The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
33<br />
Qualifications for <strong>the</strong> Twelve<br />
1. <strong>The</strong>y had been with Jesus from <strong>the</strong> beginning (Acts 1:21-22).<br />
2. <strong>The</strong>y had seen <strong>the</strong> risen Christ and could <strong>the</strong>refore testify to His resurrection.<br />
(Acts 1:22; Gal. 1:16; I Cor. 15:8)<br />
3. <strong>The</strong>y had a personal call from Christ (Mk.3:14; Jn. 20:21).<br />
4. <strong>The</strong>ir ministry was characterized by signs, wonders and miracles.<br />
(II Cor. 12:12; Mk. 16:14-20; Heb. 2:3-4; Rom 15:17-19; Acts 14:3)<br />
• Signs—Refers to <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> miraculous deeds signifying some truth to be learned.<br />
• Wonders—Refers to something that is observed and kept in <strong>the</strong> memory. It means<br />
to “watch, keep or observe” and is used always with <strong>the</strong> word “signs.”<br />
• Miracles—Refers to <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> God behind <strong>the</strong> miraculous deeds.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se terms are used on 53 occasions to refer to <strong>the</strong> miracles <strong>of</strong> Christ at both His first and<br />
second comings. <strong>The</strong>y are used 5 times to refer to Satan or <strong>the</strong> Antichrist. <strong>The</strong>y are used 49 times<br />
to refer to miracles performed in <strong>the</strong> days <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> apostles. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se refer to <strong>the</strong> “mighty<br />
works” done by <strong>the</strong> apostle <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
<strong>The</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se “mighty works” was confirmation. <strong>The</strong>y confirmed <strong>the</strong> message <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
early apostles (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).<br />
Ministry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Twelve<br />
1. <strong>The</strong>y gave doctrinal foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church (Acts 2:42). Jesus’ promise that when <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong> came that He would lead His people into all truth (Jn.14:26; 16:13) found its greatest<br />
fulfillment in <strong>the</strong> New Testament revelation. This revelation was accepted by <strong>the</strong> early church as<br />
belonging to <strong>the</strong> Old Testament revelation and was <strong>the</strong>refore accepted as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> Scripture.<br />
Only those books which were written by <strong>the</strong> apostolic circle or <strong>the</strong>ir close associates ( e.g. Mark<br />
Luke, James, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Jesus, Paul) were accepted as Scripture.<br />
2. <strong>The</strong>y provided <strong>the</strong> structural foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church (Eph. 2:20). <strong>The</strong> apostles were<br />
<strong>the</strong> first to receive <strong>the</strong> keys <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kingdom (Mt. 18:18-19) and <strong>the</strong>reby were enabled to open <strong>the</strong><br />
door for <strong>the</strong> gospel to <strong>the</strong> Jews (Acts 2:38-41; Gal. 2:7) to half-Jews (Samaritans--Acts 8:14-17)<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Gentiles (Acts 1:8; 8:1,4).