APOSTLE

First, apostles.

Secondarily, prophets.

Thirdly, teachers.

After that, miracles.

Then, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Cor. 12:28).

This order is repeated in the verse that follows.

The order in Ephesians 4 however is:

(1)

(3)

(2)

(4)

Pastors and Teachers.

The third one here is the evangelist whilst the teacher joined with the pastor is fourth. No other gifts follow, as

they do in 1 Corinthians 12:28; we are evidently dealing with a different ministry.

APOSTLES. These were given after He had `ascended up on high'. Which of the apostles were thus given? In

Matthew 10:2-4 we read:

`Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother;

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican;

James the son of Alph -us, and Leb -us, whose surname was Thadd -us, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot,

who also betrayed Him'.

Before the Lord ascended He was seen `of the twelve' (1 Cor. 15:5). This therefore includes Matthias, for Judas

never saw the risen Lord, and Matthias was a `witness of His resurrection', and was `numbered with the eleven'

(Acts 1:15-26).

In any attempt to demonstrate the unique apostleship of Paul the case of Matthias is sure to intrude, and his place

among the apostles must be settled before the way is clear to consider more intimately Paul's own claims. We turn

to Acts 1:15 to 2:13, which is the section containing the appointment of Matthias, and note first of all the structure:

A 1:15,16. a In those days.

b The 120.

c Together (epi to auto).

d The Holy Ghost (to pneuma to hagion).

e Spake by mouth of David.

B 1:17-19. f

Dwellers at Jerusalem (katoikeo).

g In their proper tongue (te idia dialekto auton).

C 1:20-26. The appointment of Matthias.

The 12 Apostles.

a The day of Pentecost.

b All (i.e., the 12).

c In one place (epi to auto).

d Holy Ghost (pneuma hagion).

e Began to speak.

Dwellers at Jerusalem (katoikeo).

g In his own language (te idia dialekto auton).

The representative nations.

The 12 Countries.