Apostles and Prophets Introduction
Ephesians 4:1-16 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:17-32 (KJV)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Apostles and Prophets line up with the Chief Cornerstone Yeshua-
Job 38:6 (NKJV)
6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,
Psalm 118:22 (NKJV)
22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
Isaiah 28:16 (NKJV)
16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Zechariah 10:4 (NKJV)
4 From him comes the cornerstone, From him the tent peg, From him the battle bow, From him every ruler together.
Matthew 21:42 (NKJV)
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
Mark 12:10 (NKJV)
10 Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
Luke 20:17 (NKJV)
17 Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone'?
Acts 4:11 (NKJV)
11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'
1 Peter 2:6 (NKJV)
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
1 Peter 2:7 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
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Character of Holiness: Ephesians 4:1-16 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Impart by the Spirit: 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Recognizing and building the kingdom:
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Teach sound doctrine with the evidence of fruit of Holy Spirit in love through the building of the body:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Demonstration of signs and wonders by the Holy Spirit
Apostles
Apostle in Scripture
APOSTLES Persons sent to accomplish a mission, especially the twelve apostles Jesus commissioned to follow Him. An apostle represents the one sending and has authority to represent the sender in business, political, or educational situations.
In the Gospels Matthew used the term “apostles” only at Matthew 10:2, introducing the list of twelve apostles. Otherwise, he wrote only of the “twelve” (11:1; 20:17; 26:14,20,47; compare 19:28). Mark used “apostles” only once (6:30) as they returned from their mission trip (6:7-11). He, too, referred more often to the twelve (3:14; 4:10; 6:7; 9:35; 10:32; 11:11; 14:10,17,20,43). Apostles appears only once in John in the general statement “he that is sent (Greek, apostolos) (is not) greater than he that sent him” (13:16).
Luke is the Gospel of the apostles, especially when read in light of its continuation in Acts. Compare Luke 6:13; 9:10; 11:49. The apostles asked Jesus for increased faith (17:5) and participated with Him in the final Passover and the first Lord’s Supper (22:14). Finally, the women had to tell the news of the resurrection to the apostles (24:10).
Thus in the Four Gospels, the word “apostle” does not play a strong role. The Twelve is the preferred term (Luke 6:13; 8:1; 9:1,12; 18:31; 22:3,14,47; compare 22:30).
In Acts “Apostles” is an important concept in Acts. Jesus chose the apostles through the Holy Spirit and instructed them concerning their missionary mission which the Holy Spirit would empower them to carry out (1:2-8). They had a forty-day instruction period with the risen Lord before the ascension, but still they could not know “the times or seasons” of the full restoration of the kingdom (1:3-7). They were eyewitnesses of the ascension (1:9) and heard the angelic promise of His future return (1:11). They understood the betrayal by Judas as fulfillment of Scripture (1:16) and felt the need to replace him to keep their number at twelve. Qualifications for an apostle were clear: participation in Jesus’ earthly ministry beginning with His baptism and a witness of the resurrection (1:21-22). At Pentecost people asked the apostles’ leadership in how to respond to Peter’s sermon (2:37). New converts remained in “the apostles’ teaching” (2:42 NIV, NAS, NRSV). The apostles did signs and wonders 2:43; 5:12; compare Mark 6:7-13). They both preached the gospel (4:33) and directed social ministry to the poor (4:35). Even time in jail did not keep them from preaching the gospel (5:18,29). Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin, managed to gain freedom for the apostles, but they still suffered a beating (5:33-40). The apostle reacted with rejoicing at the opportunity to suffer for Christ (5:41) and continued to preach (5:42).
Holman Bible Dictionary.
Summary The New Testament has taken a common Greek word from naval and commercial language and made it a technical term for a messenger Jesus sent on a mission and more specifically for the twelve whom Jesus selected to follow Him from His baptism onward. To them He gave the special commission to lead the church into worldwide mission. They functioned as leaders of the church in the early chapters of Acts mainly from a base in the church at Jerusalem. The number twelve in some way identified them as continuing God’s work through the twelve tribes of Israel. They had the spiritual gift of functioning as an apostle in giving leadership to the church and training others for ministry. They maintained and transmitted the teachings of Jesus to the early church. Having fulfilled their mission of leading the church’s missionary activity and preserving the teachings of Christ, the twelve apostles passed from the scene. They did not occupy an office which they could hand on to others or which the church had the power to fill. Interesting to note is that Paul apparently argued with representatives of the Jerusalem church who claimed apostolic authority for themselves and that Paul had to defend his right to be an apostle. Paul also pointed to others outside the twelve and himself as apostles. Thus the term, at least for Paul and apparently for others, had both the narrower meaning of the twelve and a wider meaning. Otherwise, Paul could not have been included
Holman Bible Dictionary.
