The Apostles – Witnesses to the Word

Series: The Bible – God’s Perfect Word

Who Were the Apostles?

The word apostle means “sent one.” In the New Testament, this title referred to a unique group of men personally chosen and appointed by Jesus Christ. They were eyewitnesses of His resurrection, taught directly by Him, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak on His behalf.

Their role was not optional—it was foundational. Ephesians 2:20 says:

“The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.”

That foundation includes their authoritative preaching and their Spirit-inspired writings. To understand the trustworthiness of the New Testament, we must understand the divine authority entrusted to the apostles.

1. Chosen by Christ Himself

The apostles did not volunteer. They were chosen. Mark 3:14 says:

“He appointed twelve… so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach.”

They were not merely followers—they were trained delegates. Jesus personally taught them, revealed truth to them, and prepared them to bear witness to His life, death, and resurrection.

This calling extended beyond the original twelve. Paul, though not a disciple during Jesus’ earthly ministry, was later called by the risen Christ:

“He who had set me apart before I was born… was pleased to reveal His Son to me…” (Gal. 1:15–16)

2. Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection

An essential qualification of apostleship was eyewitness testimony. Acts 1:21–22 required that Judas’s replacement be someone who had accompanied Jesus and could testify to the resurrection.

Peter declared:

“We did not follow cleverly devised myths… but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” (2 Pet. 1:16)

John wrote:

“That which we have seen with our eyes… and touched with our hands… we proclaim.” (1 John 1:1)

The apostolic witness was not secondhand. It was firsthand. This personal encounter with the risen Christ gave their preaching and writing divine authority.

3. Taught and Commissioned by the Spirit

Before His ascension, Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would come and guide them:

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

These promises were not made to the general public. They were given to the apostles in the Upper Room. The Spirit would remind them of Christ’s words and reveal what was yet to come—resulting in the writing of the New Testament.

Paul affirms this when he says:

“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit… we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:10, 13)

The apostolic teaching was not the product of reflection—it was revelation.

4. Their Words Were God's Words

The apostles were aware of their unique authority. They did not claim to be offering personal opinions or suggestions. They spoke with divine weight.

Paul writes:

“If anyone thinks he is a prophet… he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 14:37)

He tells the Thessalonians:

“You accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the Word of God.” (1 Thess. 2:13)

Peter affirms Paul’s authority by calling his letters “Scripture” (2 Pet. 3:16). This confirms that the apostolic writings were immediately received as the Word of God—alongside the Old Testament.

5. Their Writings Complete Divine Revelation

With the apostles, divine revelation reached its climax. Hebrews 1:1–2 says:

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke… but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son…”

The apostles bore witness to Christ’s life and teaching, interpreting His work and explaining its implications for the church. Once this testimony was written and preserved, there was no need for further revelation.

Jude says:

“The faith… was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

The apostles delivered the faith, and the church receives it—not as an evolving word, but a finished deposit of truth.

6. Their Legacy: The New Testament

The New Testament consists of 27 books, most of which were written by apostles (e.g., Matthew, John, Paul, Peter) or their close companions (e.g., Mark with Peter, Luke with Paul, James and Jude as brothers of Jesus).

Each book carries apostolic authority—either directly or by close association. Luke wasn’t an apostle, but Paul called his Gospel “Scripture” (1 Tim. 5:18). John’s Revelation begins:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ… He made it known… by sending His angel to His servant John.” (Rev. 1:1)

These were not optional commentaries. They were God’s revelation through His chosen messengers.

7. What This Means for Us

If the apostles were Christ’s chosen witnesses, then their writings carry the same authority as Christ Himself. To accept the New Testament is to accept the voice of Jesus. To reject it is to reject Him.

• It secures the canon. The Bible is not an arbitrary collection of religious texts. It is a Spirit-authored, apostolically-verified body of divine truth.

• It grounds our faith. We do not base our beliefs on modern visions, evolving traditions, or subjective impressions. We rest on the teaching of the apostles.

• It demands our obedience. The commands, doctrines, warnings, and promises of the New Testament are not suggestions—they are the voice of Christ through His servants.

• 
  

Conclusion: The Apostolic Foundation Holds

The apostles were not freelancers or religious visionaries. They were eyewitnesses, empowered by the Spirit, and entrusted with the words of life. They wrote with clarity, boldness, and divine authority. Their writings are not man’s opinion—they are God’s truth.

To follow Christ is to follow the apostolic Word. Their testimony stands secure, not because the church validated it, but because Christ Himself commissioned it.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (Acts 2:42)Let us do the same.