Acts Study #12: Are there true apostles in our day? (1:1

Acts Study #12: Are there true apostles in our day? (1:1 - 2:47)

Hechos Estudio #12: ¿Existen verdaderos apóstoles en nuestros días? (1:1 - 2:47)

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“This is the work of Jehovah! It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23

Acts, Chapter 1.1: Many Jews of the Diaspora believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1:1 - 2:47)

§Complement Introduction: Jesus gave his Great Commission and the apostles chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot (1:1 - 26)

¶Opposite The Lord gave his Great Commission to his first church (and all future churches) to take the Gospel to the entire Earth (1:1 - 8)

¶Opposite The apostles cast lots to choose an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot (1:9 - 26)

§Complement Peter preached the Gospel to foreign-born Jews and about 5,000 confessed Jesus as their Messiah (2:1 - 40)

¶Unique God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the apostles; and this miracle brought many foreign-born Jews around them (2:1 - 13)

¶Complement Peter preached that the miracle of speaking in foreign languages came from Jehovah, the God of Israel (2:14 - 21)

¶Complement Peter preached that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was also from Jehovah, the God of Israel (2:22 - 28)

¶Opposite Peter pointed to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit from Jehovah as proof of the resurrection of Jesus (2:29 - 36)

¶Opposite Peter called the Jews to repent and turn to their Messiah; and be baptized as a sign of the forgiveness of their sins (2:37 - 40)

§Unique The Assembly in Jerusalem began to expand rapidly with many new believers (2:41 - 47)

¶Complement After baptism, the new converts continued in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles (2:41 - 43)

¶Complement The spiritual growth of the new converts resulted in more souls being saved, which were added to the Assembly (2:44 - 47)

¶Opposite The apostles cast lots to choose an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:9 - 26)

Opposite And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven.”

Opposite Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called “of Olives”, which is a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem. And when they came in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication; with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Complement And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (the number of names together were about one hundred and twenty) and said, “Men, brethren: it was necessary to fulfill this Scripture, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus: for he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Accordingly, this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper language, ‘Aceldama’, that is to say, ‘The Field of Blood.’ For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell in it; and his office of Overseer let another take.’

Complement Therefore of these men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Unique And they appointed two: Joseph called Barsabas (who was surnamed Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show us which of these two you have chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias: and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Comments: The Golden Design of paragraph 2 of the Introduction is “OO-CCU”, the opposite of paragraph 1:

Opposite The angels of God mildly rebuke the apostles for gazing up into Heaven

Opposite The apostles return to the upper room in Jerusalem to pray with the rest of the Assembly

Complement Peter reminds the other apostles that Judas Iscariot fulfilled Scripture in his treason and his suicide

Complement Peter urges the other apostles to ordain another apostle to replace Judas Iscariot

Unique The apostles choose Matthias as the twelfth apostle by lot

Now, let’s examine four important questions about this text:

1) Are there true apostles in our day?

2) Were there only 11 or 12 apostles during the first century?

3) Can a woman be an apostle?

4) Was Matthias a true apostle?

5) Difficult texts about the apostles

1) Are there true apostles in our day?

The short answer is no. Sadly, there are many false apostles and false prophets in our day, as there always have been and will be until the Return of Jesus Christ. This question needs to be answered from the Bible, so that the children of God will not be deceived into accepting the false claims of these people, both men and women.

Here is the long answer, and we can easily find it in our text from the Book of Acts.

In paragraph 3, Peter stood up and urged the other ten apostles to choose a replacement for Judas Iscariot, who had committed suicide.

Then in paragraph 4, Peter said,

“Therefore of these men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:21 - 22)

What is the Biblical criteria to be an apostle of Jesus Christ?

1) “[One] of these men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us”

That leaves out modern-day “apostles”, for sure.

2) “beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us”

Again, no one living today, or even anyone who was not at least a young person during the earthly lifetime of the Lord Jesus Christ, can fit that description.

