Qualifications for The Twelve Apostles

Topic: Hospitality
Passage: Matthew 10:1–15

March 23, 2025

Commentary

Right after Jesus’ injunction to ask for laborers we find the twelve apostles listed (vv. 1-5). The qualifications for being an apostle were as follows:

    1. Must have seen the risen Christ (1st Corinthians 9:1).
    2. Must have had fellowship with Jesus (Acts 1:21-22).
    3. Must have been chosen by the Lord (Ephesians 4:11).

No believer today can honestly claim to be an apostle, for none of us have seen the risen Christ. These twelve Apostles were to preach the message of the kingdom and to go only to the lost sheep of Israel (v. 6). In fact, they were specifically told not to go to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans because the kingdom message was for God’s covenant people. They needed to accept her King (Jesus) who had arrived.

The Apostles were not to make elaborate provisions for their travel (vv. 7-10). They were to rely upon the gifts and hospitality of those to whom they preached. Hospitality was a normal part of the Mid Eastern lifestyle and no doubt many offers of accommodation were received. “Freely you have received, freely give” (v. 8). God blesses us so we can bless others. He does not show us His goodness so that we can hoard it all to ourselves in unconcern of the hurts of those around us. It is evident that the Apostles depended on the hospitality of others as they minister from town to town (vv. 11-15). However, the disciples were restricted to accepting hospitality only from those who received their message. They were not to compromise. If a town rejected their words, they were to warn the people and get out of town, shaking the dust off their feet (v. 14).

Application

Who are some of the most interesting house guests my family has ever entertained. If some of Jesus disciples came to my house today, am I sure they would be welcome?

Matthew 10:1– 15 (NET)

1 Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness. 2 Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them as follows: “Do not go on a road that leads to Gentile regions and do not enter any Samaritan town. 6 Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near!’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 Do not take gold, silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions. 11 Whenever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy there and stay with them until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet those within it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town. 15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!