reward of the righteous.
Witnesses. "Ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:32). No man now can be a witness of the life, works and resurrection of Christ.
Ministers of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:6). Not only does Paul affirm that the apostles were ministers of the New Testament, but he very positively affirms that they were not ministers of the Old. After contrasting the Old and New Testaments, and affirming that the Old had passed away (2 Corinthians 3:1-18), that he might develop further the apostolic relationship to the new order, he reaffirms their ministry—"Therefore seeing we have this ministry," the ministry of the New Testament, "we faint not" (2 Corinthians 4:1). It was their duty and mission "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Earthen Vessels. A vessel is a container. The apostles were earthen vessels in which the gospel was deposited that they might carry it to the world. Jesus might have elected angels by which to send the gospel to the world; but in that case, people would have given chief attention to the messengers rather than the message, and would have thought that the power and saving force was in the vessel, rather than in the message it contained. But God would emphasize the value of the message and the saving power back of it. He selected earthen vessels, men beset with human weaknesses as, we are, in whom every one knew dwelt no regenerating power "that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves" (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Paul declares that God gave unto the apostles the ministry, or service, of reconciliation—the work of bringing the world back to God. Evidently they could do this only by preaching the gospel to the world and bringing them through penitent obedience back to harmony with God. This is made certain by Paul’s further declaration (in 2 Corinthians 5:18) that God had committed to them (marginal reading, "placed in us") the word of reconciliation. These preliminary affirmations led him to declare, "We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us; we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God."
"An ambassador is the highest rank of diplomatic agent. He represents the person of his sovereign as well as the state which sends him." As ambassadors they were acting on behalf of Christ. It is presumption now for a preacher to claim to be an ambassador.
KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
While Christ was with them he indicated that great power and authority would be given them. Jesus said to Peter, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). It should not be concluded from this quotation that Christ gave this power to Peter only. The same power was given to each of the apostles (John 20:21-23). Giving the "keys of the kingdom" to the apostles was simply transferring to them authority in the kingdom, which is indicated further by their binding and loosing. Some speak of "keys" as though Jesus gave them two keys with which they might open two doors, thus indicating that there were two ways of entering the kingdom, one for Jews, and another for the Gentiles. The conditions imposed on Jews and Gentiles were the same. To Hear the Apostles Was to Hear of Christ. When a true messenger has been selected and sent by Christ, he delivers the message of Jesus. It follows that the declaration of Jesus, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me" (Luke 10:16), is applicable to the apostles as it was to the seventy. No one should be so impious as to say that the words uttered by Jesus are of more importance than those uttered by his accredited messengers. The apostles had tremendous power granted them; but Jesus did not leave them to proceed in their ignorance and prejudices nor according to human wisdom. They had adequate preparation. THEIR PREPARATION The twelve were with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry, first, simply as disciples; later, chosen as apostles. They were with him during his entire ministry, under his personal care, influence, and teaching. In this school there was no seclusion from the world, but out in the open and amidst the throngs and busy marts they learned the practical lessons of life from him who "spake as never man spake." It is true that on occasion when alone with them he taught them the deep things of his kingdom, things which the world was not prepared to receive. He even taught them how to pray (Matthew 6:5-15). On one occasion the disciples asked him to teach them to pray, as John taught his disciples (Luke 11:1-4). Notice the brevity, the directness, the simplicity, and yet the fullness, the comprehensiveness of this model Jesus gave his disciples. Did Not Rely on Self. The personal teaching and training was not sufficient for so great work. Memory is treacherous—they might forget, indeed would forget much. To forestall this human weakness, Jesus promised them "The Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you" (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:713).
"PRIMACY OF PETER" AND APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
"The Primacy of Peter" is a Catholic dogma. They claim that he was placed by Christ as supreme head of the church on earth, over even the rest of the apostles; and that the Pope of Rome is his successor, and today has the keys of the kingdom, with power to change times, seasons and laws, being infallible in his official capacity. Because of Peter’s impulsiveness, energy and boldness, he for a time gained more notoriety than the other apostles, but that is no indication of official superiority. The church at Jerusalem had no such idea as that of Peter being superior to the others, for when he returned from preaching to Cornelius, some contended with him about it (Acts 11:1). Peter did not dismiss the matter by denying their right to call his conduct in question, but quietly explained the whole matter. They were satisfied. His explanation, not official authority as a Pope, silenced them. Imagine, if you can, any number of Catholics attacking a Pope as these men did Peter! Would he silence them by argument? He would excommunicate them, and they would not be reinstated in favor unless they did penance.
