In this teaching you will discover the biblical doctrine teaching of an apostle and a disciple. Many believers have interpreted that the apostle and a pastor or the preacher are the same in our modern society. The most common text use to demonstrate their doctrine view of an apostle is founded in 1Corinthian 12:28 where the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinthian this way: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
The text has a lot to bring clarification because it appear to say apostles as an order in the church of Christ, however we are to understand that when the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church, he was still alive as an apostle. An apostle is some one who walk with Christ during the time the Lord has his ministry on earth, and bear witness to his death and resurrection, and was chosen by Christ himself. In Mathew 10:1-2 we can see the Lord choosing his twelve disciples who also became his apostle, [And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction. The name of the twelve apostles are these: first Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Mathew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, Simon the cananaean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him].
The Lord choose his main twelve disciples because the number twelve always simbolyze the twelve tribes of Israel, but later on we can see the Lord choosing more so it would be more easier to spread the gospel of his kingdom and to have more than twelve to bear witness of his death and his resurrection. Remember what the apostle Paul wrote that Jesus was seen by 500 people and then He reveled himself to him. In the gospel of Luke 10:1 it is been recorded like this: [After this the Lord appointed seventy two into every town and place where he himself was about to go].
The second point is that the apostle mission was never to make apostles but to make disciples according to Mathew 28:16-20 it is been recorded: [Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of age].
The apostle Peter insisted to replace the absence of Judas Iscariot into some one who has bear witness of Christ dead and resurrection. In Act 1:21-22 [So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection].
When we read a little more in verse 26 after they cast lots on them, Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostle. Then the apostle Paul was the last chosen by God himself according to 1 Corinthians 9:1. The pastor who is call to teach and preach the gospel are not apostle because they did not walk with Jesus Christ while he was ministering here on earth, neither they seen him. In the church of Christ, there is so many people that are calling themself an apostle, and many people are deceived by their teaching. It is very important to always study any text in the context that was written, and more important to always have at least two to three text that can support the teaching in order to form a healthy doctrine.
Many churches in the last days will have false teachings and false prophets who will arise up and deceive many. They will use text that they have interpreted in their own understanding to prove that, because [the apostle Paul said that] it is written to support their doctrine. Many of them will come to bring a [massages] of peace, prosperity, blessing, impartation, and they will be more focus to rebuke the devil, rather then preaching the gospel the way that the apostle preached supporting the cross of Jesus, his suffering, his death and the resurrection for those who has not heard it yet. Many will come like a sheep and many will come giving a satisfying [massages] of blessings and sowing seeds in order to bring a telemarketing gospel in the church of Christ.
Dear Friend:
The time we are living are very critical in the last days, the only three way to know if some one is teaching a false doctrine is by be born again, that is very important because the Spirit of God is the divine person who can lead you and teach you. The second way is by been fill with the Holy Spirit, and the third way is by spending time study the bible. If you are not a believer I invite you to receive the gift of eternal life, where ever you are pray this prayer of faith in a loud voice.
Dear Lord Jesus:
Thank you for taking my place on the cross, forgive me for all of my sins, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior for ever, write my name in the book of life and show me how to live for your glory. In your holy name, Amen.
