Introduction
From the very beginning of the assembly of God’s people, the teachings of the apostles have been central to building a strong and enduring faith. After the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, He entrusted His apostles with the responsibility of laying the foundation of sound doctrine. These men were chosen, trained, and filled with the Spirit to deliver the message of salvation and to guide believers in the way of truth.
Today, in a world filled with shifting philosophies, false teachings, and countless distractions, it is more urgent than ever that we hold firmly to what the apostles taught. The Scriptures remind us that the early followers of the Lord “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). This steadfastness preserved their faith, unified them as one body, and gave them strength to endure persecution.
In this message, let us carefully examine why remembering apostolic teaching is so vital for us today, and how it can transform our walk with the Lord.
1. Apostolic Teaching is the Foundation of Our Faith
The apostles were not ordinary men giving personal opinions; they were chosen witnesses of the resurrection and direct messengers of the Lord’s command. Paul declares, “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19–20).
This means that our faith is not built on human traditions, cultural practices, or worldly wisdom. It rests on the unshakable foundation laid by the apostles, with the Messiah Himself as the cornerstone. To drift away from these teachings is to build on sand; but to remember and obey them is to stand firm upon the rock.
2. Apostolic Teaching Guards Us Against False Doctrines
One of the greatest dangers faced by believers throughout history has been the rise of false teachers. Even in the days of the apostles, many were already twisting the truth and leading others astray. Paul warned Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” (2 Timothy 4:3).
We see this same danger today. Many voices compete for our attention—voices that dilute the truth, replace it with man-made philosophies, or seek to blend the Word of God with worldly ideologies. Remembering apostolic teaching keeps us anchored. It helps us test every message we hear, whether from pulpits, media, or culture, against the eternal Word that the apostles faithfully delivered.
John also reminds us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The only way to test the spirits is by holding fast to what the apostles wrote and taught.
3. Apostolic Teaching Shapes Our Daily Life
Faith is not only about what we believe but also about how we live. The apostles did not only preach about salvation; they also gave instructions about holiness, love, forgiveness, humility, and perseverance. Paul writes, “Brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
These teachings guide our marriages, our families, our work, and our relationships with others. They teach us how to walk in the Spirit, how to pray, how to give, and how to serve. When we neglect them, our daily lives lose direction and purpose. But when we remember them, our lives become testimonies of the power of God.
4. Apostolic Teaching Strengthens Unity Among Believers
One of the marks of the early followers was their unity. The book of Acts describes them as being “of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32). This unity was not produced by human effort but by their devotion to the apostles’ teaching.
The Word of God is what binds us together. Without it, assemblies break apart, disagreements grow, and division takes root. But when we submit ourselves to the same teaching, the Spirit brings harmony. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
When we remember apostolic teaching, we avoid the dangers of building our own personal doctrines. Instead, we become one family, nourished by the same truth, walking in the same light, and moving toward the same goal.
5. Apostolic Teaching Keeps Our Hope Alive
The apostles not only reminded believers about holy living; they also gave constant encouragement about the hope of eternal life. Peter writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
In times of trial, persecution, or suffering, this teaching lifts our eyes beyond the present struggles to the glorious future that awaits. The apostles urged believers never to give up, because the coming of the Lord is certain, and the crown of life is promised to those who endure.
Today, as many are weighed down by hardships, disappointments, and the darkness of this age, remembering apostolic teaching rekindles our hope. It reminds us that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims passing through, awaiting the city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10).
6. Apostolic Teaching Preserves the Gospel for Future Generations
Another reason we must remember apostolic teaching is so that we can pass it on faithfully to the next generation. Paul instructed Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
The message of salvation and truth is not meant to end with us. We are called to be custodians of this treasure, ensuring that our children and the generations to come know the same truth that was delivered once and for all to the saints (Jude 3).
When we forget apostolic teaching, we risk raising a generation that knows nothing of the Lord or His ways. But when we faithfully remember and teach it, we secure a future where the light of truth continues to shine.
Practical Steps to Remember Apostolic Teaching
- Study the Scriptures Daily – Like the Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11), we must make the Word our daily bread.
- Meditate on the Word – Do not only read but let the teaching sink deep into your heart (Psalm 1:2).
- Obey the Teaching – The blessing comes not in hearing only but in doing (James 1:22).
- Teach Others – Share the truth with family, friends, and all who will listen, so the Word spreads.
- Guard Against Substitutes – Compare every new teaching, vision, or philosophy with the apostles’ doctrine. If it does not align, reject it.
- Pray for Understanding – The Spirit who inspired the apostles is the same Spirit who will give us insight today (John 14:26).
Conclusion
The importance of remembering apostolic teaching cannot be overstated. It is the foundation of our faith, the safeguard against error, the guide for holy living, the source of unity, the anchor of our hope, and the treasure we must pass on to future generations.
The early followers of the Lord did not grow strong by accident; they devoted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine. Likewise, if we desire to be steadfast, fruitful, and faithful until the end, we too must continually return to the words handed down by those chosen witnesses.
Let us not be swayed by the winds of new trends or the lure of human wisdom. Instead, let us stand firm on the eternal truth delivered to us, remembering always the exhortation of Paul: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
May the Lord help us to remember, obey, and live by apostolic teaching, so that our lives will shine with His light and bring glory to His name.