Jesus Gives the 12 Authority

The big idea in this passage is for the kingdom of God to be preached. To bring about new special revelation. To bring authority to the special revelation God gave them the authority to do miracles to give authenticity to the special revelation. The revelation being that the kingdom of God is at hand and that the king is among them!!

Apostles

In v.1, “He gathered the 12,” and in v.2 “sent them out.”

The Greek word for “sent out” is apostello, apostolos or apostles.

Definition of Apostle

An apostle is literally one who has been sent out.

When someone is an apostle, you arrive at the place with the same authority as the one who has sent you.

Matt 21:33-41

When Anabelle and Judah are at the neighbors house, and I send Caleb to call them home for dinner. When Caleb shows up, he has authority for he is giving the message that I have given him. His authority doesn’t come from himself when he says “it’s time to go home for dinner.” The message comes from me.

The apostle is one who speaks and delivers a message, but not on their own authority, it is on the authority of the one who sent them.

12 Apostles

What sets the 12 apostles apart is this. They were sent out specifically by Jesus and given special authority by Jesus to do miraculous things. We refer to this as the office of apostleship.

The requirements of the office of apostle are:

They were disciples of Jesus.

They were a witness to the resurrection.

They recieved an immediate call from Jesus.

All the 12 apostles fit this description except for Paul who doesn’t fit the 1st requirement. However Paul was brought before the other apostles who’s offices’ were not in question and they critiqued him and recognized him as an apostle.

The office of apostle. Those who were sent out directly by Jesus with His power and authority…and they are no longer around.

Power and Authority

v.1, Jesus gave them power and authority over these things.

This wasn’t something that came from them having enough faith or believing strong enough. This was given by Jesus.

Purpose of Authority

The job of the apostles wasn’t first and foremost to physically heal the nation of Israel. Their job was to proclaim the kingdom.

The apostles were bringing a time of new, special revelation to the people of God. They were given authority to perform miracles as “credentials” for the words that they were speaking to prove that their message was from God.

In scripture miracles take place at the time when God was delivering new information to give validity to the words that His prophets were speaking.

The miracles naturally ceased as the time of special revelation came to an end. As the cannon of scripture closed.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Before God revealed himself through prophets, now he has revealed himself through his son, who has given us His words in written form. This portion of time is now closed.

The Holy Spirit is Still Working

The Holy Spirit does still heal people in miraculous ways. It takes place through prayer not the authority of an individual.

God speaks to us through the exposition of His word.

God opens doors and closes others. So that we might plan our ways, but God directs our steps.

God is still working and still using us.

Take No Supplies

Speed of the Journey

This was a message that needed to get out, to be preached.

They didn’t have social media, Jesus was using the 12 to go and let the countryside know that their king had come.

Provision of God

God was wanting them to go through a time where they learned to trust Him. Where they saw that He would provide for them through others.

Shake Off the Dust

A Hebrew idiom meaning to leave that place disdainfully.

Don’t pour all your energy into people who aren’t really prepared to listen.

Matthew 7:6 ESV

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Proverbs 9:7 ESV

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

The scoffer, the fool. They will hate what you are saying. They may even injure you for it.

Shaking off the dust mean, you have done what you could do. You have told them about Jesus and they have rejected Him. You have no more responsibility to that place or that person.

You are responsible to for your own obedience to the call of God. You are not responsible for how people receive it.

Are You Being Faithful?

Before you can shake off the dust from your feet, you have to go their. You need to bring the message to the people.

Are you being a faithful witness to those who don’t know Jesus?

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Be ready to give a defense. Know what you believe and why you believe it.

To anyone who asks: Peter is making the statement that people will be asking you....

Is your life so radically different than other people’s that they want to know what you have hope in?

Herod

What was happening didn’t escape notice. Herod was worried thinking maybe John was back from the dead.

What the apostles were doing didn’t escape notice.

We may not be performing miracles, but do people notice the difference in you?