PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
– AUTHORITY AND THE APOSTLES –
(Week 5)
In three of the letters of the Apostle Paul, he speaks of his apostleship. (Romans 1:5;
I Corinthians 9:2; Galatians 2:8) Luke speaks of Matthias replacing Judas in the loss of his apostleship in Acts 1:25. There are two kinds of apostles spoken of in God’s word:
the true and the false. In the strictest use of the word, “apostle” means “one sent forth.”
Jesus originally chose twelve disciples or “learners” to follow Him in His earthly ministry. They are named in Matthew 10:2-4 and Luke 6:13-16. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry they were sent on a “limited commission” to the Jews only. Later, after
Pentecost they would go into all the world. In Acts 2 there were Jews and proselyted Jews from all over the known world. With the beginning of Acts 10 we see God’s plan for redeeming all mankind being extended to the Gentiles.
The Apostle Paul did not neglect his own kinsman and countrymen, the Jews, but he was commissioned to go specifically to the Gentiles as a people. (Acts 9:15; 22:21;
26:15-18) Previously we have spent some time explaining a proper chain of command.
We have shown how all authority has originated with God, the Father. We have seen how the Holy Spirit carries out the express will of God, the Father. We have also shown how God, the Father has delegated all authority in heaven and on earth in to the hands of the
Savior, Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Jesus has in turn delegated this authority to the apostles. In giving them this authority they act in His name carrying out His will.
Consider the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
The Holy Spirit brought to the memory of the apostles all things that Jesus had taught them during His short earthly ministry. (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13-15) These 13 men
Jesus commissioned to go and take His message of salvation to all the world. There are no living apostles today. Anyone who says they are will be found to be a false prophet. Only those individuals who had actually seen Jesus and been in His company could be an apostle. Paul was given this opportunity by special revelation on the road to
Damascus as we have learned from the book of Acts. These 13 men were given the ability to speak in known languages that they had not previously spoken. They were given the ability to heal individuals or strike them with illness. Poison would not harm them, nor would a deadly snake bite. These men were delegated authority. This authority gave them the right to bind or loose things here in this world and in the world to come.
These men were guided by the Holy Spirit in the things they spoke and in the things they wrote down. God’s word, the Bible, was written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today, we have recorded all the words that Jesus wanted us to have. There are no latter day prophecies or revelations being given by God. Any last day prophecy or revelation being given today is false and originated with the Devil, Satan, who rebelled against the authority of God, the Father. We must follow the teachings of the apostles today for in so doing we are following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Larry R. Scott, minister, serving the churches of Christ
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
– AUHTORITY AND THE APOSTLES –
(Week 5)
1. What does the word “apostle” mean? ___________________________________
2. According to Luke 22:14 how many apostles were present at the Last Supper? ____
3. What did Jesus say to Peter about the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew
16:19? _____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. If we would follow the example of the early Christians what are we to do about the
doctrine of the apostles according to Acts 2:42? ______________________________
5. What were the apostles able to do according to Acts 5:12? _____________________
______________________________
6. According to Acts 5:29 who are we to ultimately obey? _________________________
7. According to Romans 1:1 was Paul called to be an apostle? _________________
8. Was Paul an apostle to the Gentiles? (Romans 11:13) _______________
9. Was Paul any less an apostle than the other 12? (II Corinthians 11:5) _________
10. Are the apostles considered a part of the foundation in building our faith? _______
How is that so according to Ephesians 2? ________________________________
11. Was Paul both a preacher and an apostle? (I Thessalonians 2:7; II Thessalonians 1:11)
______________
12. Where in Peter do we find him referring to himself as an apostle? ________________
13. Are the words of the apostles just as binding as the words of the prophets? _________
(II Peter 3:2)
14. What does Paul say that “false apostles” have the ability to do? (II Corinthians 11:13-15)
_______________________________________________________________
Student____________________
Date_______________ Grade_________________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott, minister
Church of Christ
Williamston, NC