Topical Bible: Call: To Special Religious Duty: Apostles

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The concept of being called to a special religious duty is a significant theme throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament with the calling of the apostles. The apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers and to carry out His mission on earth. This calling was not merely an invitation but a divine appointment to a sacred office, imbued with authority and responsibility.

The Calling of the Twelve Apostles

The calling of the apostles is a pivotal moment in the Gospels. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls His first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:18-20). This immediate response underscores the compelling nature of Jesus' call.

In the Gospel of Mark, the selection of the twelve is described with particular emphasis on their appointed mission: "He appointed twelve whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons" (Mark 3:14-15). This passage highlights the dual purpose of their calling: to be with Jesus and to be sent out as His representatives.

The Role and Authority of the Apostles

The apostles were endowed with unique authority and responsibilities. They were entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel, the establishment of the early Church, and the performance of miracles as a testament to their divine commission. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus sends out the twelve with specific instructions: "He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick" (Luke 9:2). This mission was a continuation of Jesus' own ministry, extending His work through His chosen emissaries.

The authority of the apostles is further emphasized in the Gospel of John, where Jesus breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld" (John 20:22-23). This conferral of the Holy Spirit signifies the empowerment of the apostles to carry out their divine mandate.

The Apostolic Commission

The Great Commission, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, encapsulates the ultimate calling of the apostles: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). This commission extends the scope of their mission to all nations, underscoring the universal nature of the Gospel message.

The Apostolic Foundation of the Church

The apostles are foundational to the Church, as described in the book of Acts and the epistles. In Ephesians, Paul writes, "So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19-20). This metaphor of the Church as a building highlights the integral role of the apostles in establishing the early Christian community.

The Legacy of the Apostolic Calling

The calling of the apostles set a precedent for subsequent generations of Christian leaders and missionaries. Their example of faithfulness, sacrifice, and dedication to the Gospel continues to inspire believers to respond to God's call in their own lives. The apostolic calling serves as a model of divine selection and empowerment for the purpose of advancing God's kingdom on earth.

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Matthew 4:18-22
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
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Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
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Mark 1:16,17
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
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Mark 2:14
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
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Mark 3:13-19
And he goes up into a mountain, and calls to him whom he would: and they came to him.
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Luke 5:27
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me.
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Luke 6:13-15
And when it was day, he called to him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
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John 15:16
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
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Library

Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty.
... for knowing Christ, and many special evidences of ... But those who while they call
themselves Christ's ... sincerely, no matter what his religious principles, (say ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xix confessing christ an.htm

The Yoke of Christ.
... who above the rest may be taken to remind us of the duty of mortification, it ... If
you call to mind some of the traits of that special religious character to ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... do proclaim it, does he not call upon them ... by his authority, no part of religious
duty is uninculcated ... and when faith is commanded without special reference to ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... whom, as we are told, repentance offered special difficulties ... those whom they look
upon as the religious and pious ... Perhaps he may have witnessed the call of the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Preface to the First Edition.
... of to-day would identify himself with the religious leaders of ... In proof, I would
call special attention to Appendix IX ... to what was the third special object in ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/preface to the first edition.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... single individuals, who by a religious profession are ... their infirmity, stand in need
of special pacification, and ... we feel alarmed, and sighing call upon him. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

John Wycliffe.
... into dispute with them as to call the minds of ... Representatives from the four religious
orders, with four ... preserved and prepared by God's special providence for ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /5 john wycliffe.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... keep His commandments, will especially call upon them ... The special characteristic
of the beast, and therefore ... very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

John Wycliffe
... into dispute with them as to call the minds of ... Representatives from the four religious
orders, with four ... preserved and prepared by God's special providence for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 5 john wycliffe.htm

A Fall and a Recovery, 1800-1857.
... No deputy could possibly do his duty unless he knew ... like a body without a spirit."
We call easily see ... and only those, who made a special religious profession. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii a fall and.htm