Believe it or not there is some confusion among Christians as to what the term "apostle" means or who can be an apostle. Let's start with the definition.
From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle"), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, HE THAT IS SENT.
The meaning is "one who is sent" with the authority of the sender. It is NOT an office like a Bishop, Pastor or Elder. If being an "apostle" was an office or leadership position within a church then there would be qualifications listed like there is for an "Elder" or "Bishop", or Deacon. But there is not. There has been some very bad teachings concerning this little word.
There were all together 13 Apostles OF Christ, then finally down to 12. Judas as we know betrayed Christ and killed himself. So who was the replacement for Judas? Who later became an Apostle "OF" Christ? This means that it is Christ who must appoint that person directly and personally in order to be HIS Apostle.
All an "apostle" is ...is someone "who is sent" to do something with the authority "OF" the person who personally sent them.
No one today can be an Apostle "OF" Jesus Christ. We can be an apostle but not "OF" Jesus Christ. We are Disciples of Christ but not Apostles "OF" Christ. If your Pastor"s name is Joe and let's say he sent you to deliver a message to another church or to buy something at Home Depot, then you have become your Pastor's "apostle" until you have completed your mission. You are an apostle "OF" Joe. It is just that simple.
There has been much confusion about this word "apostle" mainly among Charismatics, Word of Faith Movement, etc. and even by the Roman Catholic Church who twist the meaning of the word to support what is called "Apostolic Succession". This means that an Apostle of Christ had the power to make someone an Apostle "OF" Jesus Christ and that power could be continued making Apostles of Christ. That is simply a bad teaching and totally unbiblical. Only Jesus Christ has the power to make Himself more Apostles and that He never did and won't do as He only picked 13, minus Judas who was replaced by Paul making only 12. Here is more proof that there can be no more Apostles OF Christ.
Rev 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. NKJV
How many Apostles "OF" the Lamb? TWELVE [12]...only 12.
The disciples who replaced Judas, was Matthas, which can be found in Acts chapter 1: verses 15-26.
There you will also find the qualifications and requirements of an Apostle.
I hate writing all of this but I know there are those who will not take the time to open their Bibles to read it for themsleves so I will write it.
ACTS CHAPTER 1: VERSES 15-17.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about 120 in the upper room), and said, "Men and brothers, this Scripture must be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry...
Verses 21-26. Therefore, of these men who have (1) been with us all the time during the time when the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to that day when He was taken up from us, (2) it must be one of these who was ordained to be witness with us of His resurrection with us. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed, and said, You Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show us which one of these You have chosne. So that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they cast forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered(counted) wit the ELEVEN APOSTLES. Matthias became the 12th disciples/apostle.
Qualifications of an Apostle are numbered above. There are even women who call themselve apostles ...hot mess!
You don't think Peter got a little ahead of himself, like he always did? Or do you think that Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus just to blind him? Personally, I will trust in Jesus' judgment before Peter's. Peter decided that another Apostle was needed, and he was right, but he didn't know that Jesus already had someone in mind.
I can prove all this with scripture if you like, but I think you are just messing with us again.
WOW! Leon... now I know for a fact that you and Walter are leftovers from the Jim Jones crew! What kind of question of unbelief is this you ask?... my. my, my!
Too much koo-laid, still in your system ... :Mug::excited::toomuch::purpleangel:
Every thing that God reports does not mean He supports.
Peter and the other Apostles had NOT as yet received the Holy Spirit and Christ had told them to WAIT. They didn't wait. Even Paul had to sternly rebuke Peter later in scriptures. Peter was known for his mess ups. Study Acts more carefully.
Matthias was wrongly appointed as Judas' replacement. He was appointed as an apostle but... NOT OF Christ. To be an Apostle "OF" Christ you must be appointed by Christ PERSONALLY and DIRECTLY. Jesus never appointed Matthias. Never and He was with him for 40 days before He ascended to Heaven. You would think that if Jesus wanted Mathias as the replacement for Judas that He would have done so while He was still here. But Jesus did NOT pick Mathias. Like Leon mentioned....do you think Jesus had someone else in mind? Of course He did and He hand picked Saul/Paul.
