THE HERALD

www.answerthecallministries.org

"The Apostles Doctrine"

Is doctrinal unity even possible? What does God say to us about this?

Are we tired of disobeying God at every turn? How do we change this?

YOU NEED TO PRAYERFULLY READ THIS!!!

WARNING THIS WORD MAY SEPARATE YOU FROM ALL YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH!!!

My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge Hosea 4:6a

The warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) of bringing every though captive is an apostolic campaign for doctrinal unity. It only partially means getting you�re though life in order and it completely means to get the churches thought life in order. If you have courage please read below and then do something to make a difference.

Pre-lesson Define Apostle! Sent, ambassador, messenger, general or governmental representative. Example of the times was Pontius Pilate!

apostole (ap-os-tol-ay'); from; commission, i.e. (specially) apostolate: apostello (ap-os-tel'-lo); ; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively: apo (apo'); a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative): stello (stel'-lo); probably strengthened from the base of ; properly, to set fast ("stall"), i.e. (figuratively) to repress (reflexively, abstain from associating with):

I.                   The 12 are commissioned first and then others afterward.

a. Acts 1:1-2 The former treatise I have made O Theopholis, of all that Jesus began to do and teach, after that He had through the Holy Spirit gave commandments unto the apostles He had chosen. Jesus gave his apostles commands & then He  sent  them.

b. In Acts 13:1-2, we see Paul and Barnabas ordained and then Timothy, Silvanus, Titus & others.

c. Matthew 28:18-20 All power is given to Me in heaven and earth. Go Ye therefore and teach (doctrine) all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The apostles were sent to teach and bring into obedience!

d. Ephesians 3:5-10  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Apostles are with the prophets to receive the corporate revelation needed for the church to

succeed in warfare!

e. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of  strong   

      holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of  

      God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; this warfare is to bring about   

       obedience to the faith through doctrine, which is fulfilling the great commission!

II.                Obedience of faith is so we can be Christ in this world!

Obedience: hupakoe (hoop-ak-o-ay')attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission: hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo'-o); to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority:

a. Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name.

b. Romans 16:20 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandments of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Complete submission to the faith!

c. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

d. Eph 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

III.   The Apostles Doctrine-Setting the Order�

a. Matt 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. The doctrine given to the apostles is the teaching of Christ.

b. Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. All revivals known to man have ceased and then we have hoped for another. Why do revivals that are so powerful from God end up dissipating? All revivals had 3 of the above ingredients and one of them even had the fourth! The early church did not stop praying or having fellowship or even breaking bread. Just as Paul warned, Peter warned and Jude warned, the people of God began to move away from Christ�s teachings (the Apostles Doctrine). The unity of Christ (Christ being the Word of God) began to cease when the doctrine became compromised! This is the cause of the early church departure from God�s power! All the other revivals had a restoration of prayer, breaking of bread and fellowship, but none of them could last because the apostles were missing and therefore so was their doctrine (the teachings of Christ in purity!

c. 1 Corinthians 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Paul taught the same teaching or doctrine in every church everywhere!

d. 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith , in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

e. 2 Timothy 4:1-4   I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

IV.   All other doctrines were forbidden!

a.1 Tim 1:3-7 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith : so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Timothy put in charge of guarding doctrine in the whole city of Ephesus!    

b. Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

c. 2 John 9-11 Whosoever  transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

d. Gal 1:8-9  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed .

V.  How do we determine the original doctrine?

a. Jesus teachings! He is the Word! Apostles are taught by the Holy Spirit in the Word by gifting so they can do this job! We must go to the whole Word of God! 2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Word explains itself if we will study it! We are not qualified to correctly discern commentary of opinion until we first know God in His Word! Who is right and who is wrong? There is only one standard acceptable for knowing the difference and it has to be God�s Word!

      b. 2 Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 

      rightly dividing the word of truth.

      c. James 1:21-25 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with

     meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not 

     hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like

     unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and

     straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

     and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed   

     in his deed.

VI. A return to early church power & victory, must be proceeded by a return to the pure Word of God & obedience of faith! If we believe our deeds will show it! Jesus reproved all seven churches in Revelations on doctrine and on deeds! Example: The Word says there is only one church! One Lord one faith one baptism! Yet we continue in sin with all the different denominations & divisions (even amongst these denominations). We are cheating on God and rightly called by Jesus a wicked and adulterous generation.

1. Our current condition!- 2 Tim 3:1-10:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith . But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith , longsuffering, charity, patience.
2. The bride will solve this problem! Rev 19:7-10 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."  And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."