THE FIVE APOSTOLIC COMMISSIONS OF JESUS CHRIST IN CHURCH HISTORY

INTRODUCTION 

In 1998, the Lord instructed me to read the whole New Testament, focusing on the teachings and parables of Jesus Christ. I discovered that the parables had a hidden meaning that could only be understood through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The bible confirms this, stating that Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, revealing secret things from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 13:34-35 (NET) says, "Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.”

As I prayed for understanding, the Lord revealed to me His five apostolic commissions throughout church history. These commissions can be seen in the parable of a landowner who hired five groups of laborers for his vineyard. 

The Parable of the Landowner and His Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16 says, "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning (6am) to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour (9am), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour (12midday) and the ninth hour (3pm), he did the same. And about the eleventh hour (5pm) he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' So the last will be first, and the first last."

This parable answers the question of whether apostles still exist in the church today. Let's explore each of the five eras and their scriptural support from the New Testament:

1. The Early Morning (6 am) Apostles in the Apostolic Age (33 AD - 100 AD)

In this era, the original twelve apostles, including Peter, Paul, and John, played a crucial role in establishing the early Christian Church and spreading the gospel. They laid the foundation of New Testament doctrine based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. The New Testament records their ministry and the birth of the early church.

Scriptural Support: The appointment of the twelve apostles by Jesus (Matthew 10:1-4), the Great Commission given to them (Matthew 28:16-20), and their role in the early church (Acts 2:42-47).

2. The Midmorning (9 am) Apostles in the Apostate Age (100 AD - 451 AD)

In this period, the early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin Martyr, and Augustine of Hippo defended the faith against heresies and solidified Christian theology.

Scriptural Support: The call for sound doctrine and the defense of the faith (Titus 1:9, Jude 1:3), and the writings and teachings of the early Church Fathers.

3. The Midday (12 noon) Apostles in the Medieval Age (451 AD - 1517 AD)

The influence of the Roman Catholic Church grew during this era. Scholars and theologians like Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury made significant contributions to Christian thought and medieval doctrine.

Scriptural Support: The role of teaching and the development of doctrines (Ephesians 4:11-14, 1 Timothy 4:13-16), and the writings and teachings of notable scholars.

4. The Late Afternoon (3 pm) Apostles in the Reformation Age (1517 AD - 1700 AD)

This transformative period witnessed the rise of reformists like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, John Knox, and Huldrych Zwingli. They challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and established Protestant churches.

Scriptural Support: The call for reform and the restoration of biblical truth (Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16), and the teachings and actions of the reformers.

5. The Evening (5 pm) Apostles in the Restoration Age (1700 AD - present)

This era has seen advancements in various fields, including the Enlightenment, scientific progress, and the restoration of truths, gifts, and functions of the Holy Spirit in the church. Figures like Dwight L. Moody, Charles Finney, Billy Graham, Myles Munroe, and Ezekiel Guti have played significant roles in this restoration.

Scriptural Support: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the restoration of spiritual gifts (Acts 2:16-21, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11), and the ministries and teachings of influential figures in the present time.

In Conclusion...

The parable of the landowner in Matthew 20:1-16 connects these five apostolic commissions with the five ages of church history. 

Similarly, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 represents the readiness and preparedness of believers for the return of Christ. Five virgins were wise, representing churches led by the apostolic groups mentioned above, while the other five were foolish. 

The understanding of the parables and the five apostolic commissions enhances our understanding of church history and the significance of different eras. 

The scriptural support from the New Testament solidifies the existence of apostolic commissions throughout history and encourages believers to embrace the teachings and examples set by those in each era. 

While some may argue that there are no apostles today, biblical evidence supports the existence of apostles in the present time. 

The assumption that there are no apostles today stems from misunderstanding the role and function of apostles as described in the New Testament. Scripture provides several reasons why it is incorrect to assume the absence of apostles in contemporary times. 

Ephesians 4:11-13 says, "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

This passage emphasizes the purpose of these different ministries, including apostles, in equipping and building up the body of Christ. The apostles, along with prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers, are given by Christ to serve the saints, enabling them to carry out the work of ministry effectively. 

The passage also highlights the ultimate goal of these ministries, which is the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, as well as the maturity and fullness of Christ's stature in His followers. This means that these ministries are intended to continue until this goal is reached, validating their ongoing relevance in the church. 

Apostles do exist in the present time, playing a vital role in advancing the kingdom of God and helping believers grow in faith and maturity. 

1 Corinthians 12:28 says, "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues."

This verse lists apostles as one of the ministries appointed by God within the church. It suggests that apostleship is a distinct and significant role in the body of Christ. By mentioning apostles first in the list, Paul indicates their importance and prominence among the various ministries in the  church. This highlights the foundational and pioneering nature of apostleship in the establishment and growth of the church. 

The inclusion of apostles alongside other spiritual gifts and ministries implies that apostleship is not limited to a specific time period but remains relevant throughout different eras of the church. Apostles arise in various generations of the church age to fulfill their unique calling and mission. 

Additionally, Acts 14:14 refers to Barnabas and Paul as apostles, even though they were not part of the original twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. The apostolic ministry extended beyond the original twelve and apostles arose in subsequent generations. 

It is incorrect to assume that there are no apostles today based on the biblical evidence. While the specific nature and function of apostles may vary between different periods of church history, the New Testament provides support for the ongoing existence of apostolic ministries.