The Mission of The Apostles
by Roger CampbellThe Mission of The Apostles, Our Example In Saving Faith
The apostles of Jesus were special disciples whom our Lord originally chose in order "that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils" (Mark 3:14,15). Later, after Jesus rose from the dead, he charged the apostles, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), and, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19). He plainly told them, "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven He told the apostles, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The task or mission of the apostles was plain enough: tell the good news of Jesus Christ to every person on the planet earth. In order to be successful in their work the apostles would need a strong faith, which was something that they had not always demonstrated in the past. The same things could be said about us: our task is plain enough (preach to all men), and we need a strong faith in order to carry out such an awesome responsibility.
The book of Acts is a practical handbook on evangelism, as it shows us the apostles preaching "in the temple and in every house" (5:42), or as Paul said of himself, "Have taught you publickly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20). If we will take time to examine the book of Acts, we will find some powerful lessons from the faith of the apostles, which they demonstrated from Jerusalem to Rome. This word of warning is in order: if you do not want to be motivated zealously to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others, then do not read the book of Acts!
Remembering the exhortation of Paul, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1), let us consider the following ways in which the apostles demonstrated their faith, through which they preached the gospel of Christ and changed the world forever.
I. The Apostles Showed Their Faith By Their Attitude
For the apostles evangelism was not simply "something to do," rather it was their life! For them preaching the good news was not just something, it was everything. This is plainly seen in the attitude that they demonstrated. Such an attitude was the basis of the work that they were going to do for the Master. Consider first of all their attitude towards the Lord. Paul understood to whom he belonged and what the essence of his life was, saying, ". . . God, whose I am, and whom I serve" (Acts 27:23). After his first preaching trip Paul (with Barnabas) "rehearsed all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith . . ." (Acts 14:27). Paul realized that he was simply the messenger or ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) through whom the Lord worked. Thus, it was "the Lord's work." The other apostles showed their dependence on God by asking him to grant them boldness to preach his word (Acts 4:29).
Next, notice the attitude of the apostles toward the words or message that they received from God. After an angel appeared to Paul while he was on board a ship headed to Rome, Paul declared, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25). Paul thus showed his complete confidence in Jehovah, and thus trust in any message that might come from him. How could the apostles risk their lives for Jesus if they did not have unwavering confidence in the Divine message? On another occasion Paul confessed, "So worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (Acts 24:14). Again, Paul had no doubts about the Scriptures which came from the Lord himself.
Furthermore, the apostles demonstrated their faith by possessing a great attitude toward their role or task of preaching the gospel. The apostles knew what the Lord expected of them, and they could not be silent about the message of salvation in Christ. When the Jewish Sanhedrin charged the apostles John and Peter to refrain from preaching in Jesus' name, did they pack up their bags and forget the work of preaching the gospel? Listen to their answer : "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19,20). Later when the Sanhedrin reminded all the apostles that the council had forbidden them to preach in Jesus' name, the apostles replied, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Of what were the apostles guilty? Of filling the city of Jerusalem with their doctrine (5:28). How many congregations are guilty of such intensive preaching in our time? The apostles were faced with a decision: either obey the Sanhedrin and forsake the task of preaching the gospel, or obey the Lord Jesus (Mark 16:15) and tell those glad tidings to all men. They chose the latter, and thus showed their attitude toward their God-given mission. Paul was once told by God, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace" (Acts 18:9). That is exactly what the apostles did! They were "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), but not "peaceholders."
The apostles continued to demonstrate their faith and marvelous attitude toward their mission when, even though they had been beaten, they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:40,41). Even when in those days there was an internal problem in the church ("widows were neglected in the daily ministration"--6:1), the apostles determined to press on with the work of preaching the gospel. They said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables . . . but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:2,4). By making such statements to the Jerusalem congregation, the apostles showed that they were determined to go on giving evangelism top priority "regardless." One other example is worthy of notice. Paul told the overseers from Ephesus, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:22-24). What was Paul's attitude toward his mission? Come what may, he must fulfill his ministry and preach the gospel! May the Lord raise up men and women in our generation who have that kind of burning desire to tell the world about the Savior despite any difficulties that may arise.