Again, in the controversy about circumcision (Acts 15:1-41) there is no indication that the church or the other apostles ascribed to Peter any superiority over the other apostles. Later Paul withstood Peter to his face, because Peter was in the wrong (Galatians 2:11-14). Certainly Peter did not here assert any official superiority over Paul; and Paul asserted that he himself was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostle (2 Corinthians 11:1-33; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 12:11). From the facts already submitted, "It follows, of necessity, that the apostles could have no successors in office. Neither the Pope of Rome nor the Archbishop of Canterbury can ever possess their qualifications, or discharge the special duties of their office. The fact is that in, and by, and through their writings they themselves still live and preside over the whole church of God, according to the promise of Christ given to them in Matthew 19:28, and in the same sense it is that Christ will be with them, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). And hence we conclude that the twenty-seven canonical books of the New Testament are the only proper successors of the apostles on earth." WHEN AND WHERE THEY BEGAN
It is evident that they could not begin their worldwide work as apostles till they were fully prepared by the reception and miraculous powers of the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus emphatically charges them, "Tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). The city was Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). "Being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father ... ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:4-5). They were in Jerusalem, the proper place, and the time was near, "not many days hence." Again, "But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "In Jerusalem," "when the Holy Spirit is come upon you," "Not many days hence." A few days later "when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all together in. one place," the proper place, the city of Jerusalem, "and suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder like as a fire; and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4). They were now in the proper place, and the time for their work had come. The multitude came together, and Peter preached to them, convincing them of sin, so that they asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do." Whatever Peter told them to do was binding on them and is binding on us today (Acts 2:36-38).
TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION The Model Prayer.
Personal Traits of Peter.
Personal Traits of Paul.
Personal Traits of John.
Personal Traits of the Other Apostles.
QUESTIONS
Repeat the memory verses.
What does the word apostle mean?
Why were they called apostles?
Repeat from memory the names of the apostles.
From what class of men were they selected?
Were they illiterate?
Tell about the business of some of them.
Was Judas ever an accredited apostle?
Give your reasons for your answer.
In what capacity did Judas serve Christ and the apostles?
How did he manifest his parsimoniousness and love for money?
Give the closing incidents in the history of Judas.
How did Judas lose his apostleship?
Who took the place of Judas?
What necessary qualifications does Peter mention?
How was the choice of Matthias indicated?
Was Matthias elected by the apostles?
What does casting lots mean?
Give quotations and proof that Matthias was an apostle.
Was Paul one of the original apostles?
When did the Lord appear to him?
What is the meaning of "as to one untimely born?”
In what sense was this true as to Paul?
What does "last of all" mean?
Can there then be any apostles now?
Why did the Lord appear to Paul?
Give some references proving that the Lord called him?
To whom was he an apostle?
Give five signs of an apostle.
Give the work of apostles as judges.
Give the work of the apostles as witnesses.
Of what were they witnesses?
What is essential to being a witness?
Can one be a witness now?
Apostles are ministers of what?
In what sense were they earthen vessels?
Why men instead of angels selected to carry the gospel to the world?
What does the word reconciliation mean?
Why was reconciliation necessary?
Who was to be reconciled?
How did the apostles bring about reconciliation?
What is the official rank of an ambassador?
What quotations indicate their authority as ambassadors?
What is the significance of "the keys of the kingdom?"
Do you know how many "keys" were given?
How many ways of entering the kingdom are there?
Are the words of Jesus of more authority than those of the apostles?
Give something of the personal training the twelve received of Christ.
Repeat the prayer Jesus gave them as a model.
What can you say of its length, brevity and the like?
Why was not personal training and teaching sufficient?
How was this deficiency supplied?
Give the Roman Catholic position as to the official superiority of Peter.
What does Paul say of his own authority as an apostle?
Why can the apostles have no successors?
For what must they wait before beginning?
Where were they to wait?
When did they receive the power?
What was this power?
Whose sermon is recorded?
What effect did it have?
What reply did Peter make?
Is it binding?