The Twelve Apostles

by Heath Rogers

Jesus had many disciples or followers. From these He chose twelve men to be His apostles (Luke 6:12-16). The word apostle is from the Greek word apostolos which means “to send.” Simply put, an apostle is one who is sent on a mission. He is like an ambassador in that he possesses the authority of the one who sent him.

The qualifications of an apostle of Jesus Christ are set forth in Acts 1:21-22. These men had to have seen the Lord during His ministry and had to be eyewitnesses of His resurrection. The 12 apostles had a specific task. They were to bear witness of the Lord’s resurrection and unlock the doors of His kingdom to all of mankind. No one alive today is qualified to be an apostle of Jesus.

Jesus called these men from their vocations and their families to follow Him (Matt. 4:18-22; 9:9). He spent 3 years of in-depth training preparing these men for their work.

These men got to know Jesus better than anyone else. They repeatedly heard His teachings and observed His personal example in all situations. Because of this, only the apostles could make incredible claims about knowing Jesus (1 John 1:1-2).

The apostles were students. They were privileged to have a front row seat to the greatest teacher the world has ever known. While others heard Jesus and went home, these men got to ask Him questions, and receive explanations and further instructions.

The 12 apostles were carefully chosen by the Lord (Luke 6:12-13). They had different personalities and many weaknesses. They were narrowminded and superstitious. They were full of Jewish prejudices, misconceptions, and animosities. They were slow learners. However, they all had one good thing in common – they were teachable.

Not only did these 12 men learn by watching Jesus, but they were also specifically trained and prepared to be sent on their Great Commission. Part of this preparation was their Limited Commission (Matt. 10:5-15). They were to preach the gospel and perform miracles, depending on support from those who appreciated their work.

Jesus also made time to be alone with the 12 to address them privately as they progressed with their training (Matt. 16:13-20). He asked them who men said He was (vv. 13-14). This led to the more important follow-up question, “Who do you say that I am?” (v. 15). Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16).

This important truth confessed by Peter was revealed to the apostle by God through what they had observed while being with Jesus. The Lord’s church is built on Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. The apostles would be given keys to the kingdom of heaven (the church). A key represents authority to open a

door. These men would be privileged to preach the gospel to the world, granting entrance into the Lord’s kingdom. They would also reveal the doctrines that govern the kingdom (church). After the church was established, Luke said the members “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).

The 12 were not making up rules on their own. Through their preaching and apostolic oversight, they were implementing that which had already been decreed in heaven.

These men would later receive a baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to do their work and fulfill their mission (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, teach them all things, and bring to their remembrance all things Jesus had taught them (John 14:26; 16:13). However, this must not take away from the training the 12 received from Jesus while they were with Him. He had a special relationship with these men, and we benefit greatly from the work He did training them.

Breaking the Covenant

By Jeff Curtis

Exodus 19 tells about the making of the covenant. In Exodus 20-23 we find the good laws that were part of this covenant. Exodus 24 describes the ceremony to confirm the covenant. Then Moses went up on Mount Sinai for forty days to receive the Law (Exodus 24:18). All was well for Israel. Next, in Exodus 32, we read about the breaking of the covenant.

The Church today has the same relationship with God that Israel had. They were His covenant people then, and we are today. Just as they broke the covenant, we can also break the covenant today. Therefore, we can learn from Israel’s mistakes.

What was their Sin? Idolatry – the substitution of another god for the Lord God. Idolatry is basic to so many, if not most, of our sins today: we put someone or something else before God. That is idolatry.

What were the Causes of Israel’s Sin? [1] Impatience (Exod. 32:1). The Israelites had spent four hundred years in Egypt, but they couldn’t wait forty days for the Law. [2] A desire for a god they could see (32:4). God is a spirit (John 4:24) and cannot be seen with human eyes. We are to walk by faith and not by sight; but from Moses’ time to this, people have wanted a visible god or at least physical evidence that God is alive and well. [3] Failure to remember and appreciate what God has done for them (32:9). The Israelites were stubborn and inclined to forget what God had done for them; their forgetfulness and ingratitude led them into sin. [4] Lust (32:6,19). The lustful activities that were almost certainly a part of this occasion go with a false view of God (32:23-24)). To reject the true God is to invite people to become ever more sinful. [5] Poor leadership (32:25). Aaron was in part responsible for their sin.

What were the immediate effects of their sin? [1] God’s initial reaction was an inclination was to destroy them (32:9-10). [2] Moses’ initial reaction was that of a good leader; he interceded on their behalf and showed he cared more for them than he did for himself (32:11-13). [3] God’s second reaction is found in verse 14: “The Lord repented of the evil…” (KJV). What does this expression mean? God changed His mind. He didn’t change His mind about their wrong doing, and He didn’t decide not to punish them at all. Instead, He changed His mind and didn’t cast them off all together, in spite of His right to do so. [4] Moses’ second reaction was to break the “two tablets of the testimony,” He became angry. He burned the calf, threw its ashes into the water and made the people drink it (32:15-20). [5] Aaron’s reaction was to blame the making of the calf on the people and on some miraculous act by which the calf formed itself (32:21-24). [6] The Levites’ reaction was to rally to Moses and then go throughout the camp, slaying leaders of the rebellion (32:26-28). [7] Moses’ third reaction was to bless the Levites, confess the Israelites sin, and ask the Lord to forgive the people (32:29-32). [8] God’s third reaction was to announce that He would punish only those who were guilty. After that, He sent a plague upon the people (32:33-35)

What should this episode teach us? Sin – or the breaking of the covenant – is not a light matter. Sin usually has the effects that last beyond the moment. Later in Israel’s history, Jeroboam’s calves led to the destruction of the northern kingdom. Sin also affects others, not just ourselves. What sin is so private that it would not somehow affect someone else negatively? Sin noticed and punished by God Himself. (32:33). God holds us responsible for our own sins, not for the sins of others; and He doesn’t hold others guilty for our sins. Sin has drastic consequences – even death.

The message for us today is; other gods always tempt us. The world invites, entices, urges, begs, and pleads with us to serve other gods. But, if we break our covenant with the Lord, we can expect punishment. There is always a price to pay for sin. But there is always a way back. God can forgive the prodigal, and will forgive us.