The empowerment and mission of the Twelve Apostles are pivotal events in the New Testament, marking the formal commissioning of Jesus' closest followers to continue His work on earth. This event is primarily recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, with each account providing unique insights into the authority and responsibilities bestowed upon the Apostles.

Selection and Empowerment

The selection of the Twelve Apostles is a significant moment in Jesus' ministry. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing the Twelve from among His disciples (Luke 6:12-13). This underscores the divine guidance and intentionality behind their selection. The Twelve Apostles were Simon (whom He named Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Him (Luke 6:14-16).

The empowerment of the Apostles is vividly described in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus granted them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1). This empowerment was not merely for the performance of miracles but served as a testament to the divine authority and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God through their ministry.

Mission and Instructions

The mission of the Twelve Apostles is detailed in Matthew 10, Mark 6, and Luke 9. Jesus sent them out in pairs, instructing them to focus initially on the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6). This directive highlights the initial phase of their mission, which was to prepare the Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus provided specific instructions for their journey, emphasizing reliance on God's provision. They were to take no gold, silver, or copper in their belts, no bag for the road, no second tunic, and no sandals or staff (Matthew 10:9-10). This reliance on divine provision was a testament to their faith and the urgency of their mission.

The Apostles were also instructed to proclaim that "the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 10:7). Their message was to be accompanied by acts of compassion and power: healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and driving out demons (Matthew 10:8). These acts were signs of the in-breaking of God's kingdom and served to authenticate their message.

Challenges and Encouragement

Jesus did not shy away from preparing the Apostles for the challenges they would face. He warned them of persecution, betrayal, and rejection, even from their own families (Matthew 10:16-22). Despite these challenges, Jesus encouraged them with the promise of the Holy Spirit's guidance, assuring them that they would be given the words to speak in times of trial (Matthew 10:19-20).

The mission of the Twelve Apostles was a precursor to the Great Commission, where Jesus would later command them to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Their initial mission laid the groundwork for the global spread of the Gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's authority and the enduring impact of His teachings.