John chapter 6 specifically describes the selection process of the Twelve Apostles starting with the building up of the disciples and the multitude through teaching and miracles, and ending with only the Twelve remaining, whom God had specifically chosen ahead of time. I encourage everyone here to take 10 minutes and re-read the entire chapter. I disagree. Disciples do not =apostles.
Jesus had many many disciples but only 12 apostles. This chapter speaks to the disciples.
This is a great predestination chapter
Jhn 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Jhn 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father
.Jhn 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jhn 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
You are confusing Apostles and disciples. Jesus had 12 Apostles the story of their individual call is found in scripture
He had 72 disciples Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
"Disciple" came from the Greek "math-ay-tes" meaning learner, or student. All those who followed Jesus specifically to learn from Him was a disciple.
Apostle came from the Greek "ap-os-tol-os" meaning messenger, or ambassador. These served as the foundation of the Christian Church.
All apostles were disciples, but not all disciples became apostles. (ref. John 6:66)
The twelve disciples did not become the twelve apostles until after the crucifixion when Jesus was raised up, had breathed the Holy Spirit onto the Twelve, taught them, and sent them out into the world as messengers in His wake. Of course, this was also after Judas was replaced by Matthias.
So, you are right! I was premature in describing them as apostles instead of disciples. That would be in the future and one of them would not make the final cut. I will be sure to correct this in my future commentary. Thank you!
Still, at the beginning of John Chapter 6 Jesus had a large following and at the end of John Chapter 6 Jesus had only the pre-selected twelve *disciples* (caught myself that time:-).
The brunt of Chapter 6 is the historical "how and why" He weeded out His disciples. John is completely historical in his writing here. I agree that it *is* a great predestination chapter. But it is also very clear this predestination applied here only to the pre-selected twelve disciples. Jesus confirmed this in John 6:70 saying specifically "Have not I chosen you twelve".
Again, I totally agree that the selection of the twelve disciples was predestined. Jesus knew who they would be long before He began weeding (or cast'ing out) those who would not be numbered among the twelve. But I totally disagree that this historical account of the "elect" disciples' selection is solid footing for the foundation of an entire predestination theology.
John wrote this as a history, and I accept it as a history (and what an incredible history it is!).