By Jack Enright

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Missions

By Jack Enright

Additions by: Pastor Phaedra Alton

Gateway International Bible Institute4445 W. Olive Ave.Glendale, AZ 85302(602) 993-5353

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GIBI Course- Missions

Lesson 1

What comes to mind when you hear the word “missionary?” Is it a man in a whitetropical suit, wearing a pith helmet, and standing before a group of native children, seatedon the ground in the filth around them? Is it a doctor, or nurse, weary from long hours of giving injections, pouring ointments into open, running sores? What is your concept of missionary activity in this enlightened twentieth century? Times change, people change,approaches change, and the methods change. But do they really? What were themethods used by Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles? What made him the successfulmissionary-apostle-evangelist that he was to become? Is it possible for us, today, to havethe same measure of success as this man from Tarsus? Let’s first define some terms:Ambassador: II Corinthians 5:20; “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as thoughGod did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God.”Webster’s definition: the highest-ranking diplomatic representative appointed by onecountry or government to represent it to another, an official messenger or agent with aspecial messenger.Strong’s Concordance: act as a representative; fig. to be a preacher.Missionary: Webster’s Dictionary: not a Biblical term. Man-made to denote one “who issent on a mission; specifically a person sent out by his church to preach, teach, and tomake proselytes, as in a foreign country considered to be heathen.”Disciple: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as one of thetwelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts.Apostle: (as compared to the word “disciple”) – a learner; the word “apostle” means onewho is “sent forth.” A delegate; an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (apostle) with miraculous powers. Let’s look at the word apostle just a littlecloser. What constituted an individual being called an apostle? Paul was an apostle byvirtue of:

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A Calling: Romans 1:1; I Cor. 1:1 Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1 – “By the will of God”, IICor. 1:1 (above also ties in here.). “Grace and apostleship came by Jesus Christ.”Romans 1:5; I Cor. 15:10. Apostles were chosen – Acts 1:2. Paul was called the“Apostle to the Gentiles.” One of the five ministry gifts of Ephesians 4:11.Apostles were set in the church, I Cor. 12:28-29.A.Paul called himself an apostle – I Cor. 9:1; Gal. 1:1; Col. 1:1; I Tim. 1:1;2:7; II Tim. 1:1, 11; Titus 1:1; The Corinthians were his seal of apostleship. I Cor. 9:2; II Cor. 11:28.

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Disciples became apostles: Matthew 10:1-2, “He gave them power againstunclean spirits – to cast them out – to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” In verse 1, Jesus calls the twelve disciples to him and gives them thischarge, and then in verse 2, the Bible states, “Now the names of the twelveapostles are these…” In verse 5, Jesus sends the twelve forth, and commands

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GIBI Course- Missions

them, saying, “Go…” and you can read the various commands given in vv. 5-42.It is important that we look at the Gospel of Luke for a supporting reference to theabove. Luke 6:13 “And when it was day, he called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He called apostles.” These apostles are calledthe “Apostles of Jesus Christ, or the Apostles to the Lamb” Rev. 21:14. Sent tothe lost sheep of the House of Israel. Apostles to the Jews (circumcision). Pauland Barnabas were Apostles to the Gentiles – Paul called such by the Lord. Acts9:15, Paul and Barnabas stated so in Acts 13:46. Apostles reported to Jesus andtold Him what they had done and taught. Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10. They were persecuted, but obedient to the faith. Apostles and prophets the foundation of theHousehold of God – Jesus Christ being the Chief cornerstone. Eph. 2:20.Knowledge revealed to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Eph. 3:5.There were false apostles just as there are false prophets in the church. Rev. 2:2.Holy apostles and prophets will be avenged by the destruction of Babylon. Rev.18:20. The early Church continued in the Apostle’s Doctrine and fellowship.Acts 2:42.

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The signs of the apostle, II Cor. 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle werewrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.”See also Heb. 3:4; Acts 2:43, 5:12.

What Were the Qualifications of an Apostle?

These following notes of qualifications for an apostle were taken from the Dickson Bible.

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Necessary to have seen the Lord and be a witness of that to which He attested,Acts 1:20-25. See also I Cor. 15:8; I Cor. 9:1; Acts 9:5; Gal. 1:11-24; Eph. 3:3.2.Had to be called to the office by Christ.3.The apostle must be Divinely inspired, I Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:11-12; I Pet. 1:25.4.Power to perform miracles, Credentials, I Cor. 12:8-11; II Cor. 12:12.5.Care of all the churches rather than a pastor of a local church, II Cor. 11:28.6.They decided controversies and had the right to exercise discipline, I Cor. 5:3-6;II Cor. 10:8; 13:10.

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