Apostles are necessary because:

                - Sainthood is not automatic

                - Satan is alive and well, distorting Truth, devouring the naive and diminishing saints

                - The Savior's Solutions are need for individual and corporate difficulties

Authenticated Ambassador Announcing good news of Jesus and the Kingdom

Ac 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Ac 14:3 A long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Pray-er and Perseverer

Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ac 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Obeyer of the Great Commission

Ac 1:2 ...he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:

Ro 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Selected Speaker of Scriptures

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Teacher of the Truth and Trainer of Men

Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which to godliness;

1Co 9:2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Lover even when it hurts

2Co 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults: 21 [And] lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and immorality and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Encourager and Endurer

1Co 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. 11 Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure it: 13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things to this day.

Separate from the World in Knowledge, Values-Feelings, Actions

Always acts in another's best interest (love)

Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (and it shows)

Not limited by anything in this world

Truths it in Love

Sanctified over time

Questions/Thoughts to Consider

1. Why are saints necessary? What would an apostle do today?

2. Can a person who lives like a devil properly be called a saint?

3. Why did the apostles have it so difficult? Is that how God treats His finest?

4. How does a "positional" saint become an actual saint?