The Apostles and Sign Gifts #2

We know we can trust the apostles because they were eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Jesus personally appointed them in a way that was witnessed by others at the time they had signs that accompanied them that showed that there was a unique power upon them that authorize them to speak to welcome you again to the truth with Don green founding pastor of truth Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and today Don continues teaching God's people. God's hideout feels right. Removing further into our series title spirit today. Don has part two of a message titled the apostles and sign gifts last time Don began a look at the credentials of the apostles, we saw that the apostles were directly pointed by Christ, and were eyewitnesses of the resurrection today. Our teacher will look at 1/3 qualification, the ability to perform miracles will be reminded that these apostles were unique as were their sign gifts suffer and have your Bible open as we join Pastor John Green in the pulpit. First Corinthians chapter 9 as we read about the apostle Paul. First Corinthians chapter 9 verse one all this is so important.

It is a blessing from God to me to be able to say these things even though a lot of people would disagree. Here we seen the apostles were directly appointed by Christ. Secondly, we get to a qualification and that is this the apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection they were eyewitnesses of the resurrection. First Corinthians chapter 9. The apostle Paul speaking about his own testimony, he says this am I not free.

Am I not an apostle. What comes next after that.

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord.

He says I'm an apostle. I've seen Jesus raised from the dead he saw the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and so Paul was qualified to be an apostle, even though he had not walked with Christ during his earthly ministry. The eyewitness factor is essential to it all. Now, one more passage.

First John the book of first John, the letter first John after Hebrews after James after Peter first John chapter 1 beginning in verse one, first John chapter 1 verse one the apostle John. Speaking of his own experiences in speaking collectively as a representative of the apostolic circle says this in chapter 1 verse one. What was from the beginning what we have heard what we have seen with our eyes.

What we have looked at and touched with our hands concerning the word of life.

He says I am writing to you. He opens this letter saying I am writing to you about realities with which I have first-hand experience through my human senses through my eyes through my ears through my hands I am. I have been in direct contact with Christ and I speak to you from that privileged position.

Verse two gives a parenthetical explanation about who this word of life is. He says the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the father and was manifested to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also so that you too may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ.

He says Christ came and appeared to us and like a link in the chain. Having received this from Christ I now give to you what we have seen and heard.

He says I realize that you don't have the direct contact with Christ that the applicant that the apostles of had spent so I'm giving to you that which you do not have on your own. I speak as an apostle John says with unique authority and he emphasizes the eyewitness role that he had to be able to do so. This was part of the qualification to be an apostle. If you had not seen the resurrected Christ.

You could not be an apostle of his now we know that there is no one alive today.

There is no one alive in the past, 1900 years who could possibly have that qualification it's impossible for anyone to have that qualification in their life today because where is Christ right where is it what he do he ascended up into heaven, he was received into the clouds beyond human site. He is in a place where human eyes on earth cannot lay upon him human eyes cannot see him now, and therefore there cannot possibly be any apostles today because it is impossible to meet qualification. There are no eyewitnesses living today or at any time in the past, 1900 years who saw the resurrected Lord in human flesh with human eyes. The apostolic office does not exist today because the apostolic qualification as a physical eyewitness of the resurrection of Christ cannot exist today. Now why is that so important. I actually asked the question a little differently. Why isn't this discussed more often because this settles so many issues for us. Why is it so important. Beloved. This is this is the hinge of spiritual health for you in the midst of a difficult spiritual environment in which we live today are the apostolic qualification so important. It fixes the body of men who could represent Christ and speak as his representative because the apostolic qualification can no longer be reproduced. It is not possible for a man to speak on behalf of Christ in the same way that the apostles did everything that we speak today is derivative. We explain what the apostles had given were not giving new revelation like the apostles did in their writings.

This is the distinction we teach a fixed body of revelation that is being given rather than adding to it by claims that God has spoken to us and therefore we have a union need to step back might compound sentences getting too complex or we cannot speak as though we have received direct revelation from God from God directly to my mind is a 21st-century man and see even Samuel was giving his voice of affirmation to everything that I'm saying right now. Thank you, Samuel, you're right on body. The apostolic qualification to be an eyewitness of the resurrection of Christ limits the body of men through which revelation could be given. It limits to a specified number.

Those who can speak for Christ on his behalf. Martyn Lloyd Jones saw the implication of this when he said and I quote the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. We must therefore reject every suppose a new revelation every addition to doctrine, we must assert that all teaching and all doctrine must be tested in the light of the Scriptures." That is why beloved one reason, among others.

