CHRIST LAYS A FOUNDATION

The Foundation of the Church

Christ chose these men to be the foundation of the church.

Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

See Ephesians 2:19-22...

Christ chose the weak to shame the strong.

See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31...

The Transformation of the Disciples

The disciples had little faith and wavering commitment to Christ.

Mark 4:40 “He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?””

Mark 14:50 “And they all left him and fled.”

Though they were often unfaithful, Christ remained faithful to them.

John 13:1 “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

John 17:12 “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Christ transformed them into bold and faithful servants.

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

The Work of the Apostles

Christ validated the message of the apostles by the works they performed.

John 5:36 “But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.”

2 Corinthians 12:12 “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.” (see Hebrews 2:1-4)

Christ blessed and multiplied the work of the Apostles.

See Matthew 28:18-20...

See John 17:18-24...

Acts 17:6 “And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,”

See Revelation 7:9-10...

Christ uses the work of the Apostles to equip us for ministry.

Ephesians 4:11-16..