Here is a quotation from the wikipedia, which is frequently wrong in Biblical matters, because they will use Roman Catholic or modernist interpretations rather than a Biblical interpretation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/apostle

“What makes someone an apostle? The Friberg Greek Lexicon gives a broad definition as one who is sent on a mission, a commissioned representative of a congregation, a messenger for God, a person who has the special task of founding and establishing churches. The UBS Greek Dictionary also describes an apostle broadly as a messenger.”

The error in this definition is that it relied exclusively on the words of men rather than the Scriptural definition:

This error is typical of those who want to teach a false doctrine, so they will use religious-sounding words and phrases to distract you from what the Bible actually says. The apostle of Jesus Christ was much more than just a messenger, he was one of those who were with the other apostles during the entire earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. If you remove that definition, then you may claim that you or another man is an apostle today; but when you go back to the Bible for the complete definition, you cannot make that claim with scriptural justification.

2) Were there only 11 or 12 apostles during the first century?

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were only twelve apostles. In fact, the Book of Acts names three others who are apostles, which means that they were men who fit the Biblical criteria: Matthias, James, and Barnabas.

Here are the three scripture references:

Acts 1:26 “And they cast their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias: and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Acts 14:4: “But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.” (i.e. Paul and Barnabas)

Acts 14:14 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,...”

Galatians 1:19 “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.” (James, the Lord’s half-brother, was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem; but he was not part of the original twelve apostles).

So the Bible names Matthias, James, the half-brother of Jesus, as an apostle; and Barnabas, the missionary companion with Paul, as apostles. But there are no other clear references that I am aware of. In any case, the answer to the question is that there were clearly more than 12 apostles, but as far as the Scripture records, not many more than that.

Barnabas is first mentioned in the Book of Acts, but I can find no scriptural reason not to believe that he was part of the original group of disciples that followed Jesus around during his earthly ministry. And since the Bible calls him an apostle, that settles the matter for me.

Also, since the Bible text clearly labels James and Barnabas as apostles, and they were not among those originally chosen by Christ, then in order to continue insisting that there were only 12 apostles, you would have to also believe that the Bible contains errors. But that is a liberal idea, that is not supported by the Scripture. All of the Bible is the Word of God, and it was all given by the breath of the Holy Spirit:

“All Scripture is God-breathed; and is beneficial for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for all good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17”

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture comes of one’s own interpretation: for the prophecy came at no time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

See point number 5 for additional thoughts on this topic.

3) Can a woman be an apostle?

Well, look at the definition again:

“Of these men” (no women are mentioned there).

There are no women in the Gospels or the letters of the apostles mentioned as being an apostle. So, no, by the Scriptural definition, a woman cannot be an apostle; and there never has been.

4) Was Matthias a true apostle?

I believe so, because he fit the Scriptural definition of an apostle, as did James, and Barnabas. Some believe that a true apostle could only be chosen by Christ; and so they claim that Matthias was not a true apostle, since Christ did not choose him; but if that is true, then what about Barnabas and James? The Scripture clearly labels Barnabas and James as apostles, so that assumption cannot be true, because they were not among the original 12 chosen by Christ.

The criteria given by the apostles are the only ones that fit all of the data from the Scriptures, so therefore it is the correct criteria.

5) Difficult texts about the apostles

Revelation 21:12-14: "And it had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates were twelve angels, and names written on it, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations; and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

Matthew 19:27-28: "Then Peter answered and said to him, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Jesus specifically says that in the Resurrection, the twelve apostles would judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And in Revelation, the City of God will have twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles of Christ, the Lamb of God.

So, it appears from these texts that while the Book of Acts mentions other men such as Barnabas and James as an apostle, the true number of apostles is only twelve. Those were the 11 original apostles plus the apostle Paul, who was chosen by Christ.

The only explanation that harmonizes these texts is that Barnabas and James were "secondary" apostles; and Paul plus the original 11 without Judas Iscariot were the "primary" apostles; and these "primary" apostles are the only ones who will sit on the twelve thrones spoken of by Christ, judging the twelve tribes of Israel; and whose names will be recorded in the foundations of the City of God.

