Posts Tagged ‘apostles’
Why did Paul limit his right to marriage to a believing wife?
Question: While studying the scripture with this guide on your website: Paul’s Restraint in Exercising His Liberty, I found this question: Why do you suppose Paul qualified his right to only a sister in Christ and not claim a more general right to marry? It’s a question I have asked too, and I would like to…
Read MoreThe Signs of an Apostle
by Terry Wane Benton The apostles of Jesus were eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus (Acts 1:13f). They had to have personally seen Jesus alive from the dead. Nobody today meets that criterion. But those Jesus chose to be sent out by Him as His personal eyewitnesses were also equipped by the Holy Spirit with miraculous…
Read MoreWhich Apostle Had It the Easiest?
by Perry Hall Which apostle had it the easiest? James. That answer may be surprising. Even more surprising is why and how. In Acts 12, James is martyred first among the apostles. Some may question God’s fairness, and may even complain, “Why did God allow James to die but allowed Peter to live?” Considering the…
Read MoreThe Black Type in the Red-Letter Edition of the New Testament
by Garry Smalley Of course, it is extremely disturbing to read or hear destructive criticisms toward the Holy Bible as unbelievers state disparaging comments regarding the reliability of the God-breathed writings (II Timothy 3:16; cf. II Peter 1:16-21; I Corinthians 2:12-13). But even among Christians, there are some who seek to diminish the authority of…
Read MoreWere the apostles also elders and can there be unmarried elders?
Question: My prayer is that all is well. I have questions regarding the eldership and its qualifications. Based on what the scripture teaches regarding the elders’ qualification (and work to a degree), we read about them in I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9 (along with Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11; and I Peter 5:1-4). Additionally, only the…
Read MoreThe Apostles and Hermeneutics
by Frank Jamerson Some of the articles that I have read lately have confused ridicule with reasoning. They seem to think that if they ridicule commands, examples, and necessary inferences as the basis of authority, they have given a scholarly refutation of pattern authority. One such article concluded: “It seems to me that we ought…
Read MoreDid the apostles have the right to forgive sins?
Question: Dear sir, A question was posted a decade or so ago on John 20:21-23 and whether or not all men could forgive sins. I couldn’t see that the responder actually addressed what was meant by the Apostles having the authority to forgive sins, except to say that they could bind or loose what they…
Read MoreThe Nature of the Apostles’ Inspiration
by Clarence Johnson Sentry Magazine, September 1999 When Jesus sent the apostles out on what is sometimes called the limited commission to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. He told them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware…
Read MoreHandling the Scriptures Aright
by Terry Wane Benton Confusion is present when the scriptures are not “handled aright” (II Timothy 2:15). False teachers handle the word of God “deceitfully” (II Corinthians 4:2). There are basics to handling the scriptures carefully and correctly. Know who is writing, and who they were writing to. We are reading these documents second-hand. They…
Read MoreTo Equip the Saints for Service
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The Organization of the Church The Apostles Prophets What Are Elders Responsible For? Servants of the Church The Purpose of Preaching What Is Teaching?
Read MoreThe Authority of the Apostles
by Mike Johnson Many acknowledge the authority of God and Christ but do not accept or understand the authority of the Apostles. Some people today say we only need the words of Jesus to guide us. Some who take this position place a great deal of emphasis on the red-letter edition of the Bible —…
Read MoreThe Sons of Thunder
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Sons-of-Thunder.mp3 Text: Mark 3:14-19 I. Often when we talk about the apostles, we focus on the notable Peter and Paul. A. There are many things we can learn from their lives, but we also can learn from the examples of the other apostles as well. B. Today I would like to direct your attention to two brothers,…
Read MoreHow did the church in Corinth receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Question: How did the Corinthian church receive the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way? Was it by the laying on hands by the apostles or what? Or does the Bible not say? Answer: The church in Corinth was started by the Apostle Paul (Acts 18). He initially taught there for 18 months (Acts 18:11) and…
Read MoreWas Paul given a different dispensation from the other apostles?
