1279. Apostles–Sent Ones
Apostles–Sent Ones
"And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named Apostles" (Luk_6:13).
The word "apostle," means "sent." We must not think that God had only twelve apostles, for all believers are apostles.
Even now we can hear the voice of God say: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Are we ready to answer "Here, am I, Lord–Send Me"?
We read of, "Paul, an Apostle." We read of Barnabas and of certain women, who "were of note among the Apostles." Are we then not apostles? The word "apostles" is used thirty times in the Book of Acts. Indeed the Book is known as the Acts of the Apostles. Is not God making record of another Book, the acts of present-day apostles?
The Lord Jesus Christ said, "As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."
When we think how the Lord Jesus Christ traveled back and forth over the land of Judea, and Samaria, we should be stirred within us.
When we remember the travels of the Apostle Paul, how he went forth, sent of God, from city to city, and from country to country, our hearts should be stirred within us.
The Lord Jesus Christ has said, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Have we gone? We have been sent, but have we obeyed?
The Lord said unto Philip, "Arise and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert." Philip arose and went. We all know the result of that trip. It was the conversion of the Ethiopian. Have we gone?
How often has the Lord said, "Go." Have we been disobedient unto the Heavenly vision? The salvation of lost men depends on our going. A beautiful story is told of a supposed occurrence in Heaven which is well worth our thought:
"Gabriel is represented as saying, 'Lord, You died for the whole world, did You not?' 'Yes.' 'You must have suffered very much, indeed.' 'Yes,' The Saviour then answered: 'I have trodden the winepress alone.' 'But do they all know You died for them?' persisted the angel. 'Just a little handful in Jerusalem know about it, so far,' answered Jesus. 'What plan have You made to tell the world that You died for them?' persisted the angel. 'I have told Peter and James and John and a few others to tell still others, and these to tell still others, until all the world has heard the story!' 'But,' Gabriel answered doubtfully, 'suppose, Lord, that after awhile Peter forgets; suppose John loses his enthusiasm and does not tell the others, and that the other Christians down there get so busy they forget to tell still others, what then?' The quiet voice of the Lord Jesus came back, 'Gabriel, I have not made any other plans, I AM COUNTING ON THEM.'"
The story above should stir our souls to more faithful activity as apostles, the sent ones of Jesus Christ.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR