The Apostles & Evangelism

#1: The Permanent Principle of Power

 

Our ability to share our faith, is only hampered by our ignorance of Satan’s schemes against us. We have everything it takes to spread the gospel. The Spirit’s presence in our life, prayer and the word of God will give us everything we need to plant the seed of the Kingdom in hearts around us. We can learn to counter Satan’s schemes by looking at the examples of disciples who became the apostles of Christ. They are named in Mt. 10:2-4 & Mk. 3:16-19, Lk. 6:13-16, Ac. 1:13. They are eternally recorded for us to discover and use in expressing our faith to lost souls. These are all common men from despised Galilee, but yet had a faith which grew in the power, knowledge & grace of God in Jesus. If their faith can grow, so can yours!

Many Christians today, neglect to consider the Apostles as exemplary in evangelism, because of their unique use of miracles. We sometimes feel the phenomenal physical power they exhibited, somehow means we cannot possibly imitate their faith. But regardless of performing miracles, we need to appreciate the fact that none of the Apostles ever moved a physical mountain as Jesus promised. So what did he mean when he said, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you, Mt. 17:14-27. Jesus meant, that WHATEVER God tells you to do, if you have just a little faith, you will be able to do it. Peter had a huge mountain in his life. The mountain of paying tax to foreigners. But he went ahead in faith and caught the fish, Jesus told him to, and was able to pay the tax. What is your “mountain”?

All the disciples of Jesus, when given the command and opportunity to work miracles, were indeed, weak. They needed more faith in order to do the job Jesus wanted them to do. How do we increase our faith? This question is answered with a similar phrase of Jesus, in transplanting a tree. Luke 17:5-10. Humility and earnest Servanthood go hand in hand. The disciples, who stayed close to Jesus and learnt this principle, grew to be apostles performing miracles later when Jesus left. Adopting a humble attitude is something we do. Growing our faith, is something only Jesus can do. The apostle Paul commanded every Christian to maintain the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5-8.  What is it that stops us from adopting a humble, submissive attitude towards Jesus as Lord? Once we do this, then God can give us a measure of faith to strengthen us and grow morally, Romans 12:3. Once our faith starts growing, we find ourselves wanting to share it. No one lights a candle and then hides it’s light. The very nature of faith in the gospel is enlightening and needs to be shared.

The disciples were convinced of God wanting them to obey Jesus as Lord. What commands of God, do we really want to obey? Sometimes we doubt whether or not God wants us to evangelise. We may think it’s the preachers job, or the elders role. Are we convinced evangelism is our responsibility? If we are doubting this, we will never fulfil it.  But having the gracious love and knowledge for sharing our faith in the gospel is the work of an evangelist, no matter how long you’ve been a Christian.

The apostles were 12 in number for a reason. 12 is used in various ways to signify delegated divine power.

† The 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) constituting the Tribes, which Jesus refers to in Matthew 19:28.  Joshua had 12 stones commemorating the Tribes crossing of the Jordan in Gilgal, Josh. 4:1-24.  Connected to this is the 12 jewels representing the Tribes on the High Priest’s Breastplate for judgement, Ex. 39:8-14. We rule as Christians to win in judgement.

† The 12 loaves of showbread in Lev. 24:5-9, Ex. 25:30, which Paul refers to in 1 st. Cor. 5:1-8.  Jesus was the Lamb of God from within the Passover, we are the unleavened bread of this Feast. Commemorating God’s power in us to give life to the world. Proclaiming the resurrected body of Jesus.

† The 12 parts of the Holy Spirit’s fruit describing the new creation He grows in each Christian. As well as the 12 fruits on the tree of life in Revelation 22:2. The leaves of this tree has power to heal pagans. The fruit of it gives life the saints thrive on.

1. Love, Gal. 5:22

2. Joy, Gal. 5:22

3. Peace, Gal. 5:22

4. Patience, Gal. 5:22

5. Goodness, Gal. 5:22, Eph. 5:9.

6. Faithfulness, Gal. 5:22

7. Kindness, Gal. 5:22

8. Gentleness, Gal. 5:23

9. Self-control, Gal. 5:23

10. Holiness, Romans 6:22

11. Righteousness, Ephesians 5:9,

 Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18

12. Truthfulness, Ephesians 5:9

No one can doubt that the apostles were all common Galilean sinners, but they also were great examples of spiritual maturity and power. Let’s learn from them as we grow the fruit of the Spirit and share the good news.