The Apostles of Christ occupy
a particular and singular station in the purpose of God. He chose thirteen men to occupy
that office. One of them was a deceiver from
the beginning. He was created by the Lord to
fulfill the role of betrayer in order that the Lord might
bring to pass his own arrest and ultimate condemnation by
men. Judas gladly fulfilled that purpose for which he was created
and ultimately, according to his nature and conduct, reaped
the rewards of his own wickedness. not the least of which was natural
remorse for his own error, for which he found no remedy, taking
his own life and experiencing the destruction of his body and
soul in hell. Peter and the other apostles
talked to replace Judas by the drawing of lots as they named
Matthias to take his office. I am sure that Matthias was a
good and faithful man, but this office could not be filled by
one selected and installed by men. Those who would be apostles
of the Lord must be personally chosen and given the gift and
calling of an apostle by the Lord alone. Thus we read of Saul
of Tarsus on his way to Damascus with just such an appointment.
Those who were the apostles of the Lord were not only particularly
chosen by him, but they were directly taught by him as well.
The original twelve accompanied with the Lord during his earthly
ministry, being daily instructed by him both in word and by deed. Paul was carried away to the
wilderness shortly after his calling and conversion where
he was instructed by the Lord without the aid of men. Then
after three years he went up to Jerusalem. Another common
trait of the apostles was that they were eyewitnesses of the
risen Christ and saw him as he ascended up into glory. Paul
testified he was seen of all the apostles, and last of all
he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Paul
was not present on those days when Christ arose from the tomb
and ascended into the heavens, yet he tells us that he was caught
up to the third heaven, where he did indeed behold him who
sits upon the throne. He uses this as a means whereby
to prove his apostleship to the Corinthians. Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen
Jesus Christ our Lord? Are ye not my work in the Lord?
Those things which were given to the apostles formed the very
bedrock of the gospel, which was at first taught by the Old
Testament prophets, who understood that the things which they prophesied
were for a time in the distant future and for a people who were
yet to be born. While these prophets of old could
only see God's purpose very dimly, the apostles were given a front
row seat to the unfolding of that purpose in full display
as they beheld Jesus Christ the Lord, not simply as another teacher
sent from God, but rather the very light of the world who dwelt
among men in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. These
apostles preached the gospel of the glory of the blessed God,
not simply as one would teach men some doctrinal facts, but
they declared it with a passion which can only be bestowed by
the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. They were given to know
that He is the incarnate God, who thought it not robbery to
be equal with God, even declaring to them that the man who has
seen Him has seen the Father. He is the only manifestation
of God that men can be given even a glimpse of. John testified,
and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth. He is pleased now to reveal himself
fully through the foundational ministry of the apostles, who
declared that he is the one mediator between God and man. For we preach
not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. Thus it is in him alone that
the sons of God have fellowship with God and with one another.
It is here in the testimony of the apostles concerning the person
and work of Christ that we, as those to whom they were sent,
find a basis upon which the common faith of the household of God
rests. Truly our fellowship with one
another has no other foundation, nor is there any other place
of camaraderie for the children of God except in Jesus Christ
and Him crucified. For other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.