Lesson #2 - Apostolic Power And Authority

Terry Siverd
06/05/19 - Wed Bible Study

LESSON #2 – APOSTOLIC POWER AND AUTHORITY

1. What was the source of the POWER that resided in the apostles? - cf. Lk.9:1-6 and 10:1-16

~ Why did Jesus dare to send out His apostles as lambs in the midst of wolves?

~ Why would Jesus tell them to carry no purse, no bag, no shoes?

- In Mt.28:20, Jesus promised His apostles, Lo, I am with you always... cf. Heb.2:4

- Mk.16:17-18 notes miraculous powers that would accompany the disciples.

- Mk16:20 / They went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by signs...

~ Jesus had assured His apostles that they would receive guidance from the Holy Spirit (Jn.14:25 & 16:12-13).

- They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

- Jesus told them:  do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you... (Mt.10:19).

~ The apostle Paul wrote:  (God) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness (2Cor.12:9).

cf. Heb.13:6 / The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid..

¡  What does Paul mean when he says (1Cor.5:5) - - I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan...?  ¡

2. Did the words delivered by the apostles come with God-given AUTHORITY?

~ The apostles were given the keys of the kingdom (Mt.16:19).

- The apostles were endowed with power to both bind and loose (Mt.18:18).

- They were even authorized to “forgive sins” (Jn.20:23).

- The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name (Lk.10:17).

~ The spoken messages of the apostles were to be received as if from God Himself.

- The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me;

And he who rejects Me, rejects The One who sent Me (Lk.10:16).

- In a real sense the apostles were conduits of the judgments of God (Mt.19:28).

~ The written messages (aka, epistles) of the apostles were also authoritative.

- Peter, John, James and Jude were apostles and/or bond-servants of God.  cf. 1Pet.1:1 & 2Pet.1:1; Js.1:1; Jude 1:1 & Rev.1:1

Likewise for Paul - - cf. Rom.1:1; 1Cor.1:1; 2Cor.1:1; Gal.1:1; Eph.1:1; Philp.1:1; Col.1:1; 1Tim.1:1; 2Tim.1:1 & Titus1:1

Regarding Paul's “calling” note Acts 9:15 / he is a chosen instrument of Mine...

I am writing these things...in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me... (2Cor.10:13).

Some of the letters of Paul were encyclical – cf. Col.4:16 and 1Thess.5:27

- The apostles were not just writing their own opinions.  cf. Gal.1:8-9

Even though we, or angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel

contrary to that which we have preached to you, let his accursed (anathema).

Their spoken and written words were Spirit-given (1Cor.2:13) and sanctioned by Christ (1Cor.14:37 and 2Thess.4:2 & 8).

God had granted them to know the mystery of Christ (Eph.3:4-5).

Paul declares (Gal.1:11-12) - - the gospel he preached was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

- The apostles were entrusted with (1Thess.2:4) and charged with delivering the word of God's message (1Thess.2:13).

Their writings were sacred and Scripture (2Tim.3:15-16) … God-given traditions (2Thess.2:15) … and sound words (2Tim.1:13).

 - Prophetic utterances came when men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2Pet.1:21).

The apostles (and elders) were empowered by God to deliver decrees (Acts 16:4).

Do we see weaknesses in behavior on the part of The Twelve during “the mentoring period",

that we don’t see after Acts 2 (in the years following the impartation of The Holy Spirit)?

How does one explain some apparent conflicts between apostles?

Paul and Barnabas differed as to the selection of John Mark for the second missionary journey.

Paul corrected Peter regarding his hypocritical behavior among the Gentiles.