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ELEVEN APOSTLES, ONE TRAITOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Luke 6:12-20

Matthew 7:21-29

 

“…he chose twelve…”

 

ELEVEN APOSTLES, ONE TRAITOR
 
Jesus had twelve disciples. They belonged to a special office of commissioned servants called Apostles. There were to be only twelve of them, no more and no less. The twelve Apostles originally chosen by Jesus were:
 
1. Simon (aka, Peter)                                                                   8. Thomas
2. Andrew (Peter’s brother)                                                          9. James (son of Alphaeus,
3. James (son of Zebedee)                                                              aka, James the Less)
4. John (James’ brother,                                                             10. Simon Zealotes
    son of Zebedee) (or the Canaanite)
5. Philip                                                                                       11. Lebbaeus (aka, Thaddaeus,
6. Bartholomew (aka, Nathanael,                                                     Judas “not Iscariot” of
    John 1:45-49, 21:2)                                                                      John 14:22, brother of James)
7. Matthew (the tax collector)                                                     12. Judas Iscariot (the traitor)
 
When they were reduced to eleven after Judas Iscariot fell out, they had to appoint someone else to make up that number (cf. Acts 1:21-26, 6:2; 1 Cor 15:5). The number is fixed.
 
The Apostles had a special ministry of the Word. They were prepared by Jesus for an infallible ministry of preaching the Word (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Pet 1:21), writing the Word (2 Tim 3:16; Eph 2:20), and administering the Word (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 4:9). Their Word ministry was authenticated by powerful works of miracles (Mark 16:20; 2 Cor 12:12). They had an authoritative “Thus saith the Lord” ministry.
 
We no longer have nor do we need Apostles today because we already have in our hands the complete, sufficient and authoritative Word of God (cf. 1 Cor 13:8-10; Rev 22:18-19). God speaks to us today through the Holy Scriptures. What we do have today are pastors and teachers who expound God’s Word to us. These spiritually gifted men minister within the Revelation of Holy Scriptures that God had inspired the Apostles to write (2 Pet 1:21; 2 Tim 3:16).
 
Beware of false prophets and apostles who come with their visions and dreams.
 
THOUGHT: “The Bible has in it all that the Christian needs.” (McIntire)

PRAYER: Father, give me a thirst and hunger for Thy Word.

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