Christ Commends Those
Servants Of His Who Test Apostles
Revelation 1:10-2:7 reads,
1:10I
was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of
a trumpet 1:11saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven
assemblies: to
2:1To the angel of the assembly in
"He who holds
the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven
golden lampstands says these things:
2:2"I know your works, and your toil and perseverance,
and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves
apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 2:3You have
perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 2:4But I have this
against you, that you left your first love. 2:5Remember therefore from where you
have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to
you, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. 2:6But this you have,
that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 2:7He who has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I
will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
Test ALL Apostles In Order
To Find Out Those Who Are True And Those Who Are False
The person in the midst of the seven golden lampstands and holding seven
stars in his right hand is Yah'shuah. He commends the assembly in
Seeing that Yah'shuah commended the assembly in
Why are there both true and false apostles? What are their respective roles?
Yah'shuah Chooses And
Commissions His Apostles
Matthew 10 reads,
10:1He
called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are
these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother;
James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 10:3Philip;
Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew, the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and
Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 10:4Simon
the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
10:5Jesus
sent these twelve out, and charged them, saying, "Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any
city of the Samaritans. 10:6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of
10:16"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 10:17But beware of men:
for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will
scourge you. 10:18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for
my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 10:19But when they
deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given
you in that hour what you will say. 10:20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father
who speaks in you.
10:21"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the
father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be
put to death. 10:22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who
endures to the end, the same will be saved. 10:23But when they persecute you in
this city, flee into the next, for most assuredly I tell you, you will not have
gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
10:24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant
above his lord. 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher,
and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 10:26Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing
covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 10:27What I tell you in
the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear,
proclaim on the housetops. 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able
to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in
Gehenna.
10:29"Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your
Father’s will, 10:30but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 10:31Therefore don’t be
afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 10:32Everyone therefore
who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in
heaven. 10:33But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before
my Father who is in heaven.
10:34"Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I
didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 10:35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a
daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 10:36A man’s foes will
be those of his own household. 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 10:38He who doesn’t
take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 10:39He who finds his
life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 10:40He who receives
you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 10:41He who receives a
prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward: and he who
receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a
righteous man’s reward. 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold
water to drink in the name of a disciple, most assuredly I tell you he will in
no way lose his reward."
10:1 and 10:8 show that apostles are those disciples whom Yah'shuah has given authority over unclean spirits (demons), to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness? 10:7 also shows that Yah'shuah has charged them with the job of preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. In other words they are also to preach the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Not All Apostles Remain
Faithful To Their Service
10:4 notes that one of the original twelve apostles eventually betrayed Yah'shuah. This shows that there is no guarantee that an apostle will remain at Yah'shuah's service indefinitely. An apostle may serve Yah'shuah for a period of time and later depart from following or serving Yah'shuah, and may even act against Yah'shuah, as was the case with Judas the betrayer.
Yah'shuah Chooses His
Apostles From Among His Disciples
Luke 6:12-19 reads,
6:12It
happened in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray, and he
continued all night in prayer to God. 6:13When
it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he
also named apostles: 6:14Simon,
whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip;
Bartholomew; 6:15Matthew; Thomas;
James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot; 6:16Judas the son of James; and Judas
Iscariot, who also became a traitor. 6:17He
came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples,
and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea
coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their
diseases; 6:18also those who were
troubled with unclean spirits, and they were being healed. 6:19All the multitude sought to touch him, for
power came out from him, and healed them all.
6:13 notes that the twelve apostles were chosen by Yah'shuah from among the entire number of disciples. This therefore shows that apostles are a subset of the entire number of Yah'shuah's disciples. And they must indeed be chosen in order to serve in this capacity.
Yah'shuah Gives His
Apostles Power And Authority At The Commencement Of Their Work
Luke 9:1-10 reads,
9:1He
called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons,
and to cure diseases. 9:2He sent
them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 9:3He said to them, "Take
nothing for your journey — neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money;
neither have two coats apiece. 9:4Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from
there. 9:5As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city,
shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."
9:6They
departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing
everywhere. 9:7Now Herod
the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed,
because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 9:8and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by
others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9:9Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who
is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see him. 9:10The apostles, when they had returned, told
him what things they had done.
It is evident that the apostles didn't begin their apostolic work prior to having been given power and authority to so conduct that work. And once given this power and authority they indeed preached the gospel - the good news of the kingdom of the Mighty One - and healed the sick.
Some Apostles Were To Be
Killed And Persecuted
Luke 11:45-52 reads,
11:45One
of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you insult us
also."
