The Apostles, and the Gospel They Preached
By Ty Robinson 12/4/2020 (Scott’s Class)
I have had some question asked of me lately, which made me realize that we are not all on the same page. And many have come in to this meeting since we covered these points in the past. So we are going to review some doctrinal points that may be new to some, or will refresh all of our memories. We will cover several general themes, and the purpose of all of this is to inspire each of us to dig a little deeper into our Bibles, which is the Word of God, who is Jesus, for this is how He really speaks to us.
So let’s start with some general questions. How many Apostles were there? How many Kingdom Apostles are mentioned in scripture? How many Church Apostles are found in scripture? What’s the difference between a Kingdom Apostle, and a Church Apostle? Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were Apostles? Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, how many wrote more than one book of the New Testament? Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were followers of Paul? Was Stephen an Apostle? Was Philip the Evangelist an Apostle? Was Judas Iscariot called an Apostle? Which of the Apostle’s preached about the Kingdom of God? Which of the Apostles preached about the Kingdom of heaven?
Which of the Apostles preached about the Gospel of the Glory? This will get us started, and lead into further discussion.
Here are the quick answers, and we will follow up shortly with a more detailed explaination:
(1) How many Apostles were there?
I come up with twenty-two -- (LIGHT).
(2) How many Kingdom Apostles are mentioned in scripture?
Fourteen -- (DELIVERANCE or SALVATION).
(3) How many Church Apostles are found in scripture?
Eight – (NEW CREATION; NEW BIRTH; NEW BEGINNING; RESURRECTION; BRIDE). The Church Apostles taught Paul’s gospel message, which they learned either from Paul himself, or from those who taught Paul’s gospel message; ie. Aquila and Priscilla taught Apollos Paul’s gospel message.
(4) What’s the difference between a Kingdom Apostle, and a Church Apostle?
Simply put the Church Apostles expounded upon the high calling of God, the bridal message, which Paul taught. The Kingdom Apostles were not given this message.
(5) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were Apostles?
Matthew and John.
(6) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, how many wrote more than one book of the New Testament?
Matthew wrote one, Mark wrote one, Luke wrote two, and John wrote five.
(6) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were followers of Paul?
Mark and Luke.
(7) Was Stephen an Apostle?
No.
(8) Was Philip the Evangelist an Apostle?
No.
(9) Was Judas Iscariot called an Apostle?
Yes.
(10) Which of the Apostle’s preached about the Kingdom of God?
They all did.
(11) Which of the Apostles preached about the Kingdom of heaven?
In essence they all did, but Matthew is the only one to use the term “kingdom of heaven,” and he wrote it thirty-three times (PROMISE)!
(12) Which of the Apostles preached about the Gospel of the Glory?
Simply put, you can’t teach that which you weren’t first taught. The Kingdom Apostles were not taught about the Gospel of the Glory, but the Apostle Paul was taught this his gospel message by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and Paul taught it to those who became the Church Apostles. It was the Apostle Paul, and the other Church Apostles that preached about the Gospel of the Glory. The Church Apostles were sent to us of this Church Age. We are to follow the Apostle Paul as he followed Christ, who showed Paul how to win Christ as Bridegroom! The Kingdom Apostles were called His friends in JOHN 15:13-15. Our chief Church Apostle, the Apostle Paul, wrote to us how to be joint-heirs with Christ in ROMANS 8:17. As our Pastor pointed out recently, there is a big difference in a friend, and a joint-heir.
I mentioned that there were twenty-two Apostles, so let’s look at some scriptures, starting with HEBREWS 3:1. HEBREWS 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Here we find Christ Jesus called “the Apostle and High Priest.” Obviously He is first on the list of our twenty-two Apostles. Let’s read some scriptures that inform us on the gospel message that Jesus Himself preached. MATTHEW 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. MATTHEW 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. MARK 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. LUKE 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.
We just read that the twelve were with Jesus. Let’s read two portions of scripture to see who these twelve were. MATTHEW 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. LUKE 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Next let’s read LUKE 9:1 &2. LUKE 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Note that these twelve Apostles, whom we will call Kingdom Apostles, the disciples of Jesus, whom He called Apostles, were sent into the house of Israel to preach the Kingdom of God. So we see then that these twelve Kingdom Apostles preached the Kingdom of God. We said that there were fourteen Kingdom Apostles, yet we only find twelve mentioned here. Don’t forget to count Christ Jesus ...the Apostle and High Priest of our profession,... which Paul wrote about in HEBREWS 3:1. JESUS WAS A KINGDOM APOSTLE! The twelve plus Jesus makes thirteen Kingdom Apostles. We find our fourteenth Kingdom Apostle in ACTS 1.
