The Choosing of the Twelve, Part 2—Why They are Chosen | Mark 3:14–15

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.

Many disciples follow the Lord at this point.  Even so, He calls only twelve to send out with His message.  He does so for two main reasons, and their appointment will become the bedrock of the entire church. 

Our Lord wants those He chooses to be with Him.  They’ll be trained by spending time with Jesus, eating and walking with Him for the remainder of His earthly ministry.  All involving themselves with the Lord’s ministry must spend time learning from Him. 

All must also know the security that comes with being with the Lord.  He tells the disciples in Mt 19:28, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  As our Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hb 13:5).  What a comfort—He choose them “so that they might be with him”!

Our Lord gives authority to preach and to minister.  He had to teach them, and He had to grant them the supernatural ability to carry out their ministry.  Paul talks about the signs of a “true apostle,” which includes such “signs and wonders and mighty works” (2 Cor 12:12)—God bearing witness through them (Hb 2:3–4).

The point, though, wasn’t that they could also perform exorcisms—it was the proclamation of the gospel.  Jesus preached repentance and the gospel (1:14–15), and He authorizes His disciples to be fishers of men (1:17).  As such, their message about Christ is the bedrock of the church (Gal 2:20). 


Christians don’t have the kind of delegated authority the apostles had.  However, we have their inspired writings and meet Jesus through them.  We learn that the Holy Spirit continues calling and delegating gifts as He chooses (1 Cor 12:11), and that evangelists and pastors must continue teaching “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jd 3).  As such, the Word of the Lord continues going forth today!

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