The Twelve Apostles

  Matthew10:1

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Context:

Matthew10:1-4

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite,* and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. “NKJV

Recap:  

Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all kinds of sickness and diseases.  The passage then states all their names including Judas, Iscariot who betrayed Him.

In looking at verse 2; it was on this occasion, evidently, that the twelve were now called, “Apostles”.  The title, ”Apostle” means, “delegate”.  It also means one who is sent with a special message or commission.  Jesus was making these twelve men His delegates and His ambassadors to the Israelites.  He gave them power and authority to take the special message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the towns with boldness and confidence that God was with them. 

Can you imagine how these men must have felt or what they thought when Jesus, Himself, gave them authority over demonic forces and power for healing?  I’m sure they were in awe of God’s glory and goodness that was entrusted to them; power from on High displayed through men. 

Now imagine today through Jesus Christ; we who believe in Him as savior and Lord  have also received His Power and His Authority through God’s grace because He dwells in us.  The fact that He dwells in us also enables Him to be with us wherever we go and also work through us as we are surrendered to Him through the power of the Holy Spirit by His grace and glory.  

 “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27- NKJV

May you be encouraged and empowered to know that God is with you and in you to fulfill the great commission as His light bearers and ambassadors to all nations through Him.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore  and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.  Matthew 28:18-20- NKJV.

Filoiann Wiedenhoff