Finally, we must be impressed with the apostles' attitude towards the lost. Paul said that he had served the Lord "with many tears" (Acts 20:19). Those tears were connected with his teaching publicly and from house to house (20:20). Paul was so disturbed about the coming apostasy in Ephesus, that he warned the brethren there night and day with tears (20:31). Why the tears? Surely due to his concern for those who were lost, and for those who would be snatched away from the truth. Before that we read that Paul was in the city of Athens, where he saw that the city was wholly given to idolatry. His reaction? "His spirit was stirred in him . . . therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him" (Acts 17:16,17). Was Paul moved by the wicked idolatry that he saw? He most certainly was. But note that he was not simply stirred up over it, but rather he felt compelled to act! He put his faith into action by disputing with and teaching the lost.
All of us are familiar with Agrippa's statement to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). Do you remember Paul's response? He said, "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds" (26:29). Does not Paul's attitude toward the lost "jump out at us"? His desire was plain: he wanted all people to be like he was, that is, a follower of Jesus Christ. He did not just keep that longing in his heart, but he put it into action! How? He taught the gospel. Brothers and sisters, do we share that same desire that Paul had? Are we manifesting it by striving to teach the lost as he did?
II. The Apostles Showed Their Faith By Their Courage
"Yes, but they were apostles." That is the response that we sometimes hear when we point out the godly example of the apostles. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the words that they needed to preach (Matthew 10:18-20; John 14:26; 16:13). However that was not a guarantee that they would have holy conduct and manifest courage. They had to possess those on their own. But what could be the source of holy lives and courage to preach the truth? A strong faith. Remember how Jesus rebuked the sinking Peter for having "little faith" (Matthew 14:31)? How did Peter show such little faith? "He was afraid" (14:30). On another occasion Jesus rebuked the twelve after he calmed a storm at sea, saying, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith" (Mark 4:40)? From these incidents we make this conclusion: for the servants of Jesus courage comes from faith, and fear comes from a lack of it.
Let us note some examples from the book of Acts that show how the apostles preached with great courage. Some of these are explicit examples, that is, the word "boldness" or a synonym is used to describe the apostles' conduct:"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John ... . " (4:13). "And they spake the word of God with boldness" (4:31). " . . . and how he (Paul) had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus" (9:27). "And he (Paul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed . . . " (9:29). "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you . . . " (13:46). "Long time therefore abode they (Paul and Barnabas) speaking boldly in the Lord . . . " (14:3) "And Paul . . . preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (28:30, 31).
Besides such explicit statements, there are some other wonderful examples in which we readily see the courage of the apostles. Two of these are recorded in Acts 5. Because of indignation or envy the Sadducees arrested the apostles (5:17,18). However an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors for them and said, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life" (5:20). Can you imagine a more dangerous place for the apostles to preach at that time? Remember, they had just been arrested for preaching and doing miracles in Jerusalem. Anywhere but the temple! What did they do? "They entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught" (5:21). How shocked and frustrated the Jewish leaders must have been when they were told, "Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people" (5:25). The apostles of Jesus went exactly where the Lord told them to go (the temple), and they did exactly what he told them to do (speak the words of this life). Is that not what saving faith is, doing what God said do in the way that he said to do it? That is not all. When the Sanhedrin rounded up the apostles the second time, they chastised them, beat them, and plainly "commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go" (5:40). And what did the apostles do? Did they decide that it was time to "lay low and let things cool down for a while?" The Bible says that they rejoiced to be counted worthy of such suffering for Jesus, then in total defiance of the Jewish authorities they daily in the temple and in every house "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (5:41,42). What faith and courage they showed the world!
The apostle Paul was not one whit behind the other apostles when it came to courage. It is written that in the city of Lystra he was stoned, then taken out of the city, where he was assumed to be dead (14:19). When he revived, he said that he had had enough, and made a straight path for home and safety. Is that what the text says? Read verse twenty: "Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city" (14:20). Where did he go? Back into Lystra, where he had just been stoned! He returned there again later to exhort the saints (14:21). Was the man crazy, or what? Many might think so, but in fact he was just a sincere disciple of Jesus who practiced what he taught Timothy and others, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). Thank God for the courageous example of the apostles.
What about us? Are we boldly telling others the "good tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:10)? If we lack the courage to teach others the gospel, should that not tell us something about our faith? May God help each of us diligently to study his word, so that we might have the necessary faith, courage and ability to teach others about the way of salvation.
