APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
In Acts 1:16 to 26 we read that when Judas, the son of perdition, committed suicide, in fulfillment of the Scriptures, (John 17:12), it was necessary also in fulfillment of the Scriptures (Psalms 41:9 and Psalms 69:25 and 26) that a successor be selected to take the place of Judas. “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:25 and 26. Then there were again twelve apostles.
Then in the next chapter we read that, in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, ‘PETER WITH THE ELEVEN’ stood up and addressed devout Jews from every nation under heaven, ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. (Acts 2:14 - Acts 2:5 - Acts 2:36). All of the house of Israel means TWELVE TRIBES (Acts 26:7). So on the day of Pentecost, in Israel’s city, TWELVE APOSTLES addressed TWELVE TRIBES. From many Scriptures in the Bible we know that “TWELVE” is the number of Israel.
But “one” seems to be the number of the Church of the mystery, “Christ and the Church, one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31 and 32). “One New Man.” (Ephesians 2:15). “One Body.” (Ephesians 4:4). The Body is One - even Christ, and the members baptized by One Spirit into One Body. (Romans 12:4 and 5 - I Corinthians 12:12 and 13). Note the seven “Ones” in Ephesians 4:3 to 7.
The revelation concerning the One Body, the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6, was given first to one apostle, “the apostle of the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:13). Paul called himself the masterbuilder who laid the foundation. (I Corinthians 3:10). In conference he received no authority from Peter and the Eleven. (Galatians 2:1 to 9).
The historic beginning of the One Body was surely before Paul wrote I Corinthians or Romans. “The dispensation of the grace of God,” “the dispensation of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:1 to 5 - Ephesians 3:9) began when and because of the fall of Israel. Surely Israel had not fallen when the Lord, by Paul, warned them, in Acts 13:40 to 42.
To any spiritual intelligent student of the Scriptures the selection of a twelfth apostle after Christ’s death and prayer on the cross (Luke 23:34) proves that God was still dealing with Israel. Christ would not have needed the twelfth apostle, if the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1 to 3) began on the day of Pentecost.
But when another one of the twelve died, according to Acts 12:1 and 2 (James), no successor was chosen to maintain the number “TWELVE.” The keys of the kingdom had been used. (Matthew 16:16 to 19 - Acts 3:19 to 21). During the years covered by the last sixteen chapters of Acts, there is no record of the missionary activities, words or doings of Peter and the Ten, except as they had dealings with one man, Paul, who is mentioned more than 130 times in those chapters where four or five of his missionary journeys are recorded.
Now be a Berean and remember as you read Acts 17:11 and I John 2:26 to 28, that God will not wink at your ignorance, if you follow blind leaders. Answer these questions: Why was a successor chosen to take the place of Judas? Why were TWELVE men required to represent Christ on Israel’s religious feast day Pentecost? Why did the representatives of those Twelve Tribes sell their Jerusalem real estate and give the money to the twelve apostles? What is the significance of Matthew 19:28 that those Twelve apostles are going to sit on twelve thrones and judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel? Why after Peter had used the Key of the Kingdom with Israel and the household of Cornelius and the apostle James died, was no successor to James chosen to keep the number Twelve? Why are no missionary journeys of the TWELVE outside of the land of the Jews recorded in the Book of Acts? What is the meaning of Galatians 2:1 to 9?
What is the Gospel?
Believing
Christ died, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto
you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto
you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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Bible: King James Version
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com
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