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GROWING WITH THE 12 DISCIPLES

Matthew 10:1-24.

INTRODUCTION

The scriptures for this study open with the statement. And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples.

Note; Luke writes in Luke 6:12&13.

Luke 6:12-13 (King James Version)
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

As an introduction to the call of the twelve, i want to give you the Bible facts that lie hidden here in the words of our Lord.

  1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DISCIPLE AND AN APOSTLE.
  2. Disciple means to learn. One who receives instruction from another.
  3. All who are saved and are following the teaching of Christ can scripturally be referred to as Christ’s disciples.
  1. Apostle means “One sent forth”.
  2. To be an apostle one must have accompanied the ministry of Jesus
  3. To be an apostle one must have been an eye witness of the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 1:21-22.

Acts 1:21-22 (King James Version)
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

The point to he emphasizedis that there are many disciples but the Bible gives the names of only twelve who were called apostles.

The calling of the twelve points out the Lord’s need of special men for special tasks. Eph. 4:11.

  1. THE LORD STILL CALLS MEN TO SPECIFIC WORK.

Romans 10:13-15 (King James Version)
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Hebrews 5:4 (King James Version)
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

  1. Old Testament prophets had special calls.
  2. Isaiah.

Isaiah 6:8 (King James Version)
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

  1. Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (King James Version)
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

  1. Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 1:3 (King James Version)
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

  1. Jonah.

Jonah 1:1-2 (King James Version)
1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

  1. John The Baptist.

John 1:6 (King James Version)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

  1. MEN WHO ARE CALLED OF GOD ARE SEPARATED.
  2. Each man was named bearing distinct personalities.
  3. Christ knew whom He wanted and why He wanted them.
  4. Example: Simon Peter and John.
  5. “Follow me. and I will makeyou fishers of men”.
  6. Further we see the Lord’s choice of Judas and the scripture tells us He had complete knowledge of Judas.

Matthew 10:4 (King James Version)
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

  1. WHEN THERE IS A SPECIAL CALL THERE IS ALWAYS A SPECIAL PROMISE OF POWER. Vs 1, “He gave them power”.
  2. Our promises for today.
  3. “Lo, I am with you alway”. Matt. 28:20.
  4. “Ye shall receive power”. Acts 1:8.
  5. I’ll never leave thee nor forsake thee”. Heb. 13:5—8.
  6. As His ambassadors, let us claim these promises of god