11:46He
said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men
with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift
one finger to help carry those burdens. 11:47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them. 11:48So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For
they killed them, and you build their tombs. 11:49Therefore also the
wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of
them they will kill and persecute, 11:50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the
foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 11:51from the blood of
Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the
sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 11:52Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge.
You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you
hindered."
11:49 shows that some, though not all, of the prophets and apostles that Yahweh was to send to the generation of Yah'shuah's time were to be killed and persecuted for the purpose of the blood of all righteous prophets being required of that generation.
The Original Apostles Asked
Yah'shuah To Increase Their Faith
Luke 17:5-10 reads,
17:5The
apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
17:6The
Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of
mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted
in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 17:7But who is there of you, having a servant plowing or keeping
sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and
sit down at the table,’ 17:8and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe
yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat
and drink?’ 17:9Does he thank that servant because he did the things that
were commanded? I think not. 17:10Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are
commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’"
Yah'shuah Spent Time With
His Original Apostles
Luke 22:14-23 reads,
22:14When
the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. 22:15He said to them, "I
have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 22:16for I tell you, I
will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of
God." 22:17He received a
cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take
this, and share it among yourselves, 22:18for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit
of the vine, until the kingdom of God comes."
22:19He
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them,
saying, "This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in memory of me." 22:20He
took the cup in like manner after supper, saying, "This
cup is the new covenant in my blood, that which is poured out for you. 22:21But behold, the
hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22:22The Son of Man
indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is
betrayed!"
22:23They
began to question among themselves, which of them it was that would do this
thing.
The Conduct Of The Original
Apostles After Yah'shuah's Resurrection
Acts 1 reads,
1:1The
first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and
to teach, 1:2until the day in which
he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen. 1:3To
these he also showed himself alive after his suffering by many proofs,
appearing to them over a period of forty days, and spoke about God’s kingdom. 1:4Being assembled together with them, he
charged them, "Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 1:5For John indeed
baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days
from now."
1:6Therefore,
when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring
the kingdom to Israel?"
1:7He
said to them, "It isn’t for you to know times or
seasons which the Father has set within His own authority. 1:8But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you. You will be witnesses to me
in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the
earth."
1:9When
he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud
received him out of their sight. 1:10While
they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by
them in white clothing, 1:11who also
said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This
Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way
as you saw him going into the sky."
1:12Then
they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near
Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 1:13When
they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying;
that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James
the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 1:14All these with one accord continued
steadfastly in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brothers.
1:15In
these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and the number of names
was about one hundred twenty), and said, 1:16"Brothers,
it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit
spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who
took Jesus. 1:17For he was numbered
with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 1:18Now this man obtained a field with the
reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all
his intestines gushed out. 1:19It
became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that
field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ 1:20For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his habitation be made desolate,
Let no one dwell therein,’
and,
‘Let another take his office.’
1:21Of
the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went
in and went out among us, 1:22beginning
from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these
one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
1:23They
put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and
Matthias. 1:24They prayed, and said,
"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two
you have chosen 1:25to take part in
this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to
his own place." 1:26They drew
lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the
eleven apostles.
The Original Apostles Were
Entrusted As Witnesses Of Yah'shuah's Ministry And Resurrection
It should be noted that an additional work of the original apostles was that of being witnesses of Yah'shuah's resurrection and also of his ministry. Therefore the person taking over Judas' office had to have been one of the disciples present from the time of commencement of Yah'shuah's ministry.
There Is No Guarantee That
An Apostle Will Remain Faithful To His Ministry
Seeing that Judas fell away from his ministry and apostleship it should indeed be noted that it is possible for an apostle to fall away from his ministry and apostleship. There is no guarantee that someone once chosen as an apostle will indeed remain in that office.
Those Chosen For Yahweh's
Service Should Have Upright Hearts
It should also be noted that a fundamental consideration matter in selection for office is the condition of one's heart. Those chosen for service to Yahweh, especially in high office, should be those whose hearts are right before Yahweh.
The Teaching Of The
Original Apostles
Acts 2:37-47 reads,
2:37Now
when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the
rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
2:38Peter
said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 2:39For to you is the
promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the
Lord our God will call to himself." 2:40With
many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves
from this crooked generation!"
2:41Then
those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day
about three thousand souls. 2:42They
continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking
of bread, and prayer. 2:43Fear
came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles. 2:44All who believed
were together, and had all things common. 2:45They
sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as
anyone had need. 2:46Day by day,
continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at
home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 2:47praising God, and having favor with all the
people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
What was the apostles' teaching that is referred to in 2:42?
The message that the apostles' preached included repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit. What other teachings did the apostles impart to those they taught?
