Everyone is “not” called to the same purpose. If we are all fishers of men then the Body of Christ would be one big mouth and two feet. If we all go, who will teach? Who will administrate? So, who is commissioned?
Matthew 28:16 Then the "eleven" disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. Jesus commissioned the "remaining" apostles to go into the nations and baptize. Sometime later, Jesus commissioned Paul to go to the Gentiles: non Jews. Acts 26:13-18 Why apostles? Because apostles are those who have received the power of the Holy Spirit to cast out demons and heal the sick. Matthew 10:1 And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. Acts 1:1-5 In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day He was taken up to Heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to 'the apostles" He had chosen. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This is why Jesus said we must be born again. The apostles had received the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them but it was temporary. John 20:22 John 9:5 "While I am in the world", I am the light of the world.” Jesus was going to go back to His God and Father. John 16:28 & John 20:17 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 All this I have spoken to you "while I am still with you". But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:25,26 1st Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 2nd Corinthians 2:12 The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1st Corinthians 4:20 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1st Corinthians 3:5-9 1st Corinthians 12:27-29 Now you are the Body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. And in the Church God has appointed First of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?... First Apostles, Second Prophets, Teachers, Helpers, Administrators, ... Compare 1st Corinthians 12:28 to Ephesians 4:11 Some apostles, some prophets, evangelists... An Evangilist is a teacher. The Greek word euangelistas means: missionary, evangelist or teacher. https://biblehub.com/greek/2099.htm. The misconception of Evangelist And Missionaries being sent into the Nations to baptize and make disciples is what we see today. Many people with a knowledge of God but not the power of God. This is because people defend a particular doctrine instead of searching the Scriptures. Missionaries are helpers, not apostles or church planters. ...and some, pastors and teachers... a pastor is a teacher and/or Shepherd. Jesus sent the apostles but, Luke 10:1 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1st Corinthians 13:1-13 Love Now I can understand why Paul would write the following instruction. Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. Ist Thessalonians 4:9-12 Believe in your heart, (beyond the shadow of doubt) That God raised His Only Begotten Son Jesus from the dead and Confess Jesus as your Lord and you will be saved. For with the heart we believe unto righteousness and with the mouth we confess unto salvation. Romans 10:9,10 (embellished) Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” 2nd Timothy 2:19 (Iniquity is the thought of evil. As Jesus said, everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28) So if you who are evil (for none are righteous) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” -- In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Furthermore, Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.” “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely. Revelation 22:11-17 Berean Study Bible March 9, 2015 - Updated June 20, 2019 - March 22, 2024 Be an example in your community but to go into unGodly nations is for an apostle and Jesus sent them out in twos.
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