Kingdom Principle: The Apostles are granted authority to perform miraculous deeds in order to establish them as those who would form the doctrinal foundation of God’s church. (Eph. 2:20) They are unique in their abilities and because they are unique, it make their ministry universal. If we want to hear from God in this day and age, we must hear from the Apostles and the Prophets, whose words are preserved in the Bible. The __________________________ Nature of Apostles’ MinistryLuke 9:1–2 (ESV) — 1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. The Apostles’ authority is a delegated authority and is directly connected to their task of establishing the truth of the kingdom of God.Matthew 10:5–6 (ESV) — 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.Luke 22:35–37 (ESV) — 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” There are a few times in the history of God’s people where we see God use miracles to indicate a significant moment in the history of God’s people. That is to say that not all of history sees these exceptional outpourings of God’s power. And these times mark significant advancements in the progress of redemption. Exodus 4:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’ ” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 1 Kings 18:36–39 (ESV) — 36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”What are we intended to learn with this series of events? God’s plan of redemption is about to advance significantly in the ministry of the 12 Apostles. Moses and Elijah brought the plan of God for his people forward substantially, but Jesus is about to change the game entirely. And he is going to do this through the ministry of the Apostles.The Apostles’ ministry is universal because it is unique.The __________________________ Nature of Apostles’ MinistryLuke 9:13 (ESV) — 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” Jesus is delegating his authority to these 12 men specifically and primarily. They are to be the ones who will sustain and nourish the church universal.Acts 3:1-4:4