But that is why I never stand before you and say something like God spoke to me and this is what God said, God does not speak to me like he spoke to the apostles, he doesn't speak to any of you like.

He spoke to and through the apostles were not eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Christ, and Christ in his infinite wisdom limited the circle of men through which he would give his revelation, so that, for all time. We would have a standard by which to measure teaching and we would know for all time that we don't have to chase after men claiming that God has spoken to them as if they have a revelation that was not given to us as if God has given them something that is withheld from us. It's the foundation of the apostles and we build on that we do not expand the foundation we simply build on what has already been given to us through those men now you say, but there aren't any apostles though all the apostles are gone and there might be a sense in which you feel a sense of panic symbol and how do we hear from God. If he's not speaking in that way today will what did the apostles do they wrote and wrote and wrote under the inspiration of God, and rather than having men living men who speak God's word to us.

We have a living word that has been given to us a fixed written word delivered to us making in New Testament terms by the apostolic circle and it is that to which we go to see what God says is that to which we go to hear God speak.

It is that to which we go to find the authority of God. That's why we teach God's word is because God is spoken in the Scriptures now in the Scriptures were given through the apostles. What does that mean the apostolic qualifications have expired. The apostles are gone.

What does that mean for us. The finality of the apostles tells us that new revelation has ceased its over there is not new revelation coming from God like he gave in the Scriptures 2000 years ago.

Now the third and final qualification here that leads into our future discussions in future weeks. Thirdly, the apostles had power to perform real miracles. The apostles had power to perform real miracles miracles that were visible that were obvious that were undeniable that could not be replicated by others we saw in Mark chapter 3 that Jesus gave authority to cast out demons. Look at Matthew chapter 10 were just going to go through some some various passages very quickly here today, and in some ways. In some ways were were just kinda getting started today were going to break off midcourse because it was just too much for a single message. Matthew chapter 10 verse one.

They both start with them. That's the best I can say for myself.

Matthew chapter 10 verse one.

Jesus summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, and then we go through the list of the 12 names again versus two through four. Notice what he did and to whom he did it. He identifies the 12 and he gives them authority.

He conveys he confers to them the authority which resides in him as the omnipotent son of God. He gives them a unique authority to go out and do supernatural things to cast out unclean spirits to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Notice that every kind of disease every kind of sickness. You don't see that happening today allotted.

I realize there are men claiming that they're doing miracles. But what kind of miracles are they doing are they getting new lambs in objective settings to people who were born without them or they opening the eyes of people who wants blind, who were born blind.

I should say real back pain revealing things like that that are not objectively verifiable. If you have the power to heal every kind of sickness. In other words, if you have apostolic power. Like the Lord gave, and the first thing you ought to do is run to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and empty the place you know I don't do that because I don't have apostolic power to do tricks on a stage like you're some kind of magician with sleight-of-hand, sleight-of-hand, however, that words pronounced is not in apostolic miracle.

The cheap fraud, as we'll see in future years.

Future weeks. I'll probably talk about this years from now floor gives me the opportunity. The Scripture emphasizes this apostolic action repeatedly. I want you to turn to the book of acts and will go through some passages really quickly. This time begins to get away from me. Acts chapter 2 beginning in verse 42. Acts chapter 2, verse 42 will start at verse 41, I guess those who had received Peter's word were baptized, and that day there were added about 3000 souls. What were they doing verse 42 they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of all, and many wonders and signs were taking place. Keep reading beloved through the apostles.

The signs and wonders were taking place through the apostles who had been given that authority. Look at chapter 14 will skip a couple to skip one anyway to chapter 14 verses three and four. Acts chapter 14 beginning in verse two. The Jews who disbelieve stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore, they spent a long time. They are speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord was testifying to the word of his grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands by whose hands he explains, but the people of the city were divided and some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles with the apostles, who were doing the signs and wonders by their hands, look at acts chapter 19 beginning in verse eight Paul is teaching here in verse eight it says that he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading with them about the kingdom of God. He's teaching how did they know that his teaching was true. How did they know that Paul was to be believed. Verse 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul by the hands of Paul so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick and the diseases left them in this evil spirits went out the signs of an apostle were taking place. The signs that Jesus had given them a Unique Authority Were Taking Pl. in Romans chapter 15. If you turn there with me. Romans chapter 15 beginning in verse 18 Paul here is speaking in the first person singular and he says in Romans 15, verse 18.