ACTS 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. So we find that Matthias was the fourteenth of the Kingdom Apostles.
Next we need to discuss the Church Apostles of which there are eight. To properly understand what we are about to say one must know the difference between the Church Age, and the Kingdom Age. On the Living Waters Tabernacle church website are two tracts that explain the difference between the church age, and the kingdom age. One tract written by Joe Rogers is entitled The Church Age and The Kingdom Age. The other tract was written by Bother Copley, and originally it was found at the end of the study book of ACTS, but now is found as a stand alone tract, and is called The Gospel of the Kingdom, which explains the differences between The Gospel of the Kingdom, which Jesus and the twelve Apostles preached, and The Gospel of the Glory, which the Church Apostles taught. Both of these tracts are excellent.
So to make it simple, we are still living in the Church Age, also called the Age of Grace.
The Church Age really began on the day of Pentecost. The Church Age is what some have termed parenthetical in that it falls between the Age of the Law, and the Kingdom Age, also known as the Millennium. The Church Age will end when the events of 1 THESSALONIANS 4:15 take place. Let’s read starting in 1 THESSALONIANS 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. When the Church Age ends at the coming of the Lord, then seven years of Tribulation begins, followed by the Kingdom Age. That’s the Cliff notes version.
Now Brother Hill used to explain it by reading the following verses from ACTS 15, which occurred at the conference that was held in Jerusalem to address the question if the Gentiles were to follow the law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas were in attendance at this conference, and the Pastor of the church in Jerusalem, James got up and said the following:
ACTS 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. “A people for His name” can most simply be defined as Christians, however out of this “people for His name” comes also a rib portion of people who will be called “Mrs. Jesus,” “The Bride of Christ,” “The Lamb’s wife.” In REVELATION 19:7 we read: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. The whole church is not the Lamb’s wife.
Now back to the Church Apostles. An Apostle by definition is one sent forth with orders, and on the road to Damascus, our Apostle Paul was sent forth with orders from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. These orders are found in ACTS 26:17, but we will read this whole sentence starting in ACTS 26:16. And remember here that this is the Lord Jesus Christ speaking unto Saul of Tarsus, our Apostle Paul. ACTS 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. We read in ROMANS 11:13 this statement that should be highlighted in your Bible: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office. The Apostle Paul becomes the first Church Apostle, and to him was given dispensation to preach of the grace of God, and the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, the heavenly calling, the holy calling, and that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs {sugkleronomos 4789} with Christ.
Let’s read about some of the gospel message Paul was to preach. EPHESIANS 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, {sugkleronomos 4789} and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Apostle Paul taught his gospel message, which he first was taught by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and Paul taught it to those who became the Church Apostles. It was the Apostle Paul, and the other Church Apostles that preached about the Gospel of the Glory. The Church Apostles were sent to us of this Church Age. We are to follow the Apostle Paul as he followed Christ, who showed Paul how to win Christ as Bridegroom! (See The Church Apostles handout.)
One more thing before we run out of time. Question 10 asked, which of the Apostles preached about the Kingdom of God? And the answer was they all did. Let me give a quick explanation about that answer. We find the phrase “the kingdom of God” seventy times (RULERSHIP) in scripture. Luke wrote forty of these “the kingdom of God” statements, (thirty three in LUKE, seven in ACTS), and the Apostle Paul wrote eight of them! In ACTS 14:22 we find the Church Apostles Paul, and Barnabas returning from their missionary journey, and we read that they were ...Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Paul later expounds upon this doctrine in his epistles, and once such place is ROMANS 8. ROMANS 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. We see then ....that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.... is heavenly teaching, and even points to the opportunity we all have to be a joint-heir with Christ in “the kingdom of God.”
ROMANS 8:17 also explains degrees of heir-ship. ROMANS 8:17 And if children, then heirs {kleronomos (2818)}; heirs {kleronomos (2818)} of God, and joint-heirs {sugkleronomos 4789} with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. We see here that there are heirs, and that there are joint-heirs with Christ. A joint-heir is a fellow heir, a heir together, a heir with, or a joint participant with some other heir or heirs. In this case we are discussing joint-heirship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. HEBREWS 1:1 & 2 tells us that Jesus Christ has been appointed heir of all things by God. HEBREWS 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir {kleronomos (2818)} of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. As spoken of here “heir of all things” doesn’t leave out anything that is God’s. In other words a ...joint-heir with Christ... will be someone who shares with Christ Jesus His heirship of all things appointed to Him by God, which doesn’t leave out anything that is God’s. This someone who shares with Christ Jesus His heirship of all things appointed to Him by God, called here in ROMANS 8:17 a ...joint-heir with Christ,... will actually be an elite group of sugkleronomos Saints collectively known as the Bride of Christ, the full overcomers. This makes sense once you realize that husbands and wives in normal healthy marriages share equally ownership of all their things. Since Jesus Christ has been ...appointed heir of all things... His Bride will be joint-heir of all things. The Kingdom Apostle didn’t teach this doctrine, but the Church Apostles did.