III. The Apostles Showed Their Faith By Their Daily Action
Hard to imagine the apostles as "Sunday Christians," is it not? It is also difficult to perceive of them as "Sunday Bible class teachers," but being mum about the gospel the other six days of the week. Do you not agree?
Just when did the apostles teach or preach the gospel? If the inquiry is about the time of day that they taught, then we could say that they taught at different times. It is once said that the apostles entered into the temple and taught early in the morning (Acts 5:21). On another occasion Peter and John taught at the ninth hour of the day [3 p.m.] (3:1,12). How can we forget the exciting events in Philippi? After a midnight earthquake, "They (Paul and Silas) spake unto him (the jailer) the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house" (Acts 16:32). That was a pretty late Bible study (or pretty early in the day, depending on how you look at it)! We should learn a lesson from these examples. We must be ready to teach at all hours of the day and night. For personal Bible studies, instead of asking lost people to arrange their plans or schedules to meet ours, we should be doing just the opposite.
If we want to know on which day of the week did the apostles teach, the answer is "every"--they taught each day. Are we surprised by that? We should not be, for the apostles' Master also taught every day. Jesus told the Jews who came to capture him, "I was daily in the temple teaching and ye took me not" (Mark 14:49). Here are some examples of daily evangelism or edification by the apostles in the book of Acts (all emphasis below is mine, RDC):"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (5:42)."And as they (Paul, Silas, Timothy, Luke) went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep . .. . and so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily" (16:4,5).
"Therefore disputed he (Paul) in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him" (17:17).
"And (Paul) separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus" (19:9).
We would also make this observation: if saved people were being added by the Lord "daily" (2:47), then some one was teaching each day, for faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
The apostles of Jesus were so serious about evangelism, that it was apparently a part of their daily lives! Oh, brothers and sisters, if we really want to bring the lost world to the Christ for salvation, then is it not going to take a more serious effort on our part? True, today we have no living apostles to lead the way in evangelism, but is it not the Lord's will that all of us be teachers of the word (Hebrews 5:12)? Should we not be thinking more about opportunities to teach each day? We know that we are to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23) and exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). We often praise the noble Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Every faithful child of God considers it important to pray daily as well (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But why do we tend to leave evangelism out of our daily routine? Is it because we might be afraid that others would count us as strange or religious fanatics for trying to teach sinners the Bible every day? Is it because we are somehow entangled "with the affairs of this life" (2 Timothy 2:4) and do not have the time? Whatever the reason for evangelism not receiving top priority with many Christians, this thought is a sobering one: if we are not thinking in terms of daily evangelism, are we really following the pattern or example of the first century church that we see in the book of Acts?
IV. The Apostles Showed Their Faith By Their Spirit of Sacrifice
On the night before his death Jesus told the apostles, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). In the book of Acts we read how those words were fulfilled, as the apostles suffered much for their Lord. They did it without murmuring, without complaining, and with amazing steadfastness or perseverance. In fact, rather than weaken them, the persecutions and trials made them stronger! The apostles rejoiced. In what did they rejoice? Not in being popular, not in having great material riches, and not in having a higher education, for they possessed none of these. When did their joy come? When they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus Christ (Acts 5:41). They truly understood this fact: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29). This truth they manifested not only in their lives, but also in their teaching, as they pointed out to other disciples "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
Paul and Barnabas were described as, "Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26). They were willing to do that because of their strong commitment to the risen Redeemer. Even though Paul knew that bonds and afflictions waited for him in every city, he said, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy . . . " (Acts 20:24). While many consider it a "perfectly natural thing" to "look out for number one" (self) above all else, that was certainly not the attitude that the apostles had! They had a mission to fulfill, and they were totally committed to that mission, regardless of the price that they might have to pay.
When Paul drew near to Jerusalem at the end of his third preaching trip, some of the brethren pleaded with him not to go up to the center of the Jewish religion. What was the reason? Danger was waiting for him there. Think soberly on Paul's response: "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). What is that, other than a great faith that manifested itself in a willingness to sacrifice self for the Lord? Paul and the other apostles were willing to "go to the limit" for the Lord, remembering his words, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).
V. Now What About Our Faith In Action
To this point we have concentrated for the most part on the example of the apostles. Now it is time for some sobering questions to help us examine and prove our own selves (2 Corinthians 13:5). We are not asking anyone to hand in any answers to the questions in this section, simply encouraging all of us to take a look at self. Has the faith and action of the apostles rubbed off on us? Let us see.
