Apostles or Disciples?
I have a question that I hope you guys can answer through scripture references. Anyways, the other day I was reading the Word and I came across a passage:
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” - Matthew 10: 7-8
And I felt that God was telling me that this was a command. It is our duty to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and drive out demons. This passage is not meant for us to look at and think to ourselves, “Hey! This is pretty neat - I have the ability to do all these things!”. Why would anyone be so dumb as to think that? Sadly, the truth is, all of us think like this (including me). We have the authority to do these things, yet we don’t exercise that authority. Just as Jesus had his mission on earth to die for our sins, we have also been commissioned to do these things.
Now the interesting thing is that when I presented this verse to my parents, my dad read it and said, “Well son, that’s nice, but you have to look at the context of the passage, not just that one verse.” He said that Jesus was speaking specifically to the twelve disciples and not to people in general, and therefore this passage does not really apply to us. I wanted to argue with him and say, “Well then why is it in the Bible?”, but it was late and I wanted to sleep (in fact, I stumbled upon the Scripture just as I was getting into bed).
So my question for you guys is: does this passage apply to us today as Saints and heirs to the throne, or only to the disciples in the past? I’m not only talking about the authority we have, but the fact that it is a command. Any input is highly appreciated.
BE BLESSED!
Jonathan
Hope I’m not speaking disrespectfully, but if we’re going to ignore the verses you mention because it’s out of context, we might as well ignore the Ten Commandments and the majority of the Bible cause it was written to various peoples and technically not to the 21st century believer. The Bible is not part of the Trinity, but Holy Spirit is.
I must agree with your father on this one it was addressed to the disciples of Jesus at the time. Two verses ahead of that it tells them not to go to the gentiles or Samaritans, so we see that it was a specific thing for that point in time. This is not to say that the power of the Holy Spirit cannot do all of that these days, God forbid I should say such a thing! The whole book of Acts was written later and all these things happened. But this scripture cannot be wrenched out of its proper context and made to seem to be what it is not.
As for the Bible it is the inerrant word of God.
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1) and “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.” 1 Peter 10:11.
Jesus is the WORD and he wrote this book as clearly written down here.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 Timothy 16:17.
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I believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). Jesus said you will do greater things than He did(John 14:12-14). A evidence of a good teacher is their student surpasses them. I believe Matthew 10: 7-8 is a command to us…I believe the word of God is the Living Word of God. We are all called to be disciples, not all apostles…that is one of the 4/5 fold ministries (Pastor, Teacher, Prophet, Evangelist, Apostle). I do believe in reading scripture in its context but this is not the only example where Jesus makes reference to His disciples (followers of Christ) to do things like these (Mark 28:15-18). Also you will see in the book of Acts disciples who were not apart of the original 12 having these signs follow them. Remember though of all the gifts, the most important is Love(1 Cor 13)! Love is a action and that love reflects Christ in us. Read the Gospels and you will see the actions of Love in Christs life…as the disciples throughout the rest of the new testament.
Now with that said, I want to encourage you not to worry about healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, etc. Because this doesn’t have anything to do with you…it all about Jesus. In America and in a day when the average Christian prays less than 5 minutes a day and can go days and weeks without reading His word our focus is off and for the most part complacent! We are so prosperious in America we do not have a need for God…look in Deut 8, where God warns Israel of the dangers of prosperity…read Revelations 3 and see if it doesn’t sound like the state of America. Look at the revivals outside of America and read about the Power of God…these are people who are desparate for Jesus and want nothing else but Jesus!
If you seek Jesus, sell out to Him, devoting yourself to Him…you will become more like Him. Things you struggle with will dissappear because you are being more like Him as you grow closer to Him. You realize how blessed and wealthy you are to be born in America (assuming you are in America but you will find contentment in Christ no matter where you are at), you find contentment in your life and you desire to please Jesus and begin to long to spend time with Him. Seek Jesus and pray He will reveal to you what part of the Body of Christ that you are so that you can become and active member of the Body of Christ! There is no secret or magic word to heal someone…the power of the Holy Spirit does that! You just have to seek Jesus and know the voice of the Spirit to do as He directs.
