The 12 Apostles and The 12 Foundations

Very often Christians overlook the special attributes of the 12 apostles .... some even go so far at to try to duplicate some of their special talents to themselves which can lead to feelings of failure if it doesn't work out.

At those times I like to point out that we are not the 12 Apostles .... we are the recipients of their message and teaching.

Jesus Christ appointed His 12 Disciples , gave them unique powers , sent them on a Great commission , and we christian believers are here as a result of their work.

I find it interesting that at the very end of Revelation Jesus indicates his special regard for the 12 apostles and describes them as the 12 foundations of The New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven.

Notice also the significance of the 12 gates representing the 12 Tribes of Israel


Revelation 21
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
The New Jerusalem

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared. Now there was no sea. [sup]2 [/sup]And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband. .......................................[sup].[/sup]
[sup]...........11 [/sup]The city was shining with the glory of God. It was shining bright like a very expensive jewel, like a jasper. It was clear as crystal. [sup]12 [/sup]The city had a large, high wall with twelve gates. There were twelve angels at the gates. On each gate was written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. [sup]13 [/sup]There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. [sup]14 [/sup]The walls of the city were built on twelve foundation stones. On the stones were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. .....................

(A few random selections to indicate the Special designation of the 12)

[sup]Luke 9:12 [/sup]One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. [sup]13 [/sup]When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
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("Other powers" .... "Special attributes" etc)

Luke 9:1 .... When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [sup]2 [/sup]and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [sup]3 [/sup]He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.
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(Over 3000 believers were gathered together and they were in awe of the "special ministry of the apostles)

Acts 2:[sup]42 [/sup]They (believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [sup]43 [/sup]Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
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(Apostles -great power noted )

[sup]Acts 4:32 [/sup]All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. [sup]33 [/sup]With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus

Acts 5:[sup]12 [/sup]The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. ........... [sup]15 [/sup]As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [sup]16 [/sup]Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

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Anyway .... we can see that there were thousands of believers but none of them had the attributes of the 12 apostles. Neither do any of us today .

Certainly we can pray for the miraculous .... and sometimes there will be a miracle amongst us .... but we should consider it answered prayer ...

Best wishes and may all your prayers be answered.


ps:
I would like to clarify that I am not against (any of us) having the attributes of the 12 Apostles ..... my concern is that Christians often mislead themselves into thinking they should.

This can be harmful and induce feelings of failure when "we believers" fall flat on our face trying to mimic the special attributes of the 12 .

Remember ... Jesus is thrilled when we believe the message of the 12 .... that was the whole intent in the first place .

We have not failed.