What aspects of the apostles’ commission apply to Christians today?

Matthew 10:1–15 gives a specific mission to the apostles at that time. Some parts were temporary. Others still apply to you today.

Break it into two groups:

What still applies to you

1. You are sent with a purpose

• Jesus sends his followers, not just the apostles
• You are meant to go, not stay passive

Ask yourself:

• Where are you already placed that you can serve? Work, family, friends?

**2. Proclaim the message

• The core message: the kingdom of God is near
• Today, you share the gospel clearly and simply

Example:

• Conversations with friends
• Living in a way that reflects Christ

**3. Help people in practical ways

• Jesus told them to heal and help
• You may not perform miracles, but you can still act

You can:

• Support someone struggling
• Pray for others
• Give time, money, or skills

4. Give freely

• “Freely you have received; freely give”
• You don’t treat faith as a business

Check yourself:

• Do you expect something back when you help others?

5. Trust God for provision

• They depended on others and on God
• You are called to trust, not control everything

This doesn’t mean no planning
It means:

• Don’t let fear stop you from doing what’s right

6. Focus on receptive people

• They stayed where they were welcomed
• They moved on when rejected

You can:

• Invest time in people open to hearing
• Avoid forcing conversations

7. Accept rejection without taking it personally

• Some will reject the message
• That’s expected

Your role:

• Be faithful
• Not responsible for outcomes

What was specific to the apostles (not directly for you)

1. Their exact audience at that time

• They were sent to “the lost sheep of Israel”
• Today, the mission is global

**2. The exact instructions about travel

• No money, no extra clothes
• These were short-term instructions

You still trust God
But you can plan wisely

3. Authority to perform specific miracles

• They were given direct authority to heal and cast out demons
• Christians today differ on how this applies

You can still:

• Pray for healing
• Care for people deeply

Key takeaway

You are sent
You share
You serve
You trust God
You accept rejection

Now think about this:

• Who in your life is open right now?
• Where are you holding back out of fear?

In what senses may there be apostles today?

The word “apostle” means “sent one.”
That helps you separate what continues and what does not.

1. The unique apostles (not repeated today)

These were the Twelve and a few others like Paul the Apostle.

They had:

• Direct appointment by Jesus
• Eyewitness experience of the risen Christ
• Authority to lay the foundation of the Church
• Role in giving Scripture (through teaching and writing)

This role is finished.
You don’t get new apostles in this same sense.

2. Apostles as “sent ones” (applies today)

The broader meaning still fits you.
Anyone sent by Christ with the gospel shares this sense.

You see this in people like:

• Missionaries sent to new places
• Church planters starting new communities
• Leaders sent with a clear mission

In this sense:

• You are sent into your daily life
• Your workplace, family, and network become your mission field

3. “Apostolic” work (function, not title)

Some Christians use “apostolic” to describe a role, not a rank.

This includes people who:

• Start new churches
• Reach unreached groups
• Build and guide ministries

Think of it as:

• Expanding, not controlling
• Serving, not ruling

Ask yourself:

• Are you helping start something new for God?
• Or only maintaining what already exists?

4. Caution with the title today

Some groups use “apostle” as a formal title.

Be careful:

• No one today has the same authority as the original apostles
• Teaching must still be tested against Scripture

A title doesn’t prove anything
Fruit and faithfulness do

Simple way to think about it

• Foundation apostles → unique, not repeated
• Sent people → continues today
• Apostolic work → still needed everywhere

Bring it to your life

• Where are you being sent right now?
• Who are you responsible to reach?
• Are you stepping into that role or holding back?