Does that mean that we can have "secondary apostles" today? No, because the original criteria remains that they had to be men who were living during the earthly lifetime of Jesus Christ and participated in his earthly ministry toward Israel. No one has fit that description since the first century A.D.

Conclusion

Only those who wish to depart from the Word of God and create their own (false) religion will call themselves an apostle today, whether they are men or women. It is not the New Covenant Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they should be avoided.

The Bible does not teach that we may use the Bible as a pretext to create another, different religion of our own liking; in fact, it says the opposite:

“I marvel that you so quickly removed yourselves from him that called you in the grace of Christ into a different gospel; which is a false gospel; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the true Gospel of Christ. But though we, or even an angel from Heaven, preach any gospel to you different from what we have already preached to you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so now I say again, if any man preaches any gospel to you different from what you have already received from us, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6 - 9

In other words, the only valid expression of the Christian Faith is that which was taught by the apostle Paul and the other apostles in their letters. Because if you are willing to depart from their teachings and create your own religion, there is no limit to how far you might go from the Bible. That path leads only to spiritual darkness and destruction.

“To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no Light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

How to be saved

The Bible clearly states that salvation can only be obtained if we repent and believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.

Luke 13:3: “I say to you, no; but, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Romans 3:21-24: “But now, the righteousness of God apart from the Law is revealed (being testified by the Law and the Prophets), even the righteousness of God as it is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

It is impossible to keep the Law of Moses! The sole purpose of the Law of Moses (the Ten Commandments) is to make you understand that you are a sinner who has sinned against God. It cannot make you righteous in God’s eyes:

Romans 3:19-20: “And we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be shut, and everyone may become guilty before God; therefore by the works of the Law no flesh shall be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.”

Sins can only be paid for by the finished atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross! We cannot pay for our own sins with our suffering, neither in this life nor in the fictitious place called “Purgatory”!

Romans 3:23-26: “For all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has publicly exhibited, to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of past sins, through the patience of God; to declare, I say, at this time his justice; that God may be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.”

Here is how you can be truly saved TODAY, and know that you have Eternal Life, right now!

The Bible says,

“that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart, man believes into righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made into salvation: for the Scripture says, “Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.” For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him: for it is written, “whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Are you ready to do that? If so, then find a place to pray privately, and pray this prayer with all of your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! You are my only hope for salvation! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, you were buried, and you rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”

If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.

Hechos Estudio #12: ¿Existen verdaderos apóstoles en nuestros días? (1:1 - 2:47)

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“¡Esta es la obra de Jehová! Es maravilloso a nuestros ojos”. Salmo 118:23

Hechos, Capítulo 1.1: Muchos judíos de la Diáspora creído al evangelio de Jesús Cristo (1:1 - 2:47)

§El complemento Introducción: Jesús dio su Gran Comisión y los apóstoles eligieron un reemplazo para Judas Iscariote (1:1 - 26)

¶Lo opuesto El Señor dio su Gran Comisión a su primera iglesia (y todas las iglesias futuras) para llevar el evangelio a toda la tierra (1:1 - 8))

¶Lo opuesto Los apóstoles echan suertes para elegir un apóstol para reemplazar a Judas Iscariote (1:9 - 26)

§El complemento Cuerpo: Pedro predicó el evangelio a judíos nacidos en el extranjero y unos 5,000 confesaron a Jesús como su Mesías (2:1 - 40)

¶Único Dios derramó su Espíritu Santo sobre los apóstoles; y este milagro atrajo a muchos judíos nacidos en el extranjero (2:1 - 13)

¶El complemento Pedro predicó que el milagro de hablar en idiomas extranjeros provenía de Jehová, el Dios de Israel (2:14 - 21)

¶El complemento Pedro predicó que la crucifixión y resurrección de Jesús también provenían de Jehová, el Dios de Israel (2:22 - 28)

