Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

/ 5 9

C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

2. John 17 provides great insight into the unique role of the Apostles as communicators of God’s revelation. As his chosen messengers, Jesus invests the Apostles with unique authority and witness, and states that:

a. He revealed the Father’s name to them.

b. All that the Father had given to Jesus was made known to them.

c. Jesus had given the Apostles the Father’s saving word of truth.

d. The Apostles’ words concerning Christ would be the means through which the world would come to believe.

2

3. The Church has given the name “apostolicity” to this principle of the importance of the Apostles in the life and faith of the Church.

4. The Apostles’ word, as representative of Jesus himself, holds authoritative status in the Church’s understanding of Jesus’ person and work.

a. Paul suggests that the household of God is “built on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,” Eph. 2.20.

b. Defend the apostolic deposit: “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” Jude 1.3.

c. Terrifying consequences exist for those teaching things contrary to the Apostles’ doctrine, Gal. 1.8-9.