THE PLACE OF THE APOSTLES

The apostles were an integral part of God's plan for the salvation of mankind. They were given an important place in his dealing with humanity. Why did God choose this avenue? I don't know. All I know is that they are set apart, by Christ, to be his spokesmen on earth so it behooves us to listen to their words. Their words would be "the word of God," and God had chosen the "word" to be the means by which he would deal with mankind. (Hebrews 4:12) "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

"Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven" (NASB Matthew 18:18) The message of the apostles would be limited to what heaven had prepared for them. It would be given them by inspiration. (John 16:13) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

By these words the apostles would fill the place of judgment Jesus had gone to prepare for them. (Luke 6:13) "... he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles." (Matthew 19:28) "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:30) "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." These men would lay the foundation that the church would be built upon and that would sustain the church. (Revelation 21:14) "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

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