How many thrones are reserved for the Apostles? TWELVE!
Luke 22:30 "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." NKJV.
Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NKJV
Jesus was talking to HIS 12 Apostles in the verses above. Jesus' comments do not apply to all Christians. That would violate the context.
Rev 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
So which one will have his name written on one of the twelve foundations? Paul or Mathias? Which one is an Apostle "OF" Jesus Christ?
Will Matthias and Paul have to draw straws to see who gets a throne. Or perhaps it's done like a "time share" property. One year Paul gets it the next year Matthias gets it. LOL
The criterion for becoming an Apostle OF Jesus Christ necessarily requires that Jesus hand picks you personally.
Look what Paul said.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), NKJV
Who do you think Paul was referring to when he said "an apostle...."NOT OF MEN NOR THROUGH MEN"? If you knew your church history better you would know that Paul did get grief because of the situation Peter caused by wrongfully appointing Matthias as Judas' replacement which he had no authority to do. Peter was in his FLESH and not under the influence of the Holy Spirit. No man can make an apostle OF Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can do this.
"Apostolic Succession" is what you are defending and you are defending the ONLY passage that gives the Roman Catholic Church support for their false teachings in this. If Peter had the authority to appoint Matthias to be a replacement for Judas, to make Matthias an Apostle "OF" Jesus Christ, then the RCC has a legitimate claim to Apostolic Succession and can claim their authority as the "true church". Of course they are wrong !
Do you see it now? Do you understand what it means to be an apostle "OF" Christ? Do you now agree that Matthias is NOT Judas' replacement and not an Apostle OF Christ and that it is Paul?
The main problem with this in my opinion is that you are not understanding what an "apostle" is. It is not an office like Bishop, Pastor, etc. It is simply "one who is sent",.."a messenger". When the task is completed they are no longer a messenger. They are no longer an apostle. Jesus did not always call them Apostles for He called them disciples. They were only Apostles when they were sent on a mission.
Look at these verses.
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send [apostello]you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Matthew 23:34 "Therefore, indeed, I send [apostello] you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
Luke 10:3 "Go your way; behold, I send [apostello] you out as lambs among wolves.
When Jesus SENT[apostello] them on a mission they then became an Apostle. [apostolos]
"apostolos" is the Greek word which comes from "apostello".
As the scripture tells us just watch and wait... soon the truth will come to the light. I do declare Walter, you've had toooo much Jim Jones kool-aid... talkin 'bout in left field WOW!:excited::Mug::rolleyes::toomuch::ribbit::goofball::yay::zzzz::prayingf:
I'm praying for you and Leon my darlings cozz something isn't right.... maybe its the sugar in the kool-aid?... or the poison?... or it could just be the water?... whatever it is, it shoooo ain't right...Oh, I know! its the color of the kool-aid you and Leon have been drinking!!! why didn't I think of that earlier.... yeeeaaah! :excited::yay::prayingf::goofball:
One thing we do know, you're not any of the chosen... Praise Godd!!:yay:
FOR IT IS WRITTEN: and they prayed and said, YOU, LORD, WHO KNOWS THE HEARTS OF ALL MEN, SHOW WHICH OF THESE TWO YOU HAVE CHOSEN. SO THAT HE MAY TAKE PART OF THIS MINISTRY AND APOSTLESHIP FROM WHICH JUDAS BY TRANSGRESSION FELLL, THAT HE MIGHT GO TO THIS OWN PLACE.
AND THEY CAST FORTH THEIR LOTS, AND THE LOT FELL UPON MATTIAS, AND HE WAS COUNTED WITH THE ELVEN APOSTLE.
Now Walter, what part of this don't you understand?? Nothing you're saying is scripture, nor has any kind of spiritual insight or wisdom in the word. And those scritpures that you wrote have nothing to do with the choice of Matthias being chosen as an apostle, nor do they prove anything ... why do you read more into what is said? you are not spiriutlally interpreting God's Word correctly.
