During the years of his ministry, Christ had many followers some of whom he had called to be his Disciples and many who just tag along. From the Disciples he chose twelve whom he ordained Apostles. A Disciple in the basic sense “denotes one who follows one’s teachings”. But for these followers of Christ; a Disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent. Hence they are spoken of as imitators of their Teacher. Now the term Apostle literally means “one sent forth” and is used to describe Christ relationship to God the Father (John 17: 3) and (Hebrews 3: 1) and the twelve Disciples chosen and Ordained by the LORD to be with him. They would be the first to receive power to do the works that Christ himself was doing (Mark 3: 14-15) and (Luke 6: 13) and were the first to be sent out to Preach the Kingdom of God to the Jews (Matthew 10) and (Luke 9: 1-5). All Disciples including the Apostles would have the responsibility to preach the Kingdom of God (The Gospel). It is to be noted here that the Jews were the ones that had the written Laws and Commandments from the time of Moses. These Laws and Commandments were never spoken of as the Kingdom of God and were never seen as such. The Laws and Commandments themselves were not the Kingdom of God but they pointed to the Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom involves and includes His Realm, Reign, Sovereignty, Dominion, Power, Trinity, Divinity, Holiness, Righteousness, Faithfulness and all that He has revealed Himself to be. All this is wrapped up in Jesus the Christ whom the Jews knew not and completely denied.

The Apostles were sent to preach the Gospel of Grace to a people for whom change had come but who preferred continuance under the old School Master: The Law. Christ would eventually use both Apostles and Disciples to document the Gospel of Grace with the chief and main proponent been Saul of Tarsus, who was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; perfect in the Law, zealous for God and a persecutor of the followers of Christ. Him the Lord converted and Ordained an Apostle and changed his name to Paul, sending him to preach and teach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 9: 1-31 & 22: 3-21). Now the Gentiles were eager to receive the Gospel but the Jews were eager to kill everyone who dared to preach it, the first been Christ himself and most of the Disciples and Apostles. They were all Appointed to suffer as would many more after them, paying a price so high: that we who also were chosen in him before the foundation of the world, should be holy and without blame before him in love. Fulfilling the roles of Disciples, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Beloved you also were appointed to suffer. If you have not had your share yet, then know that it’s coming. If you have been made strong by going through yours then strengthen the Brethrens. If you are still going through, keep leaning on the LORD. Your Deliverance precedes you and you will soon come to your day of rejoicing.  Love you always.

W. Bennett