Template:Apostles

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To think like Christ, you may need to change the way you think. That changing of the mind is called repentance.
We are warned about a strong delusion that will deceive many.
Jesus, according to his own words, came to take the kingdom[1] from those who were teaching something different from what Moses told the people to do.
Their Corban was an error that God hates[2] and was making the word of God to none effect.
Jesus appointed a kingdom[3] to His Apostles so that they would bear witness and through the Holy Spirit so the people could repent and bear fruit.
Through Christ, the world might be saved[4] if the people would repent and seek the kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Many modern Christians do not practice "pure Religion".[5]
In fact, they often engage in "covetous practices' going to the Fathers of the earth[6] who call themselves benefactors but exercise authority one over the other[7] to set the table[8] of which early Christians would not eat because they were a snare[9] and idolatry.[10]


Apostolos

The word Apostolos is from the Greek word apostello meaning to send, to order (one) to go to a place appointed. An ambassador from Greece would be called an Apostolos and certainly the Apostles were ambassadors from the kingdom of God to the world. It appears 78 times as apostle but twice as messenger. It could include anyone who is a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.

While it might be "specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ," in a broader sense it is also applied to others who are spiritually sent or delegated by God as prophets or teachers or any task based on the righteousness and Will of God.

The kingdom of God is one form of government where its ministers are servants with no offices where men exercise authority one over another because Jesus said it was not to be that way with us.

There is only one denomination of His Church because Christ and His doctrine is the only common denominator.

Only God delegates men to be His Apostles. If any man preach a doctrine other than that which Jesus taught, he is clearly not an apostle of Jesus.

An apostle may have authority over things that by their nature and circumstance belong to God. This would be things freely given to men who actually are separate from the world and actually belong to God.

The apostles seemed to actually have belonged to God as they considered themselves to be His bondservants saying there is another king, often doing contrary to the decrees of Caesar.[11]


Ambassadors of Christ

An ambassador of Christ could certainly be called an apostle if he or she was truly sent from the kingdom of God to the world by way of the Holy Spirit.

The term Apostolos clearly appears 78 times as apostle in the Bible, but the real question is how would you know if someone was truly sent by God?

And what would that look like?

They would be doing what Christ commanded and conforming to the directives of Christ to His Disciples and the Doctrine of Jesus concerning his ministers.

Christ was the king of Judea and took the kingdom from the false ministers of Moses and appointed it to His trained disciples.

What the early Church did can give us insight into what an ambassador did.

Ambassadors of others

Many people claiming to be ambassador of Christ fail to meet the guidelines for Christ's ministers.

If men calling themselves apostles or bishops are not conforming to the instructions of Christ, they may be some other King's apostle.

There are lots of things that can give us insight into what a bishop was expected to do and be. And there are examples of what they should not be doing.

Ambrose was a bishop of a church overseen and funded by Constantine. But many of these new bishops who oversaw that daily ministration of free bread which included covetous practices with an appetite for the dainties of Constantine or other.

The people who chose to at the tables of rulers should have put a knife to their throat because what should have been for their welfare was a snare.


Listen to Audio The Church (Ekklesia in Greek or Qahal in Hebrew) - Then and Now. How is the church different today than the first century?, Essenes, Dead Sea Scrolls, Apostles = Ambassadors, "Swear not!"...

Listen to Second Audio

Audio notes

Was Christ really King? Structure of government in Christ's time,

Why did the pharisees ask permission from Rome to kill Christ?

Making covenants

What is "faithfulness"?

Herod the Great's method,

Dead stones vs. living stones,

A word or two on oaths

Hosanna in the highest!

The "palm" tradition,

Christ in the treasury,

Apostles = ambassadors,

Church is a government,

"This Rock",

Who has the Keys of the Kingdom?

  1. Kingdom Taken
    Matthew 2:6 "And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor(2233), that shall rule my people Israel."
    Matthew 9:16  "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.  17  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved." Jesus did not just reform the kingdom.
    Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Jesus would take it as priest and king.
    Luke 13:9 "And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down." The Corbans of the world were covetous practices
    John 19:15...19 "But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar." The kingdom taken by the words of their own mouth.
    John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." The people must seek The Way.
    John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
    Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
    Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;"
    Mark 15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
    Acts 17:7 "Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."
    1 Peter 2:9 "But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
    See Taking and Giving the Kingdom
  2. The way of error
    2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
    Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots(not "unspotted" like Pure Religion) in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"
    Revelation 2:14-17 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication ("to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry"). 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]."
    Ezekiel 16:49 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
  3. Appoint a kingdom
    Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."
    Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
    Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;"
    John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
  4. Might be saved
    John 3:17 “‭17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
    John 5:34 “‭34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.”
    Romans 10:1 “‭1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
    1 Thessalonians 2:16 “‭16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”
    2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 “‭10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ‭11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ‭12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
  5. Religious
    Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious(sebomai Worship) proselytes(a newcomer) followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
    Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion (threskeia) I lived a Pharisee.
    Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion(Ioudaismos), how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion(Ioudaismos) above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
    James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious(thresko), and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion(threskeia) [is] vain. 27 Pure religion(katharosthreskeia) and undefiled(amiantos-not defiled) before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted (undefiled-free from vice) from the world.
  6. Fathers of the earth
    Matthew 23:9 "And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
    Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
    Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
    Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
    John 14:26 "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
    Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
    2 Corinthians 6:18 "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
    1 John 3:1 ¶ "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
  7. Not exercise authority
    Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:..."
    Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."
    Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."
  8. Two tables
    Psalms 69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents."
    Romans 11:8 "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway."
    1 Corinthians 10:20 "But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils." (See the sacrifice of fools in Ecclesiastes 5:1)
    Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. (see "portion to seven" Ecclesiastes 11:2 and Acts 6.)
    Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
    Isaiah 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit [and] filthiness, [so that there is] no place [clean]. 9 ¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:
    Malachi 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible.
    Malachi 1:12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.
    Malachi 2:2 "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings<01293>: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart." See wages of unrighteousness and snare.
    Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
    1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" (see merchandise)
  9. Table as a snare
    Psalms 69:22-23 “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake."”
    Romans 11:9 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”
    Proverbs 23:1 "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."
    Exodus 23:32 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."
    Exodus 34:12 "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:"
    Deuteronomy 7:16 "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee."
    Judges 2:2 "And ye shall make no league [covenant] with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?"
    Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
    Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” Swear not
    Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth."
    1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
  10. Covetousness is idolatry
    Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"
    Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
    1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
  11. Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.