Question: Please, was Paul given a different dispensation from the other apostles? Answer: The word “dispensation” means either a system of rules in place at a particular time or to be exempt from a system of rules. Thus, your question really is whether Paul taught a different gospel from the rest of the apostles. Such…
Read MoreFacing Persecutions Like the Apostles
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FacingPersecutionsLikeTheApostles.mp3 by Steven Harper
Read MoreWhy don’t we have apostles currently?
Question: The Bible says some are called to be apostles (I Corinthians 12:28). Why then do we emphasize that no one fulfills the condition of being an apostle currently? Or is it a similar word but has a different meaning? Answer: An apostle is an ambassador of sorts (i.e., one with official authority to speak…
Read MoreThe Life of the Apostle John
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LifeOfTheApostleJohn.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:20-28 I. Early life A. Matthew 4:21-22 1. His father’s name was Zebedee. His brother was James. 2. He was a fisherman by trade, working with his father and brother. B. Mark 1:20 – His father was prosperous enough to have hired servants C. Luke 5:10-11 – They were partnered with two other…
Read MoreWhich verse says that Judas, the brother of James, is also called Lebbaeus?
Question: Regarding one of the names of the twelve disciples of Jesus: Which verse says that Judas the brother of James is called Lebbaeus? Which verse says they are the same person? Answer: Matthew 10:2-4 Mark 3:16-19 Luke 6:14-16 Acts 1:13 Peter, brother of Andrew Simon, nicknamed Peter Simon, nicknamed Peter, brother of Andrew Peter…
Read MoreWas Philip an apostle?
Question: We have been studying the Bible about baptism. As we were searching through the Scriptures we came across this man called Philip, who was able to perform miracles and stuff. We all know those gifts were given to the apostles only and before anyone can even receive them, an apostle has to lay hands…
Read MoreThe Gospel of the Circumcision and the Uncircumcision
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GospelOfTheCircumcisionAndTheUncircumcision.mp3 Text: Galatians 2:1-10 I. I suppose a casual reader could read verse 7 from our text and come away with the idea that two different messages were being taught. A. One being taught to the Gentiles and a different message being taught to the Jews. B. Yet the goal of the gospel was to unite Jews…
Read MoreHow can the church exist without a succession of apostles?
Question: I happened upon your website today and you mention a few things I’ve been wondering about. I’ve studied Catholicism quite a bit, and am continually searching for Truth, and you seem to be headed there as well. Of course, Jesus is Truth, but how well has that Truth been handed down in 2000 years?…
Read MoreWas Paul a false apostle?
Question: I have recently stumbled onto some information. Apparently, some Christians think that the apostle Paul was a false apostle and false teacher. They say that he taught Jesus “faith only” while Jesus himself clearly taught faith + works. I am deeply troubled by this and feel my world has been turned upside-down just when…
Read MoreWhat Made Paul an Apostle?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WhatMadePaulAnApostle.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 1:11-24 I. Paul was different from the other apostles A. He wasn’t with Jesus when he was on earth B. He was not among the original twelve apostles – Luke 6:12-16 C. He started out as a zealous persecutor of the church D. How is it that Paul claimed to be an…
Read MoreApostolic Succession
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ApostolicSuccession.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-36 I. How do you prove that your brand of Christianity is real? A. For some, the argument is based on who was around the longest. 1. A religion that just recently started is declared to be suspect. If the church has been around for 2,000 years, then where was…
Read MoreJesus’ Disciples – God’s Inner Circle
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall2JesusDisciples.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreApostolic Supremacy
by Clinton D. Hamilton via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 1952. The real issue with reference to religious division is which church is the true one. In an almost unanimous voice, religious people affirm that for a church to be the true one it must teach the identical doctrines revealed by the apostles. The…
Read MoreWho was the last to see Jesus?