Romans 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Romans 11:13 (NKJV)
13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
1 Corinthians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1 Corinthians 9:1 (NKJV)
1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 9:2 (NKJV)
2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:9 (NKJV)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
2 Corinthians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NKJV)
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Galatians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Ephesians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1 Timothy 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
1 Timothy 2:7 (NKJV)
7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
2 Timothy 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 Timothy 1:11 (NKJV)
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Titus 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Peter 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Prophets
PROPHECY, PROPHETS Reception and declaration of a word from the Lord through a direct prompting of the Holy Spirit and the human instrument thereof.
Holman Bible Dictionary.
New Testament The word prophetes means “to speak before” or “to speak for.” Thus it refers to one who speaks for God or Christ. Prophets were also called pneumatics (pneumatikos), “spiritual ones” (1 Cor. 14:37). The prophets played a foundational role in the early church (1 Cor. 12:28-31; Eph. 4:11; 2:20). Due to the presumed prophetic silence in the time between the Testaments, the coming of Jesus is seen as an inbreaking of the Spirit’s work especially visible in prophecy. For example, in Luke the angel’s visitation and prediction (1:11,26-27) provoked Mary and Zecharias to prophesy (1:46-67, 67-79). After an angelic visitation to the shepherds, the prophet and prophetess declared Jesus to be the redemption Israel awaited (2:10-12,25,36-38). John the Baptist also predicted that Jesus would baptize in the Spirit (Matt. 3:11).
Jesus called Himself a prophet (Luke 13:33). His miracles and discernment were rightly understood as prophetic (John 4:19). He taught not by citing expert rabbis, but with His own prophetic authority (Mark 1:22; Luke 4:24).
The early believers saw the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:17) as a fulfillment of Joel’s prediction that all God’s people, young and old, male and female, would prophesy. These gifts may intensify at the end of time as will evil. While any Christian might occasionally receive a prophecy, some seem to have a special gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:29; 13:2). Prophets function primarily in the worship of the church (Acts 13:2). They predict (Acts 11:28; 20:23; 27:22-26), announce judgments (Acts 13:11; 28:25-28), act symbolically (Acts 21:10-11), and receive visions (Acts 9:10-11; 2 Cor. 12:1). Prophetic insights led to missionary efforts (Acts 13:1-3; 10:10-17; 15:28,32). While teaching and prophecy are different, they also can be related (Acts 13:1-2; Rev. 2:20). Some prophets “preached” lengthy messages (Acts 15:32) and gave exposition to biblical texts (Luke 1:67-79; Eph. 3:5; Rom. 11:25-36).
The prophets used phrases such as “the Lord says” or “the Holy Spirit says” as introductory formulas for prophetic insight into the future (Acts 21:11), or for inspired adaptation of an Old Testament text (Heb. 3:7).
New Testament prophecy was limited (1 Cor. 13:9); it was to be evaluated by the congregation (1 Cor. 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:20-21). One may even respond inappropriately to prophecy (Acts 21:12). The supreme test for prophecy is loyalty to Christ (1 Cor. 12:3; Rev. 19:10). Some Christians have the gift of discernment (1 Cor. 12:10). Jesus said prophets could be known by their fruit (Matt. 7:15-20). Paul demanded orderly, Christ-honoring, upbuilding prophecy which submits to apostolic authority (1 Cor. 14:26-40). Thus prophecy is not without restraint. Circumstance may even demand that the dress of men and women prophets be stipulated (1 Cor. 11:5-7). Prophecy outside of apostolic authority can be safely ignored; thus prophecy is not a threat to Scripture’s special authority (1 Cor. 14:38-39; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
Randy Hatchett
Holman Bible Dictionary.
Matthew 1:22 (NKJV)
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
Matthew 2:5 (NKJV)
5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
Matthew 2:15 (NKJV)
15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Matthew 2:17 (NKJV)
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
Matthew 3:3 (NKJV)
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "
Matthew 4:14 (NKJV)
14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Matthew 8:17 (NKJV)
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."
Matthew 10:41 (NKJV)
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Matthew 11:9 (NKJV)
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Matthew 12:17 (NKJV)
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Matthew 12:39 (NKJV)
39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Matthew 13:35 (NKJV)
35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 13:57 (NKJV)
57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."
Matthew 14:5 (NKJV)
5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 21:11 (NKJV)
11 So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."
Matthew 21:26 (NKJV)
26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."
Matthew 21:46 (NKJV)
46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
Matthew 27:9 (NKJV)
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
Matthew 27:35 (NKJV)
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."
Luke 7:16 (NKJV)
16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."
Luke 7:39 (NKJV)
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."
Luke 24:19 (NKJV)
19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
John 4:19 (NKJV)
19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
John 6:14 (NKJV)
14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
John 7:40 (NKJV)
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet."
John 7:52 (NKJV)
52 They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."
John 9:17 (NKJV)
17 They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
Acts 2:16 (NKJV)
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
Acts 21:10 (NKJV)
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.