Matthew chapter ten is a very revelation packed chapter. There is so much in there, that you can branch off into many topics. In this post I want to focus on the transition from Disciple to Apostle. Notice in the first verse the twelve were referred to as disciples, but when he gave them power they were referred to as apostles. What was it that Christ saw, to make him refer to them differently? Technically the meaning of disciple is different from apostle;
Disciple:

A follower or pupil of a teacher, leader, or philosopher. Latin word is “discrete” which means to learn.

Apostle:

A vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause. Greek word ‘apostolos’ which means messenger.

Clearly the disciples roles changed from pupil to vigorous advocate, based on the later chapters of their exploits. As a disciple they were learning at the feet of Jesus, absorbing all his miraculous acts and wisdom on many issues pertaining to the Kingdom of God. They followed him every where and had a chance to ask questions to learn. What changed them? The bible says in verse one that ‘He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of disease’. Christ endowed them with power prior to the change in their position, from one of student, to one with authority. I believe the Holy Spirit came upon those disciples at Christ’s request, giving them the power endowed upon them that Christ described. It is not the first time that the Holy Spirit has come upon others to give them power to perform miraculous acts. Samson is a good example and there are many others. The Holy Spirit is the power behind miraculous healing, exorcism, acts of strength, raising the dead etc. Christ himself commanded ‘freely you have received, freely give’.

Now that I have established that the Holy Spirit was the catalyst (the power) responsible for the disciples transition from student to apostle or messenger, is the Holy Spirit that lives in us the same? Here are some verses that are proof the same Spirit of God that was used to endow power unto the disciples lives in us today;

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Corinthians 6:16 ” For we are the temple of the living God just as God said “”I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

Ezekiel 26:37 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”

Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

If we are filled with the Holy Spirit as christians then the same power endowed to the disciples is available to us. Why then are the acts commanded by Christ not being performed by us today? Can it be that we have refused to transition in our relationship with Christ? We refuse to move from the position of student to apostle (messenger). We prefer to remain sitting under the feet of Christ absorbing his grace, knowledge and wisdom all for our selves with no practical application. We as christians see ourselves as helpless children, weak and powerless against our adversaries constantly reliant on Christ saving us. The truth is he already has saved us and has given us the tools and power to accomplish victory in every avenue of our lives. His death and resurrection was the key and the Holy Spirit that lives in us is the authority we have to come against and defeat any evil in his name.

John 14:12 ” Verily verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”

I believe Christ was not interested in just teaching his disciples, but was interested in transitioning them into Kingdom minded apostles applying what they learned through faith. In his commandment from Matthew chapter ten, Christ challenged their faith in his teachings. They were endowed with power and were required to leave all worldly crutches behind, trusting in him as they went out to perform miraculous acts of grace. They knew the power Christ wielded to heal, raise the dead and cast out demons. Now were they able to in faith apply what they learned from Christ and go forward in authority? I think that is the same question we are faced with daily. We know what the results were for the disciples they grabbed onto Christ’s word and fulfilled his commandments among his people. What have we done with our inheritance of the Holy Spirit as a believer? When will we transition from disciple to apostle?

It requires unwavering faith to walk in the word of God. Just giving lip service is not sufficient and that is the common practice today. Many christians quote scriptures, jump up and down on a Sunday and then Monday go back to living in defeat. This shows a lack of faith in the words of our Lord and it is this faithlessness preventing us from transitioning into an apostle that expresses the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are called to be witnesses unto the world for the Kingdom of God, if you read chapter ten in its entirety you will see Christ mention it himself. How can we bear witness to the Kingdom of God and all the favor and access it grants, if we ourselves are walking in defeat. It shows either we are laden with sinful habits because of a lack of self-control or suffer from a complete lack of faith in the word of God that we preach. Christ says he came to give us life and life more abundantly and that is the witness we should be showing the world. There comes a time in our walk with Christ, that we have to whole heartedly accept the following in order to transition from student to apostle and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our role in the Kingdom;

• Acknowledge we are no longer a citizen of earth, but an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven. This means we have full access to the resources of heaven as we live on earth. The is how Christ can give us life more abundantly.
• Understand and believe whole heartedly that the Holy Spirit lives in us and the potential to fulfill all Christ’s commands to heal the sick, deliver the demon possessed, bring back the dead etc is available to us today.
• Know that if we lean not unto our own understanding, but have literal faith in the word of God, his Spirit in us will respond with the power to make the impossible possible. Our faith is the key to unlock the gifts of the Kingdon granted to us.
• Remember we are witnesses to the Kingdom of God and the result of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We have to transition from just being a disciple, follower of Christ to becoming an apostle, a messenger to the world doing the same things Christ did as a witness. Freely he gave us salvation and freedom from sin, so should we be freeing others and spreading Gods kingdom in the hearts of men.

The question is now are we ready to forsake our earthly life to transition from disciple to apostle?

Matthew 6: 9-13 “In this manner , therefore , pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Notice even in the Lord’s prayer, worship of God comes first then God’s will is prayed for in regards to his Kingdom coming here on earth. Then you pray for yourself. Even you are to be second to the will of God. Your desire your wants rightfully are to be subject to the will of God. When we acknowledge he is King, his will supercedes the citizens of his kingdom and his purpose is to expand his territory in the hearts of men here on earth. Then we will be aligned to walk in faith and fulfill his will.