Day 281

Day 281

Galilean Ministry cont.

4. Organizing the kingdom

- Multitudes healed - Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12

- Jesus selects twelve apostles - Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-6

- Gathering for the sermon on mount - Luke 6:17-19

- Sermon on the mount (D-4) - Matthew 5:1-48

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Interestingly - Jesus selects (chooses) the twelve - Peter is always listed first in the list and Judas Iscariot, whose name is always modified by betrayer, is last.  They apostles did not get to choose who would be one of Jesus' men.  Jesus choose...HE called.  As someone who believes that the doctrine of election is clearly laid out in scripture, I find this particularly wording intriguing.

What is the difference between apostle and disciple?  E-sword to the rescue.  :-)

From Mark 3:13 - '...he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;'

disciples - G3101 - From G3129; a learner, that is, pupil.  G3129 - learn, understand.

apostle - G652 - From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers).

I hold to the viewpoint that there are no current day apostles - one who was with Jesus, specifically named as an apostle by Him.  Disciples...would that all those that proclaim Jesus as Lord were as diligent to be a pupil and have a fervency to learn and know the Word of God with growing intimacy daily.

Matthew 5:28 - But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

I have heard some trying to rationalize this verse and state that if they are viewing pornography that it is not adultery.  I cry foul on that one.  I think Jesus' statement is very concise.  Let me clarify 'pornography' - men are tempted by visual pornography, women by mental.  Both are hideous manifestations designed to twist and detract from the beauty that Father intended the marriage relationship to be and represent.

Matthew 5:45 - That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

I have heard discussed the premise of 'common grace' not being a Biblical thought.  I would say that this verse clearly represents that Father allows good to all, those who are His and those who are not.