Its all your own or whomever commentaries or teachings you are listening to... its in error, sweetheart... You have need to read the word for its face value, and stop trying to interpret for yourself, and let the Holy Spirit lead you into all spiritual knowledge and understanding to know the truth of the word.... He will open up your understanding into ALL things that you're to know... that's pure foolishness what you wrote... too much kool-aid will do this to the mind, like the purple angel is real, right?... LOL:purpleangel:
...but then, if you don't believe that the Holy Spirit is still in business today giving out the gift of spiritual knowledge , understanding, and wisdom in the word of God, I can see why you come to your own conclusion and carnal nterpretations and opions about what the word is saying... so I suppose you would have no way of knowing if you're correct or not...uh... since the Holy Spirit isn't guiding you into all things as is His job.
Geeezzz, y'all sccaaare me with some of the crazzeee stuff you come up with....:rolleyes: I'ma start prayin rite now...:prayingf::prayingf:... I can't believe it!:zzzz::ribbit:
Galatians chapter 1:verse 1: Paul is introducing himself to the Galatian church, identifying his office and position in which he was called to be an apostle.
Paul, an apostle (not of men, nether by man) here Paul is letting it be known that he was not commissioned to be an apostle by man, or by any group of men, nor did any individual chose him to be an apostle... But by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him (Jesus) from the dead. This is letting us know that Paul was chosen ad called by Jesus and by God AFTER Jesus had been resurrected from the dead, and his call came from Jesus in heaven. While all the other disciples had been chosen by Jesus BEFORE His death on the cross and had walked with Jesus during His minsitry.
Walter, I have not a clue where you get all that other stuff you wrote....
I never said I didn't understand scripture, I just don't undersatnd where you get yur interpretations of scriptures, cuz, it sure isn't what I know through the HolySpirit, and/or have studied...
Matthew chapter 19: verse 28, question?... was not Judas with Jesus when this statement was made? Not Paul... so He wasn't speaking or including Paul at this point. Judas was following after Jesus.... and yes, He is speaking about the apostle judging Israel, annnnd what's your point?... still has nothing to do with Matthias being chosen as an apostle.
In Acts 1, Peter was aware that the number of Apostles was to be 12. It was always meant to be that way, and Walter has given you the scripture to prove that from Revelations, but you are blinded by pride or something and can't see it.
So, Acts 1 said that Peter stood in their midst (Not stood in their midst under the power of the Holy Spirit) and made his speech and cast lots, and Mattias won and they (THEY, not God) counted him with the 11. This is pretty simple stuff. Peter was always doing this, there is nothing new about it.
Let's look at the number 12. What is so important about this number? God seemed especially fond of this number. Was it by accident that there were 12 tribes? Just to demonstrate the importance of this number to God, think about the Israelites. Joseph inherited a double portion, named after his two sons. Instead of having 13 allotments, God decided to not give the Levites a share, so there would remain the number 12. 12 is the number of divine purpose, or God's purpose. Peter recognized the importance of this number.
You said Paul was called to be an Apostle by Jesus from Heaven. What? There is not one single scripture in the whole Bible that even hints at that. As a matter of fact, the Bible is very clear about where Jesus called Saul/Paul. On the road to Damascus. I don't know why, but I will include the scriptures. It hasn't worked yet.
9:4
Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
9:5
And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
9:6
So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
So, Jesus Himself called, and Saul answered that call. So, if Mattias was the twelfth Apostle, being chosen by men, why did Jesus have to call another? Now just in case you doubt the calling of Saul, let's look at another scripture.
9:10
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
9:11
So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
9:12
And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."
9:13
Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14
And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."
9:15
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
9:16
For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."
That seems to cover it pretty well. You there have Jesus calling him a chosen vessel.
Ella, I really thought you were messing with me again. I never even dreamed that you would not know all of this. This has been the teaching in every church I have ever been in, and I was raised in the church. I have one question for you about this. If Mattias was number 12, what did he do, and what happened to him? The Bible doesn't mention him again. Paul, on the other hand was mentioned throughout the New Testament.
