Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. – Acts 15:6
The Calling of the Apostles
The journey of faith begins with a calling, and we see this beautifully illustrated through the apostles. They were specifically chosen by Jesus to carry out His mission on earth. Each of them, despite their individual backgrounds and stories, answered the call to follow Him. This shows us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or circumstances. We, too, have a purpose in our lives and can step into our divine calling.
Matthew 4:19
“And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19
Mark 3:13-14
“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach.” – Mark 3:13-14
Luke 6:13
“And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.” – Luke 6:13
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” – John 15:16
Acts 1:24-26
“And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship.’” – Acts 1:24-26
The Mission of the Apostles
The apostles were not just called, but they were also given a mission. Their purpose was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to share the message of salvation with the world. This mission is now ours as well. We are encouraged to share our faith openly, just like the apostles did, demonstrating our love for others and our commitment to God’s word.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Acts 2:42
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
Romans 10:15
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” – Romans 10:15
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
The Trials Faced by the Apostles
2 Timothy 3:12
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
Acts 5:41
“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” – Acts 5:41
Romans 8:36
“As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’” – Romans 8:36
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:2-4
The Unity Among the Apostles
The apostles were not alone in their mission. They worked together in unity, supporting one another as they spread the message of Christ. This unity is an example for us today as we strive to work together in our communities and churches. We can accomplish much more collectively than alone, and together we can encourage each other in faith and purpose.
Acts 2:44
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” – Acts 2:44
Acts 4:32
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” – Acts 4:32
Ephesians 4:3
“Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
Philippians 1:27
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:27
Colossians 3:14
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:14
The Authority of the Apostles
Jesus bestowed a certain authority upon the apostles as they carried out their mission. This authority came from Him and enabled them to perform miracles and share the gospel effectively. Today, we also are given authority in our faith to stand firm and proclaim the truth. We can confidently approach challenges knowing that God empowers us through His Spirit.
Matthew 10:1
“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.” – Matthew 10:1
Luke 9:1
“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” – Luke 9:1
John 20:21
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” – John 20:21
Acts 2:43
“And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” – Acts 2:43
Romans 15:18-19
“For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” – Romans 15:18-19
The Legacy of the Apostles
The apostles left a profound legacy through their teachings and examples. Their lives inspire us to walk in faith and share God’s love with others. We still learn from their journeys and how they shared the gospel. While our paths might differ, we are called to carry forward the message of Christ, just as they did. Let us honor their legacy by living out our faith authentically.
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Ephesians 2:20
“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:20
1 Thessalonians 2:13
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Peter 3:2
“That you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.” – 2 Peter 3:2
Revelation 21:14
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” – Revelation 21:14
Final Thoughts
The apostles serve as incredible examples of what it means to follow Christ faithfully. They were called, selected, and sent out, all while facing challenges that tested their faith. Their unity, authority, and legacy continue to inspire us as we strive to live our lives in accordance with God’s purpose. We are reminded that we, too, have a calling and can accomplish great things when we work together in our communities.
As we reflect on their lives, let us encourage one another in our walk of faith. Let’s lean on each other in hardships and rejoice in shared victories. The journey of faith is not meant to be traveled alone, and together, we can make a greater impact. So, let’s follow our calling and serve with passion and commitment.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of faith and friendship with Jesus, check out more related topics like Friendship with Jesus or explore other biblical insights at Bible Repository.