I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed. What was happening when you were speaking. What did Christ accomplish Paul. Verse 19 in the power of signs and wonders in the power of the spirit so that from Jerusalem and round about us follow far as the lyric, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. I'm an apostle. I was doing signs and wonders. Christ is completed his work. Christ has done his work look at second Corinthians chapter 12 second Corinthians chapter 12 verse 11, Paul is wrapping up his defense of his apostolic credentials, and he says in verse 11.

After talking about his many sufferings about the surpassing greatness of the revelations given to him were not given to others.

He says in verse 11. I become foolish. You yourselves compelled me you compelled me because you would listen to me so I had to say this even though I didn't want to set actually I should have been commended by you for in no respect was I inferior to the most imminent apostles, even though I am a nobody and then he goes on in verse 12 and he says the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance by signs and wonders and miracles see what he saying he saying I'm an apostle and you ought to know this.

How should you know it you should know it because I performs the signs and wonders that apostles do before you. Not everybody did signs and wonders if they did, there would not be a unique attestation to the unique authority of up. I have an apostle to speak is a legal representative of Christ and you can see this in one other place will look at very quickly in the book of Hebrews chapter 2 run to pick up on all of these things and expand on them next week and in the week that follows, but in Hebrews chapter 2 verse one. The writer of Hebrews says, for this reason, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it with the words spoken through Angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty. How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation. After it was at the first spoken through the Lord. It was confirmed to us by those who heard how was it confirmed God also testifying with them both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. The apostles did signs and wonders and here's the questionable 11. This is where will leave it for today just to make this statement, and then build on it next. Why was the power given to the apostles to perform signs and wonders why not give it to everybody.

Well, what you see is the signs and wonders were not an end in themselves, they were not a goal in themselves. In fact, Jesus could say it's a wicked generation wants signs people can wants signs without actually wanting the gospel.

That's rampant in the church today. Why was power given to the apostles to perform signs and wonders, what is it that has the enduring value in the church today. Well beloved write this down.

The power given to them in the visible realm confirmed their authority to reveal truth in the spiritual room.

They had authority to do in the physical realm. What others could not do so that everyone could see and everyone could understand that they had power to speak for God in the areas of revealed spiritual truth.

They could give new revelation on behalf of God because they obviously had a power from God that no one else shared in their power in the in the visible realm confirmed their authority in the in visible realm. We know we can trust him as I did things nobody else could do we know we can trust the apostles because they were eyewitnesses to the resurrection. We know we can trust the apostles because Jesus personally appointed them in a way that was witnessed by others at the time these men were not self-appointed.

They did not just show up and say God spoke to me without any kind of verification or validation.

They had signs that accompanied them that showed that there was a unique power upon them that authorize them to speak now, beloved, now it is going to connect this for a moment and leave it here and will pick it up next time.

The fact that the apostles died off. The fact that Christ is not now visible to men.

The fact that there can be no repeat of the apostolic qualifications means that there are no more apostles.

That means that the apostolic office has ceased. That means that the signs and wonders that accompanied it authenticated apostles have also seeks the signs were given to achieve the purpose of authenticating the apostles. The apostles work is done.

The apostles are dead. The things that accompanied them, therefore, have likewise expired that has a lot of implications. That's a critical statement going to build on next time the apostles appointed by Jesus himself were eyewitnesses to both his ministry and resurrection and had unique sign gifts. Pastor Don Greene has pointed out that believers today are not apostles. Rather, we are followers in their footsteps responding to their written testimony. Don will offer a biblical history of sign gifts next time on the truth pulpit as he continues our series, the Holy Spirit today. Be sure to join us then.

Right now though.

Here again is done with some exciting ministry news my friend. It's always meaningful for me to be able to preach God's word to God's people and to share with you here on the radio recently I completed a series that is one of my all-time favorites. It's called the Bible and Roman Catholicism was several messages designed to test Catholic teaching by what Scripture says we like to share a copy of that with you a full complete CD album of 10 messages just go to our website and requested or you'll find the downloads we just want you to have this material at no cost as our gift and ministry to you. Just visit us at the truth.

Pulpit.com and click on radio offers to learn. That's the truth. Pulpit.com. I'm Bill inviting you back next time on the truth pulpit as Don Greene continue teaching God's people. God's word