The Apostles Were
Instruments Through Which Signs And Wonders Were Performed
The apostles also fulfilled the other aspect of their apostolic commission - healing the sick and casting out demons. For many wonders and signs were done through them, as 2:43 shows. This clearly shows that it was not the apostles as human beings who performed these signs and wonders, but that they were the instruments through which Yahweh performed these signs and wonders by his Holy Spirit.
The Apostles Were Trustees
Of Property Intended For Charitable Uses
Acts 4:31-5:16 reads,
4:31When
they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They
were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
4:32The multitude of those who
believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of
the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. 4:33With great power, the apostles gave their
testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 4:34For neither was there among them any who
lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought
the prices of the things that were sold, 4:35and
laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according
as anyone had need. 4:36Joses,
who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of
Exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 4:37having
a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5:1But
a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, 5:2and kept back part of the price, his wife
also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the
apostles’ feet. 5:3But Peter said,
"Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and
to keep back part of the price of the land? 5:4While
you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your
power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t
lied to men, but to God."
5:5Ananias,
hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who
heard these things. 5:6The young men
arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. 5:7About three hours later, his wife, not
knowing what had happened, came in. 5:8Peter
answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much."
She said, "Yes, for so much."
5:9But
Peter asked her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the
Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are
at the door, and they will carry you out."
5:10She
fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in
and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 5:11Great fear came on the whole assembly, and
on all who heard these things. 5:12By
the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.
They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 5:13None
of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. 5:14More believers were added to the Lord,
multitudes of both men and women. 5:15They
even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and
mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow
some of them. 5:16Multitudes also
came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those
who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.
Charitable Giving Should Be
Done Honestly
It is evident that an additional teaching of the apostles was that of selling possessions and bringing the proceeds of those sold possessions to the apostles for onward distribution to the needy among believers. It should be stressed that this was a voluntary matter, without any force or pressure coming from the apostles. For in his words to Ananias Peter made clear that Ananias was not compelled to sell his possessions and bring those proceeds to the apostles. Nevertheless, if he chose to do so, then he had to be honest in the manner he went about doing it. For when one lies to the Holy Spirit one commits a sin worthy of death, even as Ananias and his wife Sapphira lost their lives in this world for lying to the Holy Spirit.
Apostles Have A Duty To
Obey The Mighty One Rather Than Men
Acts 5:17-42 reads,
5:17But
the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of
the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 5:18and laid hands on the apostles, and put
them in public custody. 5:19But
an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out,
and said, 5:20"Go stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
5:21When
they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught.
But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison
to have them brought. 5:22But the
officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 5:23"We found the prison shut and locked,
and the guards standing before the doors, but when we had opened it up, we
found no one inside!"
5:24Now
when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard
these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.
5:25One came and told them,
"Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and
teaching the people." 5:26Then
the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they
were afraid that the people might stone them.
5:27When
they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest
questioned them, 5:28saying, "Didn’t
we strictly charge you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us."
5:29But
Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 5:30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 5:31God
exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance
to Israel, and remission of sins. 5:32We
are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has
given to those who obey him."
5:33But
they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them.
5:34But one stood up in the council,
a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and
commanded to take the apostles out a little while. 5:35He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful
concerning these men, what you are about to do. 5:36For
before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a
number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all,
as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 5:37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in
the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also
perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 5:38Now I tell you, refrain from these men, and
leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be
overthrown. 5:39But if it is of God,
you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be
fighting against God!"
5:40They
agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to
speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41They
therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
5:42Every
day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching
Jesus, the Christ.
5:29 shows that apostles have a duty to obey the Mighty One rather than obey men. Therefore when men give them contrary instructions they must disregard those contrary instructions and obey the Mighty One, even when it means that they endure suffering at the hands of men.
Apostles Are Responsible
For All Activities Done Among Yah'shuah's Disciples
Acts 6:1-7 reads,
6:1Now
in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
grumbling of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were
neglected in the daily service. 6:2The
twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not
appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 6:3Therefore select from among you, brothers,
seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business. 6:4But
we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."
6:5These
words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and
of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus,
a proselyte of Antioch; 6:6whom
they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on
them. 6:7The word of God
increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly.
A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Apostles Should Personally
Involve Themselves With Prayer And The Ministry Of The Word
Apostles should have their priorities right - continuing steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word, rather than various physical duties involved with serving the brethren. Other brethren should undertake these physical duties.
Apostles Should Appoint
Other Disciples To Undertake Various Duties Among Yah'shuah's Disciples
Those undertaking lesser but necessary duties than those of the apostles should be brought before the apostles that the apostles pray over them and lay hands on them, prior to their commencing those lesser but necessary duties. Apostles therefore have a responsibility to pray for and lay hands on those inducted into various service offices among the brethren.
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