1. Is our faith dead or alive? That is certainly a major theme of James chapter two. "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him" (James 2:14)? Let us adapt that idea to our lesson by asking this question, 'What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath the truth, and have not evangelism (does not teach it to others)? Can the truth save him?"
2. What kind of faith avails or pleases God? "Faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6). Are we only "talking a good game," or is our faith really causing us to work for the Lord? And are we working with a spirit of love for Christ and lost souls?
3. What does it take to make us happy or rejoice? Does it take material things or the praises of men? Again, consider the apostles who rejoiced in their suffering for Jesus and the opportunity to finish their work of preaching (Acts 5:41; 20:24). Have we become so modernized and material-oriented that we cannot even imagine having the attitude that the apostles had?
4. "Where is your faith" (Luke 8:25). Do you remember when Jesus asked the apostles that question? It was after they awoke him and he calmed a storm on the sea of Galilee. He was pointing to their lack of courage. What about us? When fear hinders us from launching out and carrying the gospel to our neighbor, to those on the other side of our county, to those in another state, or to the lost in other nations, does not Jesus' question strike at the heart of the matter? Where is our faith?
5. The apostles understood that their task was to preach the gospel, but they also understood the purpose of their preaching. They knew that they were to teach the lost "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18). That is it! We must teach, not just to be saying something, but so that lost men might hear the only message that can save their souls (Romans 1:16).
6. Can you imagine the apostles assembling to discuss the work of evangelism and saying to one another, "Somebody really should do something?" May God help us to have the spirit of Isaiah and say, "Here am I, send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
7. What are we showing the world in terms of our sincere desire to help others? Peter and John healed a lame man who had a special physical need. Let us take Peter's words and apply them to the spiritual need of lost men: "But such as I have give I thee" (Acts 3:6). Let us never forget that Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Let us give the world the gospel message that it needs so very badly!
Conclusion
We have considered the example of the apostles, noticing especially their faith as it related to their work of evangelism. They showed their faith in their attitude, their courage, their daily action, and their willingness to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus Christ. Can we believe that the Lord would require any less of us? Let us not simply think about the apostles' faith in action, but let each of us take to heart Jesus' exhortation, "Go, and do thou likewise" (Luke 10:37).
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Study Questions
1. What did Peter and John say to the Jewish council when it commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus?
2. Under what circumstances did Jesus say to the apostles, "Where is your faith?"
3. What did Paul say when some brethren pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem because it might be dangerous for him there?
4. Name four ways or areas in which the apostles showed a model attitude in the book of Acts.
5. What did Jesus tell Paul about his (Paul's) mission to the Gentiles? (Acts 26:18)
6. For what did the disciples pray after John and Peter were released from prison? (Acts 4:29) How did they preach after they finished praying? (4:31)
7. Name two examples from Acts 5 which show that the apostles preached with boldness.
8. What did the apostles say to the Jewish Sanhedrin when it accused them of filling the city of Jerusalem with their doctrine? (Acts 5:29)
9. Why did the apostles rejoice after the Sanhedrin released them?
10. Name two examples in the book of Acts where it is said that apostles preached publicly (or in the temple) and from house to house. Give the scriptures.
11. What was Paul's reaction and subsequent action when he saw the city of Athens filled with idolatry?
12. Name at least three scripture references which record Jesus' charge (after he rose from the dead) to the apostles to preach the gospel throughout the whole world.
13. In Christ Jesus what is it that avails or pleases the Lord? (Galatians 5:6)
14. What did the apostles say that they would continue to do, even when there was a problem in the church concerning some neglected widows?
15. Name some things that Christians ought to do daily.
16. What was Paul's desire for King Agrippa? How did he show that desire?
17. Where is it written that Jesus chose twelve apostles to be with Him, to preach, and to do miracles?
18. How did the apostles show their willingness to sacrifice themselves for Jesus' sake?
19. How would you explain this statement: "The apostles were peacemakers, but they did not hold their peace?" (Consider Matthew 5:9 and Acts 18:9 for help).
20. When should we be willing and prepared to teach the gospel to others?
21. Do you know any Christian that you would consider a "modern-day Isaiah?" (Isaiah 6:8)
22. How are attitude, faith, courage, sacrifice and evangelism all related to one another?