Ministry of Apostles (Essay Sample)

Name of Student
Name of Professor
Ministry of the Apostles
14, April 2015
Stephen and Barnabas
In the Bible, we read Christ was sent by GOD our creator to the earth to come and redeem His Church. During this time, we learn a whole great deal of information about the encounters that Jesus had with his followers and worshippers. Here, the main focus will be on the Ministers of the Apostles that Jesus had in aid of his duty to spread the word of God before the time he was tortured and crucified on the cross. An Apostle is an official commissioner of Christ with miraculous power sent on special mission; one sent with orders thus the act of carrying out these orders is what we consider as Apostolic Ministry.
It is the perfect balance of doctrine truth as handed down by Jesus to His Apostles. Effectively ministered with the same authority and power as was demonstrated through the lives of the Apostles; the Lord confirming His Word with signs following. It was not released to the world on the day of Pentecost; understanding was imparted, and spiritual power was released into their lives by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Acts is a historical link between the Gospels and the Epistles. It is written by Luke, who was thought to be a Gentile, it consists of stories of the anointed men and women who took their calling seriously and began to spread the news of a risen Savior to the most remote corners of the known world. It's the basis of understanding to Apostolic Ministry; particularly Apostles Stephen and Barnabas role in this ministry. In Acts, we observe that both Stephen and Barnabas were Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Both Stephen and Barnabas were important persons in the foundation of the early Church and the spread of the gospel and that both of them worked closely with Paul in building the Church of God through his Ministry. It is believed that both these men were one the first seven ordained deacons.
Barnabas is mentioned quite often in the Acts of Apostles. He is honored with the title apostle. Barnabas was born in Cyprus. His birth name was Joseph; the apostles ordained him a Hebrew name Barnabas; which simply means the Son of Encouragement, in honor of his work in the church. In Acts 4:36 we learn that Joseph Barnabas was born a Jew, the tribe of Levi member.
We cannot know when Barnabas came to Palestine. He is suspected to have been in the group of disciples who went everywhere with Jesus on his missions; some of the early church writers thought so. If he was not aware of Jesus before his crucifixion, he must have then heard of the apostles' preaching about it after Pentecost. Understand
Barnabas believed so much in the power of the word of God to change people's hearts. He convinced the apostles and the church in Jerusalem that Paul had been rehabilitated from an oppressor to an apostle. In Acts 9:26-27 states "Barnabas is thought to be the earliest people to identify with the mission of the church as universal. He argued very passionately that Gentile converts were not to be forced to circumcision or pursue the Jewish nutritional customs; the same views shared by his fellow Apostle Stephen on the Jews who refused to believe in Christ". Also in Acts 15 it says that the apostles used him to reinforce the Christians in Antioch. Barnabas invited Paul to join him in this work. Acts 11 says the Antioch community sent Barnabas and Paul on a missionary journey together. They preached in synagogues throughout Asia Minor.
It is not clear on how or when Barnabas died. A myth says he was martyred in Cyprus, his hometown. Barnabas offers us an influential illustration of openness in his mentorship of Paul. He is a collaborative person who knows the importance of operating with others, a partner in ministry. His readiness to give Mark a new start displays that he is an individual of reconciliation. He faced many of the similar challenges that we face now in the modern day Church.
Stephen, on the other hand, was the first Christian Martyr; meaning the first Christian to be killed because of preaching and spreading the word of God publicly to none - believers; he was a Jew living in Hellenic provinces that are related to the Apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit strongly used him through his faith, enabling him to perform lots of miracles and always defeat the Jews who would always differ with him. The Jews with their hatred for Stephen lied about him to the people. But Stephen with his bold face reminded the people of the miracles; God had been working through him and using him to rebuke the Jews for killing the innocent Christians. Stephen is mentioned among the sev...