HOW HE SPEAKS

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, “All power (authority) hath been given unto me, in heaven and on earth.” So, whatever He says, becomes binding upon mankind. I think that all people who claim to believe in Christ, will agree with that statement. But these same believers sometimes say, “we need to hear what Christ says, not what the apostles say. But he said to these apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). This was their charge, their mission and we hear Him once again as he makes the apostles’ voices just as binding as though God, Himself, were the speaker. (Matthew 10:40) “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”

We hear the apostle Paul and he affirms this in 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” An ambassador is a personal representative of a government and these apostles had the proper credentials and had the message of heaven given them by the King. They were the help of the Holy Spirit, *the Comforter.” Read all about that beginning with John 13:31 through the end of chapter 17. All of that is addressed to the apostles. Remember that as you read.

Their writing was just as authoritative as their speaking. Read with me from ASV 2 Timothy 3:16-17: Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” The word “scripture” means “writings.” All writings were not and are not inspired but the writings of the apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were therefore authoritative and binding.

By the way, there are no successors to the apostles. No man today has the qualifications or the credentials essential to that position!

Return to Daily Devotions