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AN APOSTLE



 

He identified himself in the opening line of his epistles. He was “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1) and “Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1–2). Peter was an apostle.

 

First, Peter was a disciple, chosen by Jesus.

 

Generically, the word disciple refers to the pupils or followers of a teacher or leader. John the Baptist had disciples (Mark 2:18; Luke 11:1; John 1:35) as did the Pharisees (Matthew 22:16). Even Moses had disciples (John 9:28).

 

All those who faithfully followed Jesus were referred to as disciples. In the Book of Acts, “the word of God spread, (and) the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number” (Acts 6:7). Today, the church is made up of disciples.

 

Peter was also an Apostle.

 

From His uncounted multitude of followers, Jesus chose twelve men to serve with Him as Apostles. “During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor” (Luke 6:12–16).  Jesus didn’t take His decision lightly. “He spent all night in prayer to God.”

 

The Bible records the name of the Apostles in four passages (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; and Acts 1:12-14). In each of the four lists, Peter is mentioned first, undoubtedly because he was viewed as a leader.

 

Technically, an apostle is an authorized agent, equipped and empowered to represent their leader. “Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5-8)

 

Their impact on history can’t be overstated. These twelve men, excluding Judas of course, changed the course of history as they carried on the ministry of the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Jesus. They carried His message east and west, north and south, planting the Gospel flag wherever the Spirit led them. We are forever indebted to their faithful ministry, a ministry that led to their martyrdom.

 

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).




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