Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

31 March 2025

Reading From Luke 6:1-26

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

—Luke 6:12-16

     The twelve apostles were not the only disciples of Jesus.  There were many men and women who followed Him, loved Him and cared for Him.  He chose twelve of them and ordained them as His apostles.  The word “apostle” means sent one, delegate, representative and ambassador. 

     In the New Testament, an apostle functioned both as a missionary and as a kind of pastor of pastors, providing leadership and mentorship for the churches.  They received revelation from God and gave guidance for faith and practice.  Their guidance was given both in person and through letters.  Letters from Paul, James, Peter, John, and Jude are now included as the bulk of the New Testament and there came to be many other apostles in that time period in addition to the original twelve. 

     Today the church benefits greatly from apostolic leadership.  When I think of my own discipleship, I learned so much through the radio ministries of prominent pastors such as Jack Hayford, Chuck Smith, Charles Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Billy Graham, Aimee Semple McPherson, and many others.  The writings of Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, John and Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, and the like offer wisdom and knowledge to the broader Body of Christ long after their earthly labors ceased. God still uses the five fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to bless His Church.

“Lord, thank You for Your continued leadership of Your Church through men and women who are Your servants.  I pray that we would accept and submit their authority in our lives.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

—Ephesians 4:11-13