HEBREWS 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. The word “calling” here is klesis {klay'-sis}, number 2821 in The Strong’s Greek Concordance, used ten times by the Apostle Paul.
Note Paul’s context in the following verses.
EPHESIANS 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
EPHESIANS 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of yourcalling;
PHILIPPIANS 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
2 TIMOTHY 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
HEBREWS 3:1 is the only place in scripture where we find the phrase “heavenly calling.”
Questions:
(1) How many Apostles were there?
(2) How many Kingdom Apostles are mentioned in scripture?
(3) How many Church Apostles are found in scripture?
(4) What’s the difference between a Kingdom Apostle, and a Church Apostle?
(5) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were Apostles?
(6) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, how many wrote more than one
book of the New Testament?
(6) Of these four, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were followers of Paul?
(7) Was Stephen an Apostle?
(8) Was Philip the Evangelist an Apostle?
(9) Was Judas Iscariot called an Apostle?
(10) Which of the Apostle’s preached about the Kingdom of God?
(11) Which of the Apostles preached about the Kingdom of heaven?
(12) Which of the Apostles preached about the Gospel of the Glory?
The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb
1 -- Peter, Simon (son of Jona), Cephas {JOHN 1:42 and MATTHEW 10:2}.
2 -- James, (son of Zebedee, and brother of John). {MATTHEW 4:21 and MARK 1:19}.
3 -- John, (son of Zebedee, and brother of James). {MATTHEW 4:21 and MARK 1:19}.
4 -- Andrew, (brother of Peter). {MATTHEW 4:18; 10:2; JOHN 6:8 plus other scriptures.}
5 -- Philip {MATTHEW 10:3; MARK 3:18; LUKE 6:14; JOHN 1:43-48; ACTS 1:13}.
6 -- Thomas, (called Didymus) {JOHN 11:16; 20:24; and 21:2.}
7 -- Bartholomew (called Nathanael in the book of JOHN) {JOHN 1:45-49 and 21:2}.
8 -- Matthew (also called Levi) {compare MARK 2:14 and MATTHEW 9:9} (also the son of a guy named Alphaeus MARK 2:14).
9 -- James [the son] of Alphaeus. (scripture doesn't say he was a brother to MATTHEW) {MATTHEW 10:3; MARK 3:18; LUKE 6:15; and ACTS 1:13}.
10 -- Simon Zelotes. {LUKE 6:15 and ACTS 1:13}.
11-- Judas [the brother] of James, (also known as Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus) {MATTHEW 10:3} (possibly also known as Jude) {JUDE 1:1}.
12 -- Matthias the man chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. {ACTS 1:15-26}.
The Church Apostles
1 - Paul ROMANS 11:13; ROMANS 1:1; 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1; GALATIANS 1:1; EPHESIANS 1:1; COLOSSIANS 1:1; 1 & 2 TIMOTHY 1:1; 2 TIMOTHY 1:11; TITUS 1:1; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:5; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:11; plus many other scriptures.
2 - Barnabas ACTS 14:14 and 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-6.
3 - Silas (Silvanus) 1 THESSALONIANS 2:6 then 1:1.
4 - Timothy (Timotheus) 1 THESSALONIANS 2:6 then 1:1.
5 - Apollos 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-12 then 3:1-6 and 4:1, 6 & 9.
6 - Erastus 2 CORINTHIANS 8:23 with ACTS 19:22. (See definition of messenger below).
7- Titus 2 CORINTHIANS 8:16-23 plus TITUS 1:5 & 6, (along with the definition of messenger below).
8 - Epaphroditus PHILIPPIANS 2:25. (See definition of messenger below).
Messenger -- comes from the Greek word apostolos {ap-os'-tol-os} translated 78 times in the New Testament apostle. The word messenger also refers to a delegate, a messenger, or one sent forth with orders, such as Paul in ACTS 26:17 and Timothy and Erastus in ACTS 19:22. (See note below).
Brother Copley notes that "the word "apostle" is from "apo," meaning "away," and from "stello," which means "to set in order, or arrange, to furnish, equip, get ready." Hence, "apostello," or apostle, literally means to arrange for, to furnish and send away on service." Certainly ACTS 19:22 fits this definition: So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus.
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Sermon Topics: The Apostles