Disciples and Apostles

Disciples and Apostles

I regret the delay: my DSL service was interrupted. Dan.

Monday, July 28, 2008: Matthew 4:17–20

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Background: this is the start of Jesus Christ’s ministry.
Did Peter and Andrew’s call make them Jesus Christ’s disciples? No. To become His disciples they had to first leave all and follow Him.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008: Matthew 10:1–2a

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:

Background: this is the early part of Jesus Christ’s ministry.
Were the disciples of Jesus Christ also Apostles? No, but the 12 Apostles were all disciples.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008: Luke 6:12–16

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve 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 also became a traitor.

How did the disciples of Jesus Christ become Apostles? Jesus Christ called His disciples to Him after a night of prayer, choose 12 and named them Apostles.

Thursday, July 31, 2008: Luke 24:46–48

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Background: this is Jesus Christ after resurrection but just before ascension.
What were the apostles to be (eye) witnesses to? Christ suffered and rose from the dead. A sinner’s repentance leads to remission of sins in the Name: Jesus Christ.

Friday, August 1, 2008: Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

Were the original twelve the first Apostles? No, Jesus Christ was THE APOSTLE sent from and by God.