For Apostles Only?

    Was the miracles that were wrought at the hands of the apostles, only for the apostles? Have signs and wonders passed away? I dare say they have not. But to be sure we will look at God's Word to determine the truth.

"And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (The Gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race). He who believes [that is,] who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him who sets it forth and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe [not apostles only but those who believe]; In My name [Jesus] they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; They will pick up serpents, and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well. So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the lord kept working with them and confirming the message by attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]."      Mark 16:15-20 Amplified

We have assumed that because Jesus was talking to the apostles that these verses were intended only for those eleven since Judas Iscariot was no longer with them, and for their use only. Lets look again closely at verses 16 and 17.

Jesus said "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Pay close attention to the first part of v17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe" "them" is future tense not only would signs follow the apostles as they were sent out but also "them that believe" going forward.       KJV

Lets take a look at another passage of scripture to help clarify that signs and wonders were not just for the apostles, but us as believers today.

"Now after this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others, and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where he Himself was about to come (visit). And He said to them, (There is much ripe grain,) the harvest indeed is abundant, but the farm hands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest".  Luke 10:1-2      Amplified

So here are seventy more appointed outside of the original eleven, and Jesus told them to go ahead of Him before He arrived. Lets look further.

"Whenever you go onto a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, the kingdom of God has come close to you". Luke 10:8-9 Amplified

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you".   Luke 10:17-19    KJV

Jesus goes on to tell them don't be so excited that you have power over the enemy, even though He had given the power to them who were not of the original eleven, but be excited that your name is written in the lambs book of life.

So here we have first the original eleven minus Judas Iscariot, and then Jesus appoints seventy more with the same power as He gave to the original eleven. Not only that, but while the seventy were out casting out devils and healing the sick, Jesus said He saw "Satan as lightning all from heaven."

"Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty. But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the word. And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [that is, of a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah], and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit; and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmeanas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte [convert] from Antioch. These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.         Luke 6:3-6  Amplified

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the People. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake Acts 6:8,10    KJV

Jesus started with twelve minus one added seventy plus Stephen then 1 more, "Mattias" Acts 1:26   KJV,  to replace Judas Iscariot, plus one hundred twenty including "the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren" Acts 1:14  KJV. When the Holy Spirit was poured out in that upper room as they were all in one accord.

So to believe that believers today, are not able to partake or accomplish what the early apostles did is invalidated by the scriptures provided. If that were the case, we would need to remove those scripture passages which are supposed to apply only to the early church and apostles, which would mean God is a respecter of persons, which the scripture clearly states He is not "For God shows no partiality (undue favor, or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another). Romans 2:11   Amplified
"For there is no respect of persons with God". Romans 2:11 KJV