¶Lo opuesto Pedro señaló el derramamiento del Espíritu Santo desde Jehová como prueba de la resurrección de Jesús (2:29 - 36)

¶Lo opuesto Pedro llamó a los judíos a arrepentirse y volverse al cristo, y ser bautizados como señal del perdón de sus pecados (2:37 - 40)

§Único Conclusión: La asamblea en Jerusalén comenzó a expandirse rápidamente con muchos creyentes nuevos (2:41 - 47)

¶El complemento Después del bautismo, los nuevos conversos continuaron en la enseñanza y la comunión de los apóstoles (2:41 - 43)

¶El complemento El crecimiento espiritual de los nuevos conversos resultó en la salvación de más almas (2:44 - 47)

§Complement Introduction: Jesus gave the apostles a promise to give them power, and the apostles chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot

¶Opposite Jesus gave the apostles a promise to give them power to carry out his Great Commission

Unique The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given Commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen. 1:3To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Complement And, being assembled together with the apostles, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem; but “wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard from me:

Complement “for John truly baptized in water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Opposite Therefore, when they came together, they asked him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom of Zion again to Israel?” And he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own authority.

Opposite “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria; and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.”

Introducción

La traducción al español de este estudio está pendiente.

Como Ser Salvado

¿Exactamente cómo y cuándo naciste de nuevo?

He aprendido por experiencia que aquellos que se niegan a responder lo hacen porque nunca han nacido de nuevo; no tienen idea de lo que significa, y por eso no pueden responder.

Si ese es tu caso, entonces tu destino eterno en este momento es el Infierno; y más tarde, el Lago de Fuego.

Afortunadamente, podemos cambiar nuestro destino eterno del Infierno al Cielo, si nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y recibimos a Jesucristo como nuestro Salvador personal.

Primero, debemos creer que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios; que fue crucificado por nuestros pecados, que fue sepultado y que resucitó de entre los muertos al tercer día.

Romanos 10:8-11: “Pero ¿qué dice? “La Palabra está cerca de ti, incluso en tu boca y en tu corazón”, es decir, la Palabra de fe (que predicamos), que si confesarás con tu boca al Señor Jesús, y creerás en tu corazón que Dios le levantó de los muertos, tú serás salvado: porque con el corazón, el hombre cree para justicia, y con la boca, la confesión se hace para la salvación: porque la Escritura dice, “cualquiera que en él creyere, no será avergonzado”.

Entonces, debemos arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados e invocar el Nombre del Señor Jesús para salvarnos.

Romanos 10:12-13: “Porque no hay diferencia entre el judio y el gentil: porque el mismo Señor sobre todo es rico a todos los que le invocan: porque está escrito, “Cualquiera que llamará sobre el Nombre del Señor será salvado”.

Juan 1:12: “Pero cuantos le recibieron, él les dio autoridad para convertirse los niños de Dios: incluso a aquellos quien creen sobre su Nombre”.

Cuando hacemos eso, entonces nacemos de nuevo instantáneamente en el Reino de Dios.

Estas listo para hacer eso? Si es así, entonces busca un lugar para orar en privado y haz esta oración con todo tu corazón al Señor Jesucristo:

“Señor Jesús, sé que he pecado contra TI. ¡No soy bueno y usted eres justo! Creo que moriste en la cruz por mis pecados, fuiste enterrado y resucitaste de entre los muertos al tercer día. Quiero que vengas a mi vida y seas mi Señor y Salvador. Por favor entra en mi corazón ahora mismo. Perdóname por todos mis pecados y salva mi alma. En el poderoso Nombre de Jesús, oro, ¡Amén!”

Si se apartó de sus pecados y aceptó a Jesucristo como su Señor y único Salvador desde el pecado, por favor envíeme un mensaje a través de Facebook y hágame saber que lo ha hecho, para que pueda orar por usted y alegrarme con usted en lo que Dios tiene hecho en tu vida. Amén.