Question: Hello, I came across your website a while back while doing a topical web search and bookmarked it as a study source. I’m a member of the Lord’s church and teach a teenage class, some of whom are Christians, some not. I had an interesting question last Lord’s Day from a student: “How do…
Read MoreWere all the books of the New Testament written by apostles?
Question: I need to know some things. I was reading on your site The New Testament Canon outline. I came across this: I-5. 5. From these early Christians we learn that Mark took the various stories told by Peter and placed them in a book as accurately as he could. Peter did not dictate the book directly…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus expect of Peter when he said to feed his sheep?
Question: Our Lord Jesus in John 21 tells the apostle Peter to feed His sheep three times. What role was Peter being told to assume? Is it that of an elder? Which sheep was our Lord talking about? Is it the other apostles and disciples or the church that was going to be established at Jerusalem?…
Read MoreThe Apostles
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Apostles.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 11:1-15 I. I Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-13 A. The world contains many strange ideas regarding apostles. B. The Mormons and some other denominations claim their organization is more truly like the first century church because they have apostles. C. I have had some strong discussions with men who claim the…
Read MoreThe Authority of the Apostles
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/AuthorityOfTheApostles.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:41-47 I. An argument that you frequently hear is “Jesus never said ____ was wrong.” A. It doesn’t matter if the issue is thoroughly discussed in the New Testament, the focus is directed solely on whether Jesus directly made a statement on the subject. B. The implication of the argument…
Read MoreApostolic Succession
by Bryan Matthew Dockens A number of religions practice so-called apostolic succession. Roman Catholics believe the man they call “Pope” is the successor of the apostle Peter. Mormons claim twelve to fifteen apostles at all times. Many Pentecostal congregations identify their preachers as apostles. Such claims are totally inconsistent with the scriptures. The Apostles of…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible tell us about Matthew’s life?
Question: What was the life of Matthew in biblical days? Answer: “As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. It happened as he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners…
Read MoreI don’t think you proved Paul to be an apostle
Question: There are so much strife and debate among the world and believers in Christ that it seems to be a waste of time that we debate among ourselves. So please understand that I do not come in the spirit of debate, but truly searching the Scriptures to see if it is so. Sha’ul (Paul)…
Read MoreHow did Paul learn the gospel?
Question: I was wondering about Paul. I have heard the theory that he went out to a certain place and maybe had been mentored or so to say by Jesus himself or had been mentored by someone when he was converted. I know McGarvey speaks on the subject a tad bit, but I was wondering…
Read MoreHow do we decide what offices in Ephesians 4:11 remain?
Question: Ephesians 4:11 (King James Version): “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” Question: Since all offices were given for the same reason according to verse 12, how do we decide which offices still remain? Answer: By the qualifications for the offices. Apostles were selected by…
Read MoreWhat were the professions of the twelve apostles?
Question: What were the professions of the twelve apostles? I know four were fishermen. What about the rest? Answer: The original twelve apostles were: Simon Peter or Cephas fisherman – Matthew 4:18 Andrew fisherman – Matthew 4:18 James fisherman – Matthew 4:18 John fisherman – Matthew 4:18 Philip Nathaniel or Bartholomew Levi or Matthew tax…
Read MoreDoes “disciple” refer to the apostles or all of Jesus’ followers?
Question: When the scriptures speak of “the disciples” or “his disciples,” how can we know if the apostles are meant? Answer: The only way to tell is to look at the context of how the word is used and even then that is not a guarantee. Obviously, if they are named or if it refers…
Read MoreDid the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at the last supper or on Pentecost?
Question: A question about John 20:22: “And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Did the Apostles receive the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost or at this time? Or was Jesus speaking in the future tense corresponding with the other Scriptures? The…
Read MoreObjections to Paul’s apostleship
Question: It seems Paul compromised what he taught and preached. It’s like me saying I’m going to a bar to get drunk and preach Christ Paul was a self-appointed apostle. When Christ chose the other twelve apostles, they were a witness to each other. Paul appears to be a bully and argued with everyone. He…
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