What is the difference between an apostle, a prophet, and a priest? 542 - 4 - 2

According to CM, a prophet is God’s representative to the people and a priest is a people’s representative before the Father.

An apostle is basically one who is sent. The following is very descriptive of what was entailed in being an apostle of Christ.

Apostle: G652

ἀπόστολος

apostolos ap-os'-tol-os From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Jeremiah, one of the exile prophets, warned King Zedekiah not to resist king Nebuchadnezzar as he was an agent of God, bringing judgment upon the Southern Kingdom. Ezekiel also prophesied about the fate of King Zedekiah. It’s amazing how God provides his chosen prophets with history written in advanced.

Ezekiel 12:13, “My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.”

Jeremiah 39:6-7, “Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.”

Although King Zedekiah never saw Babylon, he died there. He had been blinded by king Nebuchadnezzar.

Priest: H3547

כּהן kâhan

kaw-han'

A primitive root, apparently meaning to mediate in religious services; but used only as denominative from H3548; to officiate as a priest; figuratively to put on regalia: - deck, be (do the office of a, execute the, minister in the) priest (‘s office).

When I think of today’s priest “to put on regalia” seems to be an understatement. So much pomp and meaningless ritual that passes for communication between God and his people. For eons, the church perpetrated the falsehood that the common people could not understand the Scriptures without interpretation by the priest. The priest could hear one’s confession and give absolution, you think?

Today we have the ultimate priest, Jesus Christ, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.“ Jesus is not only our intermediary pleading our case before God, he also was and is and will be the propitiation for our/ my sins.

What are the lessons we can draw from Peter’s denial(s)? 532-2 - 13 - 5

John 13:37-38, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”

Although Peter was an exemplary apostle in many ways, I can’t help but compare him to Paul. Initially both were reluctant followers of Jesus. However, after Saul/Paul was blinded by a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus and later cured he was totally committed to sharing the Good News. There is a theory that Paul spent three years in the Arabian Desert being taught by Jesus one-on-one. Paul was not at all timid in proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus and did not wait for permission from the church in Jerusalem to preach the message to the Gentiles. Peter seems to have hung back and all too often looking for approval from his fellow early church leaders. That said, Paul is a subject for another time. So back to Peter.

We learned early on that Peter was very outspoken and as CM says “Would often shoot from the hip.” He did showed great courage in his attempt to walk on water and then lost faith necessitating been given a hand by Jesus himself.
At the time of the arrest of Jesus Peter sliced off the ear of a slave, perhaps an act of bravado rather than true bravery. After Jesus was taken away Peter had time to be more analytic and less than courageous. As Jesus had predicted, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed twice. Here Peter was thinking in the flesh rather that in his spirit.

After the resurrection and the later impartation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter became a much convicted apostle capable of performing miracles; even Peter’s shadow could heal. The passage I like so well is from Acts 3:6, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

From Peter we learn that our human nature and the will to survive can cause us to fall from grace. The really good news is that repentance brings forgiveness. Shortly before the assumption of Jesus to heaven He shared breakfast with the disciples. Jesus allowed Peter to overcome his fall from grace. John 21:17, “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Three denials of Jesus followed by three affirmations, truly, there is great hope for all of us who are repentant sinners.